US stocks are trading at record levels with earnings season right around the corner, and improving expectations for Corporate America’s profit growth indicate that the rally can keep going. Among the companies in the S&P 500 Index that provided guidance for their third-quarter results, more than 22% were expecting to beat analysts’ expectations — the highest reading in a year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence. In addition, the share of firms issuing worse-than-expected profit forecasts ...

South Africa expressed cautious optimism over progress in trade talks with the US, a month after President Donald Trump slapped the nation with 30% tariffs on its exports https://t.co/8ZQcVUqIgf ...

Global trade has grown more uncertain, with tariffs hardening into a new economic reality for businesses in the United States.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.For mid-market companies, the challenge ...

Cambodia expects investment to keep flowing into labor-intensive industries across Southeast Asia despite US tariffs https://t.co/BP9EbdBHGs ...

All right, great pleasure. We bring in Joe Leavia, counselor to the Treasury Secretary. Joe, welcome as always.Um, our good friend, yours and mine, Steve Moore, wrote a piece today in the Wall Street Journal. Trump's tariffs on aluminum kill US factory jobs. They're costly for companies that use the metal to make things, including recyclers.I just wanted Steve's going to be on in a moment after you after the break. You have a thought on that. What is the rebuttal from the administration.Larry, Steve is a gr ...

Group 1: Market Reactions to Tariffs - The introduction of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports in February 2025 led to modest gains in broader market indices, while domestic steel companies saw significant stock price increases [3] - Following the announcement of a doubling of tariffs to 50% in June 2025, futures markets dipped, but domestic steel companies like Cleveland-Cliffs and Nucor experienced substantial pre-market gains [3] - A proposed 100% tariff on foreign-made films in May 2025 resulted in immediate losses for major Hollywood players, highlighting the potential contradictions in tariff impacts on different sectors [4] Group 2: Impact on Pharmaceuticals and Semiconductors - Threats of tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors created volatility, with US-listed pharmaceutical stocks initially gaining but foreign counterparts suffering significant losses [5] - By April 2025, global pharmaceutical stocks experienced declines of 6% or more following tariff threats, indicating the broader market's sensitivity to trade policy [5] - President Trump's comments on drug pricing in May 2025 further impacted pharmaceutical stocks, demonstrating the uncertainty surrounding trade and policy [5] Group 3: Market Volatility and Recovery - The "Liberation Day" on April 2, 2025, led to a dramatic market crash, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly 20% and wiping out approximately $6.6 trillion from the US stock market [6] - A subsequent "tariff pause" announced on April 9, 2025, resulted in a market surge, indicating investor relief and the potential for negotiation in trade policies [7] - Despite ongoing tariff threats, the US stock market reached new record highs in September 2025, attributed to expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts and significant gains in the semiconductor sector [11][12] Group 4: Influence of Digital Communication - President Trump's use of Truth Social has shown to influence market sentiment, as seen with a declaration of an Iran-Israel ceasefire that positively affected Indian markets [9] - Even casual musings on Truth Social regarding quarterly earnings reporting have contributed to the ongoing policy uncertainty affecting market dynamics [10] Group 5: Overall Market Trends - Despite challenges from tariffs and a weak manufacturing sector, the US stock market has managed to defy expectations, with indices closing at record highs in September 2025 [11] - Analysts estimate that changes to US trade policy could subtract 0.4% from global GDP in 2025, yet the market continues to reach new highs, suggesting a complex relationship between trade policy and market performance [12]

Group 1: AI Investment Opportunity - Artificial intelligence is considered the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgency to invest now [1] - Wall Street is investing hundreds of billions into AI technologies, but there is a critical question regarding the energy supply needed to support this growth [2] - AI technologies, particularly data centers for large language models, consume vast amounts of energy, comparable to that of small cities, leading to concerns about power grid strain and rising electricity prices [2] Group 2: Company Overview - A specific company is highlighted as a key player in the AI energy sector, owning critical energy infrastructure assets that are essential for meeting the increasing energy demands of AI [3][6] - This company is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned to benefit significantly from the anticipated surge in electricity demand driven by AI [3] - The company is involved in nuclear energy infrastructure, which is crucial for America's future power strategy, and is capable of executing large-scale engineering projects across various energy sectors [7] Group 3: Financial Position - The company is noted for being completely debt-free and has a substantial cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization [8] - It also holds a significant equity stake in another AI-related company, providing investors with indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities without the associated premium costs [9] - The company is trading at less than 7 times earnings, indicating a potentially undervalued investment opportunity in the AI and energy sectors [10] Group 4: Market Trends and Future Outlook - The ongoing trends of AI infrastructure development, onshoring due to tariffs, and a surge in U.S. LNG exports are all interconnected, with this company positioned to capitalize on these developments [14] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive continuous innovation and advancements, making investments in AI a strategic move for future growth [12] - The overall sentiment is that investing in AI is not just about financial returns but also about being part of a transformative technological revolution [15]

Coffee prices skyrocketing almost 21% over the past year. Rising temperatures and droughts in Brazil along with historic flooding in Vietnam destroyed coffee crops in those top exporters. But now another blow to the beloved cup of Joe. In August, President Trump bringing total tariffs on Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, to a whopping 50%, the highest in the world next to India. And that's huge because Brazil grows more than a third of all the coffee consumed in the US. typically the president us ...

Vietnam is using the age-old tactic of currency depreciation to gain a competitive advantage over its Southeast Asian peers as nations look for ways to ease the burden from Trump’s tariffs https://t.co/fjwvpn1Kzk ...

Let's stay on bonds and stocks and markets because we've got new highs across the board for equities. Nearly all major averages on pace for new records. The market seems to have adjusted to tariffs.But what happens if the Supreme Court rules that the tariffs are actually illegal. Would that hurt America's massive debt load. Let's talk about that and more.Joe Leavone is well known to our audience as a markets guy, but now serves as counselor to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant. Joe, good to have you on the p ...