S&P 500, Nasdaq close at records; Deckers soars on UGG demand
ADVERTISEMENT European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday in Scotland after EU officials and diplomats said they expected to reach a framework trade deal this weekend. Trump said earlier that the odds of a U.S.-EU trade deal were "50-50".
Deckers Outdoor soared 11% after results beat quarterly estimates, with strong demand in international markets.
Intel tumbled 8.5% after the chipmaker forecast steeper quarterly losses than expected and announced plans to slash jobs. Wall Street has surged to record highs in recent weeks, thanks to upbeat quarterly earnings, trade deals with Japan and the Philippines, and expectations that the White House will cement more agreements to avoid elevated tariffs threatened by Trump. "The market has been anticipating that the deals are going to get done," said Thomas Martin, Senior Portfolio Manager at GLOBALT in Atlanta. "Personally, I have a bit more skepticism. You've got to be careful, because if they don't get done, there is more room for disappointment than there is upside."
ADVERTISEMENT The S&P 500 climbed 0.40% to end the session at 6,388.64 points. The Nasdaq gained 0.24% to 21,108.32 points, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.47% to 44,901.92 points.
ADVERTISEMENT Nine of the 11 S&P 500 sector indexes rose, led by materials, up 1.17%, followed by a 0.98% gain in industrials. For the week, the S&P 500 climbed 1.5%, the Nasdaq added 1% and the Dow rose 1.3%.
ADVERTISEMENT The S&P 500 set a closing record every day this week. The last time the index had a "perfect week" of closing highs, Monday through Friday, was in November 2021, according to Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Investors next week will focus on the U.S. Federal Reserve, with policymakers on Thursday expected to hold interest rates steady as the central bank weighs the impact of tariffs on inflation.
ADVERTISEMENT Traders see about a 60% chance of a rate cut in September, according to CME's FedWatch tool. Trump said on Friday he believed that Fed Chair Jerome Powell might be ready to lower rates. Trump made a rare visit to the Fed on Thursday after calling Powell a "numbskull" earlier in the week for failing to slash rates. Charter Communications slumped 18% after the cable giant reported a deeper-than-expected broadband subscriber loss, hurt by competition from wireless carriers bundling high-speed internet services with 5G mobile plans. Paramount Global dipped 1.6% after U.S. regulators approved its $8.4-billion merger with Skydance Media. Health insurer Centene rose 6.1% after it said it expects to deliver improved profitability in its three government-backed healthcare insurance businesses in 2026. S&P 500 companies are expected on average to increase their second-quarter earnings by 7.7% year over year, according to LSEG I/B/E/S, with most of those gains coming from heavyweight tech-related companies. Companies reporting next week include Microsoft , Apple, Amazon and Meta Platforms. Advancing issues outnumbered falling ones within the S&P 500 by a two-to-one ratio. The S&P 500 posted 45 new highs and 6 new lows; the Nasdaq recorded 68 new highs and 54 new lows. Volume on U.S. exchanges was relatively light, with 17.7 billion shares traded, compared to an average of 18.1 billion shares over the previous 20 sessions.
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Mint
35 minutes ago
- Mint
Trump perfects the art of making powerful people squirm on camera
President Trump waited for the lights to dim to show a politically charged film to visiting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He sat patiently until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy exploded after being lectured by Vice President JD Vance. And on Thursday, Trump confronted Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell with a piece of paper he pulled out of his pocket, alleging construction cost overruns. In each instance, TV cameras were rolling, providing coverage of Trump's target squirming or arguing with the president of the United States. One of the hallmarks of Trump's second term has been his ability to put others on the spot, forcing them to either think quickly or react in a way that might give him an advantage or new insight into the leader. He often deploys the technique against officials who are accustomed to niceties in public (and knife-fighting behind closed doors), making diplomacy and negotiations into something closer to a reality TV show. 'What do you think, huh? This is—this is going to be great television, I will say that," Trump said to reporters after chastising Zelensky in February. Those who have worked with Trump for years explain the behavior in various ways. Particularly when meeting with foreign leaders, Trump will absorb a briefing ahead of time, but has what one former administration official from the first term called 'an innate feel" for meetings. He likes to push leaders, probe for weaknesses and determine whether he can catch them off guard. Trump is confident in his own ability to adapt and freestyle, the person said. A current White House official said that a lot of times before the surprise, the president says he simply wants the public to see what's going on behind closed doors. Part of it is about transparency, the official said. Trump's surprise visit to the Fed on Thursday served two purposes: add public pressure on Powell to lower interest rates and put a spotlight on central-bank building renovations as a way to undercut the Fed chair. Recently, Trump has been elevating a theory that the pricey overhaul to Fed buildings in Washington could be a way to embarrass Powell and even get rid of him. When Trump learned that administration officials were going to tour the building, he was eager to participate himself, according to a person familiar with the matter. He brought along an estimate of construction costs, which he pulled out of his suit pocket in dramatic fashion, handing it to Powell in front of cameras. A meme later circulated online of a bespectacled Powell studying the piece of paper. The results of Trump's tactics have caused unexpected outcomes: Zelensky lost his cool after being prodded by Vance and later Trump, causing a fissure in the U.S.