Stock market today: Live updates

Wall Street Holds Steady Amid Trade Tensions and Inflation Concerns

Stock futures traded slightly lower Wednesday morning, reflecting investor caution after the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a record-breaking high on Tuesday.Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 60 points, or 0.1%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 futures lost about 0.1% each. Tuesday’s rally came despite persistent worries about persistent inflation and potential disruptions caused by president Donald Trump’s trade policies.

S&P 500 Sets New Record High

Despite these concerns, the S&P 500 index hit a fresh record high on Tuesday, closing at 6,129.58, marking its intraday peak of 6,129.63. “The stock market’s resiliency has been remarkable year-to-date as investors refuse to ‘back down’ in the face of rising negative sentiment and concerns about tariff and inflation headlines,” remarked Craig Johnson, chief market technician at Piper Sandler, in a recent analysis.

Trump’s Trade Threat Sparks Uncertainty

President Trump reignited concerns over tariffs on Tuesday, suggesting the imposition of a 25% tariff on imports of autos, chips, and pharmaceuticals. Such measures,Johnson warned,could trigger further market volatility.

“we expect market conditions to remain choppy as investors rotate ‘down-cap’ amid declining Treasury yields, weakening crude oil, and a pullback in the U.S. dollar.”

Economic Data Points on the Horizon

Investors await key economic releases scheduled for Wednesday. At 8:30 AM ET, January’s housing starts data is expected to shed light on the state of the housing market. Later, at 2 PM ET, minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting will provide further insight into the central bank’s perspective on inflation and potential future monetary policy moves.

In their previous meeting, the Fed kept interest rates unchanged, while expressing continued concern regarding persistent inflation pressures.

Investors remain on edge as trade tensions persist, inflation worries linger, and they await further cues from policymakers.

Considering the market’s resilience in the face of inflation and trade tensions,what specific sectors do you advise investors to focus on,and why?

Archyde Interview: Navigating Market Uncertainties with Thomasina smith,Chief Investment Officer at Orion Capital

Wall Street Steady Amid Trade Tensions and Inflation Concerns

In an era of persistent inflation worries and trade policy uncertainties,Archyde sat down with Thomasina Smith,Chief Investment Officer at Orion Capital,to discuss the state of the stock market,impacts of tariffs,and the road ahead.

Record-breaking S&P 500: A Resilient Market

Archyde: despite ongoing concerns about inflation and trade disputes, the S&P 500 set a fresh record high on Tuesday. How do you interpret this market resilience?

Thomasina Smith: The market’s performance has been remarkable so far this year.Investors seem to be focused on strong corporate earnings and are willing to overlook, or at least price in, negative sentiment and uncertainties like trade wars and inflation fears.

Trump’s Tariff Threat: A Volatility Trigger?

Archyde: President Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff on various imports has sparked uncertainty. How could this impact the markets moving forward?

Thomasina Smith: Such tariffs would likely result in increased costs for businesses,potentially leading to higher prices for consumers,which is another Inflation concern. In turn, this could potentially trigger market volatility, as seen in previous periods of intense trade tensions.

Economic Data and Market Awaits: What Investors Should Watch Out for

Archyde: This week, key economic releases like housing starts and Federal Reserve minutes are expected to provide insights into the state of the housing market and the central bank’s outlook on inflation. How should investors approach these data points?

Thomasina Smith: Investors should certainly pay attention to these releases.The january housing starts data will offer a glimpse into the housing market’s health, while the Fed minutes will provide more colour on the central bank’s take on inflation and potential monetary policy moves. As we navigate current market conditions, these insights can be crucial for making informed decisions.

Archyde: Lastly, given the persistent uncertainties, what piece of advice would you give to investors as we look ahead?

Thomasina Smith: Stay diversified and adaptable. with inflation worries and trade tensions lingering, it’s essential to maintain a balanced portfolio that can weather potential storms. Keep an eye on sectors like technology and healthcare, which tend to do well in periods of uncertainty, and be ready to adjust your strategy as new data comes to light.

Thank you, Thomasina, for your expert insights. As markets continue to grapple with these challenges, investors can take comfort in the wisdom of staying informed and flexible.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.