July 7, 2025, New York, USA: A street sign with the words “Wall Street” hangs from a post in front of the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan’s financial district. Photo: Sven Hoppe/DPA (Photo by Sven Hoppe/Picture Alliance by Getty Images)
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September has been far from an ideal month for US stocks over the past few years, with the S&P 500 down over the past five years.
However, things seem to be getting better this time, supported by a surge in bright economic data, including 3.8% second quarter GDP growth and unemployed claims suggesting a resilient labor market.
With only a few days on it, will the market finally end the month with a positive note, despite US President Donald Trump continuing his aggressive tariff policy?
On Friday, Trump announced new tariffs that include furniture, adding new uncertainty to an already volatile market. Investors appeared to be messing up tariffs on Friday, but weekly closings told a different story: attention is creeping up.
Inflation data has now come to line up with expectations. But with a twist, a strong economic signal allows the Fed to actually maintain a reduction rate and curb the Market Bulls. The good news can be bad news for the market.
Still, the S&P 500 has grown by 2.84% so far this month. If everything goes well, it looks like the September jinx is broken this year.
Things you need to know today
The Middle East may benefit from a higher H-1B rate. As Trump raises H-1B visa fees, the lasting push to become the Gulf region’s next global artificial intelligence hub can highlight other regions as it snaps the talent of foreigners facing an uncertain future in the United States.
Vance confident Tiktok is “normally isolated.” US Vice President JD Vance said he was optimistic about the future of Tiktok in the US, saying, “We have separated the company from Tiktok Global and have actually control over people’s data security.” Tiktok has long faced concerns about data collection practices and parental relationships with the Chinese government.
Always a high buffet indicator. Warren Buffett’s one-time favorite yardstick for stock market valuations has risen to an all-time high, reviving the fear that investors are once again testing the market’s vibrancy limits.
The market sees the gatherings. All three major US indexes rose on Friday, but fell a week following the release of significant inflation data. In Asia, the markets are mostly rising, with Hong Kong, China and South Korea in positive territory, while Japan and Taiwan are seeing losses.
(Pro)Intel leads the list of the most over-acquired inventory. The chipmaker’s stocks could be a little longer in the teeth, at least in the short term. Intel has earned over 20% in the past week, seeing nearly 80% profits over the past year. However, this has made the stock deeper into the territory that has been bought deeper.
And finally…
The customer monitors the stock market on the stock exchange in Hangzhou, China on September 27, 2024.
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China’s stock market is on track – is it a boom or a bubble?
China’s stock market saw rapid rally this year, as a step aimed at advancement in artificial intelligence, a step aimed at gaining self-sufficiency in chips, and a campaign to curb the optimism of Price Wars fuel investors.
The mainland’s CSI 300 index has risen by about 16% since the start of the year, hovering near a high of more than three years.
However, as retail investors push the market higher and the Bulls support liquidity and policy, some experts have questioned whether the market is in bubble territory.
– Lee Ying Shan