-Ukrainian relationship that took weeks to get back on track. The film shown to the South African president alleging evidence of white genocide generated a separate news cycle about how the White House took video footage out of context. In May, President Trump handed articles to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that he said documented the killing of white South Africans. Knowing that Trump could unexpectedly put them on the spot, world leaders have traded tips on what to expect at the White House and have studied recent Oval Office meetings. After Trump invited the press to a closed-door lunch with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, she passed along advice to European colleagues to be ready for surprises, according to people familiar with the matter. But not everyone comes prepared for Trump's guerrilla diplomacy. In April, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was taken by surprise when White House aides unexpectedly brought her into the Oval Office as Trump signed executive orders opening investigations into political critics with a room full of reporters. The Democratic star tried to hide behind a binder, but Trump called on her to speak. 'I was brought in for what I thought was a one-on-one meeting, and when I walked in the room I quickly realized that was not the case, and I grabbed one of his staffers and was like, 'what is happening here?'" Whitmer said on 'Pod Save America." The governor said at one point she left the Oval Office to do damage control and told her staff she didn't want to be associated with Trump's executive order. When Trump visited Michigan later that month for a celebration marking his first 100 days in office at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Whitmer was once again taken off guard when he invited her to the lectern. For Trump, the surprises help him drive a narrative or unnerve his rivals. During the 2016 campaign, Trump and his advisers, including Steve Bannon, caught Hillary Clinton and her campaign off guard ahead of a presidential debate by holding a press conference with Trump and four women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual abuse. The women were then seated in the audience, and in view of TV cameras. Write to Meridith McGraw at and Annie Linskey at

Hindustan Times
41 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
US trade policy shift: Response to China's resource dominance
In recent years, the dynamics of global trade and economic relationships have undergone significant transformations, particularly in the context of US-China relations. Donald Trump's administration introduced a notable shift in trade policy, reflecting growing concerns over international resource competition. This change marked a departure from past practices, focusing instead on trade as a means to strengthen the American economy in the face of emerging challenges. One of the most pivotal factors in this policy evolution was China's increasing dominance over critical resources, leading to strategic decisions aimed at safeguarding US interests. President Donald Trump's policy shift from aid to trade is significantly driven by China's rapid acquisition of critical resources, although broader economic and strategic objectives also influenced it. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo(REUTERS) Trump's presidency marked a notable pivot in US foreign and economic policy, moving away from providing financial aid to other countries and toward emphasising trade relationships. This America First approach prioritised economic exchanges—such as goods and services—over traditional development assistance, aiming to bolster US economic strength and security. China's growing dominance over critical resources, particularly rare earth minerals, played a key role in shaping this shift. These resources are essential for industries like technology, defence, and manufacturing. For example, China controls a significant portion of global rare earth production, which includes elements vital for a wide range of applications, from smartphones to military equipment. This dominance raised alarms in the US about economic and national security vulnerabilities, as reliance on China for these materials could leave the US at a strategic disadvantage. Trump's administration viewed China's resource control as a threat and responded by leveraging trade as a tool to counter it. The Trump administration's key actions included tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese goods to pressure China into making concessions and to reduce US dependency on Chinese supply chains, including those tied to critical resources. He invoked wartime powers to expand US mineral production, aiming to lessen reliance on China and secure alternative supply chains. The broader trade war with China, which intensified during his presidency, targeted not just trade imbalances but also China's strategic advantages in resource-heavy sectors. These measures were designed to protect US interests by rebuilding domestic manufacturing and reducing vulnerability to China's resource dominance. While China's actions were a major driver, Trump's shift from aid to trade wasn't solely about China. His economic nationalism also focused on reducing trade deficits with multiple countries, not just China. Renegotiating trade deals with allies like Canada and Mexico (e.g., the USMCA). These efforts reflect a comprehensive strategy to prioritise US economic self-reliance and