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Washington Scales Back Regional Footprint Amid Iranian Warnings

Empty airspace over Iran, during a temporary closure of the country's airspace amid concerns about possible military action between the United States and Iran The United States has begun precautionary drawdowns at several military bases across the Middle East after Iranian officials warned neighbouring countries that American facilities could be targeted in the event of a wider conflict. The adjustments focus on relocating non‑essential personnel and reducing exposure as regional tensions continue to rise. Iran’s message to nearby states underscored its concern that any U.S. military action could spill over into the broader region. By cautioning its neighbours, Tehran signaled both its desire to deter potential strikes and its readiness to respond if provoked. U.S. officials described the moves as prudent rather than predictive, emphasizing that the drawdowns do not indicate an imminent operation. Instead, they reflect a shifting security environment in which Washington is recal...
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Wall Street Rises to Add to Last Week’s Gains

 

World shares tracked Wall Street’s advance today, fueled by cooler-than-expected U.S. employment data. Last week, Wall Street had its best day in more than two months, and today’s gains further contributed to the positive momentum.

Key Highlights:

  1. U.S. Markets:

    • The S&P 500 climbed 1% today, adding to last week’s gains.
    • The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5%.
    • The Nasdaq composite surged 1.2%.
    • Treasury yields remained steady in the bond market.

  2. Global Markets:

    • European markets started the day with gains. Germany’s DAX edged 0.1% higher, and the CAC 40 in Paris also saw modest gains.
    • Asian markets performed well, with the Hang Seng in Hong Kong closing 0.4% higher and the Shanghai Composite index surging 1.2% after a weeklong holiday.
    • Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.7%, and Taiwan’s Taiex gained 1%.
    • Markets in Tokyo and South Korea were closed for holidays.

  3. U.S. Employment Data:

    • The latest private sector survey showed that China’s services sector grew at a slower pace in April due to rising costs, although new orders rose and business sentiment improved.
    • The U.S. added 175,000 jobs last month, down sharply from March’s blockbuster increase of 315,000. Average hourly earnings also rose less than expected.
    • The modest increase in hiring suggests that the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes may be impacting the economy, potentially leading to a shift in interest rate policy.

  4. Tech Stocks:

    • Friday’s market rally was widespread, with technology stocks leading the gains.
    • Apple jumped 6% after announcing a mammoth $110 billion stock buyback, despite reporting its steepest quarterly decline in iPhone sales since the pandemic began.

In summary, Wall Street’s positive performance today reflects optimism fueled by economic data and strong tech sector gains. Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s next moves as they consider potential interest rate adjustments.

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