Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:
The Federal Reserve kept the key funds rate unchanged, but it wasn’t a unanimously welcome move within the central bank. Fed members Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller dissented, marking the first time in more than three decades that a decision got multiple “no” votes. Though investors had largely anticipated the announcement, stocks tumbled as Chair Jerome Powell said there wasn’t a clear decision on what the central bank would do at the next policy gathering in September. However, stock futures climbed on Thursday morning — follow live market updates here.
While Fed-heads were locked in on the meeting Wednesday afternoon, President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on copper imports, beginning Friday. With that, copper is in the same boat as steel and aluminum at the 50% levy rate. Later in the day, Trump announced a deal with South Korea that will set tariffs at 15%. Remember: All this action takes place as the clock counts down to Friday, which is when the White House said it will start requiring tariff payments.
It’s a good morning to be a megacap tech investor. Meta
and Microsoft