competitiveness, of which countering China was a critical component. The Trump administration's 2025 mineral deal with Ukraine establishes a joint investment fund to tap into the country's $2–15 trillion in critical minerals, like lithium and rare earths, essential for AI, EVs, and defence tech. This agreement, a shift from demanding Ukraine repay $500 billion in US aid, grants the US 50% of future royalties from new mineral licences while supporting Kyiv's economic recovery. In Africa, particularly in the DRC and Rwanda, the US is promoting peace and economic agreements to secure cobalt and coltan, two vital resources for batteries and electronics and aiming to stabilise conflict zones and enable American investment. These deals reflect Trump's transactional approach, prioritising economic leverage over traditional aid, but face hurdles like Ukraine's war-damaged infrastructure and the DRC's ongoing violence, which deter private-sector commitment. The deals aim to counter China's dominance in critical mineral supply chains, reducing US reliance on Beijing for tech and green energy resources while challenging Russia's influence in both regions. In Ukraine, the agreement aligns with Trump's diplomacy to engage Moscow while securing economic benefits, though it risks exploiting Kyiv's resources without firm security guarantees. In Africa, stabilising the DRC could unlock vast mineral wealth, but competition with China's entrenched presence and local corruption complicates execution. Both initiatives signal a broader US strategy to reshape global supply chains and geopolitics, striking a balance between economic self-interest and regional stability; yet, their success hinges on maintaining peace and sustaining investment. Finally, China's rapid takeover of critical resources, particularly rare earth minerals essential for high-tech industries, significantly influenced the shift in US trade policy during the Trump administration. In response to this challenge, Trump implemented trade policies such as tariffs, aimed at levelling the playing field against perceived unfair practices by China, as well as initiatives to boost domestic production and diversify supply chains away from Chinese reliance. This shift was rooted in economic nationalism, prioritising American manufacturing and job creation, while also addressing national security concerns tied to resource dependency. The focus on rare earth minerals highlighted the strategic implications of China's dominance in the global supply of these resources, prompting efforts to reinforce domestic capabilities and establish partnerships with allies. Ultimately, the US approach to China during this period reflected a complex strategy aimed at safeguarding national interests while balancing immediate economic threats and long-term aspirations for a more resilient economy. This article is authored by Pravesh Kumar Gupta, associate fellow (Eurasia), Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'US citizenship test too easy': USCIS director says Trump administration will change this because...
USCIS director said US citizenship test is so easy that one can memorize the answers and pass. US Citizenship and Immigration Services director Joseph Edlow said the existing citizenship test to get US citizenship is too easy and apart from the sweeping immigration overhaul that is being planned by the Donald Trump administration, they want to change the test as well. In an interview with the NYT, Edlow said the test is such that one can memorize the answers easily and pass the test. According to the existing test pattern, immigrants study 100 civics questions and then respond correctly to six out of 10 questions to pass that portion of the test. In the first term of the administration, the USCIS increased the number of questions and required applicants to respond correctly to 12 out of 20 questions. Edlow said the agency plans to return to a version of what they had at that time. 'The test as it's laid out right now, it's not very difficult,' Edlow said. 'It's very easy to kind of memorize the answers. I don't think we're really comporting with the spirit of the law.' 'It should be a net positive' Edlow said granting citizenship should be a net positive. 'And if we're looking at the people that are coming over, that are especially coming over to advance certain economic agendas that we have and otherwise benefit the national interest — that's absolutely what we need to be taking care of.' 'I really do think that the way H-1B needs to be used, and this is one of my favorite phrases, is to, along with a lot of other parts of immigration, supplement, not supplant, US economy and US businesses and US workers,' Edlow said. Trump, Vance on immigration Both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance sent a strong message to the tech companies, asking them to hire Americans. At an AI summit, Trump said the globalist mindset of the tech industry leaves Americans out of jobs while these jobs to to China and India. "Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India and stashing profits in Ireland, you know that. All the while dismissing and even censoring their fellow citizens right here at home. Under President Trump, those days are over," he said. "Winning the AI race will demand a new spirit of patriotism and national loyalty in Silicon Valley and long beyond Silicon Valley," Trump said. JD Vance was harsher as he said he does not believe the 'bulls**t' story that these companies can't find workers in America. "That displacement and that math worries me a bit. And what the president has said, he said very clearly: We want the very best and the brightest to make America their home. We want them to build great companies and so forth. But I don't want companies to fire 9,000 American workers and then to go and say, 'We can't find workers here in America. ' That's a bulls**t story," JD said.