The trader works on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) floor at Opening Bell in New York City on February 12, 2025.
Angela Weiss | AFP | Getty Images
Humans are positive creatures. It allows us to plan for the future, increasing the likelihood of survival and success, but can also defeat us as we are plagued by anxiety and inaction.
There was a delicate tension between these two sides at the market on Thursday.
Monthly readings for the US Producer Price Index for January were slightly hotter than expected. However, some components of PPI have reduced costs, which could lead to soft personal consumption expenditure prices index reports, according to Citigroup estimates.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, despite signing an executive order on mutual tariffs, he immediately refrained from raiding the country with taxes.
In the end, optimism and relief won over fear and worry and rallyed the stocks. This could be the case where “Tomorrow will be better” or “Dealing with the problems tomorrow.” Just as much as we plan and project for the future, there is something we can say.
Things you need to know today
Mutual customs signatures
US President Donald Trump signed the president’s memorandum on Thursday, planning to impose “mutual tariffs” on foreign countries. Under the plan, the US will treat other countries’ non-tariff policies, such as VAT, as unfair trade practices that guarantee tariffs accordingly, Trump said. Mutual tariffs are only effective after the White House has studied the appropriate tariff levels for each affected country.
India and the US aim to trade in $500 billion
New Delhi and Washington will strive to $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a joint press conference with Trump on Thursday. Trump said that when it comes to Trump’s mutual tariffs signed just before his talks with Modi, the same tariffs that India charges while the trade deficit with India can be addressed through oil and gas sales. The US would simply charge it if they just charge a fee, Trump said.
The US market is looking at the bright side
US stocks rose Thursday, saving tech stock rally and Trump’s mutual tariffs that weren’t kicked right away. S&P 500 I climbed 1.04% Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.77% increase Nasdaq Composite It rose 1.5%. The Asia-Pacific market mixed on Friday. Hong Kong Hangsen index Over 2.6% came out, and profits were extended from the previous day, and Japan was Nikkei 225 It fell by 0.8%.
The wholesale price is high, but the inside is soft
The US producer price index for January rose 3.5% that year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. Wholesale prices rose 0.4% that month, up 0.3% from Dow Jones’ estimates. Despite the higher reading than expected, the report’s prices may be cooled down. For example, doctor care fell by 0.5%, while domestic airfares fell by 0.3%, and brokerage prices fell by 2.2%.
Singapore’s economy gives power first
The Singapore economy grew 4.4% in 2024, with the highest growth rate since 2021, Ministry of Trade and Industry data showed Friday. However, authorities expect 2025 to slow GDP growth. The country’s first budget under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will be revealed on February 18th. Analysts look forward to supporting their homes and businesses.
Most likely threat to the (professional) market
According to Piper Sandler, there are three major risks in the stock market. The investment company has drawn its conclusion after seeing 27 revised cases of the S&P 500 over the past 60 years. In particular, one threat is most likely to pull back stocks.
And finally…
After the summit held in Helsinki, Finland on July 16, 2018, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a joint press conference.
Chris McGrath | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Discussions to end the war with Russia are expected to begin, but Ukraine can pay a high price for peace
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky on the phone, saying both leaders said they wanted peace. Trump said he instructed U.S. authorities to begin peace talks soon. Before Trump’s announcement, the US Secretary of Defense poured cold water into Ukraine’s hopes to join the military alliance after Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea and reclaim its lost territory.
Ukraine is awakened to the harsh reality that its biggest ally and benefactor, the United States, can ask its country to pay a high price for peace. Beyond Kiev, European Ukrainian allies appear to be unaware of Trump’s unilateral moves, expressing concern that the continent’s top officials could leave it to bystanders of peace talks Masu.
