Costco(US:COST) Fortuneยท2025-09-26 20:37Market Performance - U.S. stocks experienced a rise on Friday, with the S&P 500 increasing by 0.6%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 299 points (0.7%), and the Nasdaq composite adding 0.4%, helping to reduce weekly losses [1][2] - The S&P 500 closed at 6,643.70, the Dow at 46,247.29, and the Nasdaq at 22,484.07 [8] Inflation and Economic Indicators - Inflation in the U.S. accelerated to 2.7% in August from 2.6% in July, which, while above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, aligned with economists' forecasts [2][3] - Consumer sentiment showed weakness, with a University of Michigan survey indicating frustration with high prices, although inflation expectations for the next 12 months slightly decreased to 4.7% from 4.8% [10][11] Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - The Federal Reserve's potential for continued interest rate cuts is critical for Wall Street, as expectations for these cuts have driven U.S. stocks to record highs since April [3][4] - The Fed recently implemented its first rate cut of the year, but further cuts are uncertain due to concerns about worsening inflation [4] Tariffs and Market Reactions - President Trump's announcement of new tariffs on imports, including pharmaceutical drugs and heavy trucks, has created uncertainty among analysts regarding their ultimate effects on the market [5][6] - Companies like Paccar, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer saw stock increases following the tariff announcement, while home furnishing companies experienced volatility in their stock prices [6][7] International Market Trends - European stock indexes rose after declines in Asia, with France's CAC 40 climbing 1% and South Korea's Kospi dropping 2.5% [9] Upcoming Events - A potential U.S. government shutdown is on the horizon, with a deadline set for next week, but historical data suggests limited impact on the market from such political events [12]