Keu Takeaways
- Softer-than-expected U.S. CPI numbers boosted investor expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut.
- Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are set for Aug. 15, keeping geopolitical tensions in focus amid continued strikes and drone attacks.
- U.S.–China tariff truce extension eases trade tensions, lifting Japan’s Nikkei and Australia’s ASX to record highs
- Bitcoin holds firm around $119K showing resilience amid global market uncertainty
Geopolitics & Market Sentiment
Markets on Aug. 13 traded with a cautiously optimistic tone, fueled by a combination of softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data, the 90-day extension of the U.S.–China tariff truce, and the anticipation of the upcoming Alaska meeting.
On the economic front, July’s Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% from the prior month and 2.7% year-on-year, slightly below the 2.8% forecast. Meanwhile, core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3% on the month and 3.1% from a year earlier, its largest gain since January.
The data reinforced expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts, with market odds for a September cut rising from 85% to 90%. Additionally, the dovish repricing weakened the U.S. dollar and lifted U.S. equities, particularly small-cap stocks. In commodities, Gold extended its decline after the White House reassured markets it would not impose new tariffs, while oil prices steadied ahead of U.S.–Russia talks.
In crypto, Bitcoin climbed toward 119,000 dollars, Ethereum surged to its highest since December 2021, and Ripple advanced after the SEC formally ended its long-running legal battle with Ripple Labs.
On the diplomatic front, Washington and Beijing agreed to extend their tariff truce, easing tensions in the short term and giving Asian markets a boost, with Japan’s Nikkei and Australia’s ASX both hitting record highs.
On the Russia–Ukraine front, President Donald Trump confirmed he will meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15 for what he described as a “feel-out” meeting, aiming to eventually bring Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy together for truce talks.
Despite diplomatic efforts, both sides remain far apart, with Ukraine demanding the return of occupied territories and Russia refusing to give them up. On the ground, Russian strikes on Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia persisted, while Ukraine intensified drone attacks deep inside Russian territory, targeting military sites and infrastructure.
Global Indices
- S&P 500 Index (SPX): 6,445.75 (+1.13%)
- Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI): 44,458.61 (+1.10%)
- Nasdaq Composite Index (IXIC): 21,681.90 (+1.39%)
- Nikkei 225 Futures (NK225): 43,280.0 (+1.50%)
- Euronext 100 Index (N100): 1,587.17 (+0.56%)
- FTSE 100 (UKX): 9,167.8 (−0.04%)
Major Stocks
- Nvidia (NVDA): 183.10 (+0.60%)
- Tesla (TSLA): 340.84 (+0.53%)
- Microsoft (MSFT): 529.24 (+1.43%)
- Meta Platforms (META): 790.00 (+3.15%)
- Apple (AAPL): 229.65 (+1.09%)
- Amazon (AMZN): 221.47 (+0.08%)
Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTCUSD): 120,145 (+1.21%)
- Ethereum (ETHUSDT): 4,608.49 (+9.12%)
- Binance Coin (BNBUSDT): 835.17 (+3.74%)
- Solana (SOLUSDT): 192.41 (+10.05%)
- BTC Dominance: 59.66% (−1.75%)
Commodities
- Silver (XAGUSD): 37.913 (+0.09%)
- Gold (XAUUSD): 3,351.748 (+0.10%)
- WTI Crude Oil (USOIL): 63.40 (+0.08%)
- Brent Crude (BRENT): 68.166 (−3.68%)
Forex
- U.S. Dollar Index (DXY): 97.625 (−0.46%)
- EUR/USD: 1.16759 (+0.02%)
- GBP/USD: 1.35013 (+0.03%)
- USD/JPY: 147.80 (−0.02%)
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