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Stocks Rally on Hopes of Trade Deals

Rich Asplund

6 min read

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Inside NYSE by Orhan Akkurt via Shutterstock

Inside NYSE by Orhan Akkurt via Shutterstock

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.58%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.89%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up +0.52%.  September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) are up +0.53%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) are up +0.50%.

Stock indexes today are extending this week's rally, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 posting new all-time highs, and the Dow Jones Industrials posting a 3-3/4 month high.  Positive trade news is buoying stocks today as the US moves closer to trade deals with China and other trading partners.  Stocks added to their gains today after the University of Michigan's US June consumer sentiment index improved, as inflation expectations unexpectedly declined. Stocks remained higher despite the weaker-than-expected US May personal spending and income reports, as well as the stronger-than-expected May core PCE price index.

US Commerce Secretary Lutnick said that the US and China had finalized a trade understanding reached last month in Geneva, including a commitment from China to deliver rare earth materials.  China's Commerce Ministry also confirmed the agreement and stated that it will review and approve eligible applications for the export of controlled items, and the US will cancel the restrictive measures taken against China.  In addition, Commerce Secretary Lutnick said the White House has imminent plans to reach agreements with a set of 10 major trading partners ahead of a July 9 deadline for reciprocal tariffs.  Meanwhile, the Treasury Department announced a deal with G-7 countries that will exclude US companies from some taxes imposed by other countries in exchange for removing the "revenge tax" proposal from President Trump's tax bill.

US May personal spending unexpectedly fell -0.1% m/m, weaker than expectations of a +0.1% m/m increase.  May personal income unexpectedly fell -0.5% m/m, weaker than expectations of +0.3% m/m and the biggest decline in more than 3-1/2 years.

The US May core PCE price index, the Fed's preferred gauge of underlying inflation, rose +0.2% m/m and +2.7% y/y, stronger than expectations of +0.1% m/m and +2.6% y/y.

The University of Michigan US Jun consumer sentiment index was revised upward by +0.2 to 60.7, stronger than expectations of no change at 60.5.

The University of Michigan US Jun 1-year inflation expectations were unexpectedly revised lower to 5.0%, weaker than expectations of an upward revision to 5.2%. The 5-10 year inflation expectations were revised downward to 4.0%, weaker than expectations of no change at 4.1%.