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Tariff Costs Put New Pressure on U.S. Corporate Profits

Rising tariff expenses are beginning to weigh heavily on U.S. companies, prompting executives across multiple industries to warn that profit margins may tighten in the months ahead. Many firms had initially suggested they could manage the added costs through efficiency improvements or selective price increases, but that confidence is fading as import-related expenses continue to climb. Companies that rely on global supply chains are feeling the strain most acutely. Higher costs on imported materials and components are forcing difficult decisions: pass the increases on to consumers, risking weaker demand, or absorb the costs internally, which directly erodes profitability. For many businesses, neither option is attractive. Consumer-facing brands are finding it especially challenging to raise prices further, as shoppers show growing sensitivity to even modest increases. This resistance limits the ability of firms to offset tariff-driven expenses, creating a squeeze that is beginning t...
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Stock Market Today: Dow Extends Slide as Lackluster Earnings and Rate Fears Weigh on Investors’ Spirits

 

US stocks faced further losses on Thursday, with lingering concerns about higher-for-longer interest rates and a Salesforce sell-off dampening investor spirits. Here are the key points from today’s market:

  1. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI): The Dow sank as much as 1%, shedding roughly 380 points, following Wednesday’s stock market slide. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) dropped about 0.6%, while the broader S&P 500 (GSPC) fell 0.5%.

  2. Interest Rate Worries: Renewed gloom about the odds for rate cuts contributed to the stock market decline. Data showed less cooling in inflation than the Federal Reserve desires, driving US bond yields to their highest levels since early May. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield hovered around 4.6%.

  3. Salesforce Results: Salesforce (CRM) reported that sales growth would stall to the slowest rate in its history, causing its shares to slide 15%. This sparked concerns about likely losers in the AI boom.

  4. US Economic Growth: The Bureau of Economic Analysis revised the first-quarter US gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate to 1.3%, down from the initial reading of 1.6% in April.

  5. Retail Earnings: Retailers Kohl’s (KSS) and Best Buy (BBY) provided clues to consumer resilience and economic health. Kohl’s shares cratered after a surprise quarterly loss and a cut to its annual sales forecast, while Best Buy posted a bigger drop in comparable sales than expected.

Despite these challenges, investors remain watchful for any signs of economic recovery and potential market shifts. 



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