Um, it's a busy day of Fed speak. We're getting Collins on the tape just now. Let's get to Steve Leeman.Morning, Steve. >> Morning, K. Boston Fed President Susan Collins saying it may be appropriate to ease policy a bit further this year if it's supported by the data.Hold on to those two thoughts. I'll come back to them. She says she can sees she sees continued modestly restricted policy stance as being appropriate.So maybe not going as far as the market is priced in. The Fed needs to restore price stabilit ...

The dollar index (DXY00) today is up by +0.43% at a 3-week high.  The dollar is climbing as today’s US economic reports were hawkish for Fed policy.  US Q2 GDP expanded more than expected, weekly jobless claims unexpectedly fell to a 2-month low, and August core (ex-defense and aircraft) capital goods new orders rose more than expected.  Also, today's weakness in stocks boosted some liquidity demand for the dollar.  The dollar added to its gains today on hawkish comments from Kansas City Fed President Jeff ...

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Market Overview - The S&P 500 Index is up +0.67%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index is up +0.46%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index is up +1.19% [1] - September E-mini S&P futures are up +0.63%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures are up +1.19% [1] Economic Indicators - Weekly initial unemployment claims fell by -33,000 to 231,000, indicating a stronger labor market than the expected 240,000 [4] - The September Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey rose by +23.5 to an 8-month high of 23.2, surpassing expectations of 1.7 [4] - August leading indicators fell -0.5% month-over-month, worse than the expected -0.2% [5] Federal Reserve Actions - The Fed cut interest rates by 25 basis points and signaled another 50 basis points of rate cuts by the end of the year [3][8] - Markets are pricing in an 86% chance of a 25 basis points rate cut at the next FOMC meeting on October 28-29 [5] Stock Movements - Intel surged by +25% after Nvidia agreed to invest $5 billion in the company for co-developing chips [2][11] - CrowdStrike Home is up more than +10% following a positive investor briefing on its AI strategy [12] - 89bio increased by +86% after Roche announced its acquisition for $3.5 billion [12] - Darden Restaurants is down more than -9% after forecasting adjusted EPS below consensus [14] - ARM Holdings is down more than -4% following Nvidia's investment in Intel [15]

Inflation Data - The U.S. annual inflation rate accelerated to 2.9% in August 2025, the highest since January, after remaining at 2.7% in June and July [2] - On a monthly basis, the CPI rose 0.4%, exceeding forecasts of 0.3%, driven by persistent gasoline prices and stronger food inflation [3] - Core inflation remained steady at 3.1%, with a monthly increase in core CPI of 0.3%, consistent with July's growth [4] Economic Indicators - The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.3% in Q2 of 2025, rebounding from a 0.5% contraction in Q1, with the figure revised slightly higher from the first estimate of 3% [6] - For Q3 of 2025, total S&P 500 index earnings are expected to increase by 5.1% year-over-year, supported by a 5.9% rise in revenues, with positive revisions trends noted [7] Federal Reserve Policy - There is a 92.5% chance of a 25-basis point rate cut in the September meeting, while the likelihood of a 50-basis point cut is 7.5%, with expectations shifting due to the recent inflation data [8] Investment Opportunities - In light of the economic conditions and potential moderate rate cuts, several large-cap blend ETFs are highlighted as attractive options, including: - First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW) – Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [9] - iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) – Zacks Rank 2 [9] - iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) – Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [9] - iShares S&P 100 ETF (OEF) – Zacks Rank 2 [9] - Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) – Zacks Rank 2 [10]

Economic Indicators - The recent jobless claims report showed an unexpected increase to 263,000, which is significantly higher than the anticipated 212,000, indicating potential labor market weakness [2][4] - Inflation numbers are reported at 2.9% year-over-year and 3.1% on core, suggesting persistent inflationary pressures despite expectations [3][4] Federal Reserve Implications - The Federal Reserve may face challenges in its monetary policy decisions due to the labor market's potential weakening, which could necessitate a rate cut if the jobless claims trend continues [4][11] - If inflation remains stable, the Fed might consider a modest rate cut of 25 basis points [4] Market Dynamics - There is a significant amount of capital sitting in Treasury bills, indicating that large institutions may not be fully engaged in the stock market [8] - The stock market is expected to see upward movement, with predictions of the Dow approaching 50,000 in the fourth quarter [9] Gold and Alternative Investments - Gold has recently broken its inflation-adjusted all-time high, suggesting strong investor interest and potential for continued growth in this asset class [14] - The ongoing competition between gold and Bitcoin is anticipated, highlighting the evolving landscape of alternative investments [15]

Core Viewpoint - The content emphasizes the importance of conducting personal due diligence and consulting competent advisors before making any financial decisions, particularly in the context of investments and trading [1]. Group 1 - The website provides general news, personal analysis, and third-party content intended for educational and research purposes [1]. - It explicitly states that the information does not constitute any recommendation or advice for investment actions [1]. - Users are advised to perform their own research and consider their financial situation before making decisions [1]. Group 2 - The website includes information about complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs), which carry a high risk of losing money [1]. - It encourages users to understand how these instruments work and the associated risks before investing [1].

Core Viewpoint - The content emphasizes the importance of conducting personal due diligence and consulting competent advisors before making any financial decisions, particularly in the context of investments and trading activities [1]. Group 1 - The website provides general news, personal analysis, and third-party content intended for educational and research purposes [1]. - It explicitly states that the information does not constitute any recommendation or advice for investment actions [1]. - Users are advised to perform their own research and consider their financial situation before making decisions [1]. Group 2 - The website includes information about complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs), which carry a high risk of losing money [1]. - It encourages users to understand how these instruments work and the associated risks before investing [1].

Core Insights - The article discusses the current trends and developments in the cryptocurrency market, highlighting the increasing interest from institutional investors and the potential for future growth in this sector [3]. Group 1: Market Trends - There is a notable rise in institutional investment in cryptocurrencies, indicating a shift in market dynamics and greater acceptance of digital assets [3]. - The volatility of cryptocurrencies continues to attract both retail and institutional investors, with many viewing it as a hedge against inflation [3]. Group 2: Future Outlook - Analysts predict that the cryptocurrency market will continue to evolve, with advancements in technology and regulatory frameworks playing a crucial role in shaping its future [3]. - The potential for mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies is increasing, driven by innovations in blockchain technology and growing interest from traditional financial institutions [3].