Resilient Trump Lifted by Improved View of the Economy, WSJ Poll Finds
The set of turbulent recent events, which also has included the administration's aggressive deportation program and the U.S. bombing of Iran's nuclear sites, has failed either to dent or improve the public's overall view of the president. Some 46% approve of his job performance—unchanged from April—with 52% disapproving.
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Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump Plans to Give up to 12 Days for Putin to Agree to Ukraine Deal
While in Scotland, President Trump said he is 'disappointed' in Russian President Vladimir Putin for not yet reaching a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
This is the Most Dangerous Week for Investors in 20 Years
This might be the most critical week for investors in years. In fact, in over two decades of investing, and more than a decade as a professional analyst, I've never seen a single week with this many potentially market-moving headlines. Between earnings surprises, critical inflation and jobs data, a Federal Reserve decision, and a looming tariff cliff, investors are facing a powder keg of risk. The S&P 500 might be flirting with record highs, but August 1st could bring a shift. I'll walk you through each of the market-moving headlines to watch in this week's stock market update. Why August 1 Matters More than You Think Trump's proposed tariffs would affect major trading partners with rates up to 35% if deals aren't finalized by the Friday deadline. China, Canada, Mexico, and the EU are all in last-minute negotiations. Some deals are in progress. China and Japan have agreed in principle to frameworks that would keep rates lower. But others remain unsettled. More impactful are the sector-specific tariffs already rolling out. Steel, copper, and car parts are under new restrictions. Trump has also threatened additional tariffs on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber—some as high as 200%. These aren't bargaining chips anymore. They're weapons in a broader plan to repatriate manufacturing and redraw the global supply chain. And for some U.S.-based companies, this could be a windfall. Some stocks stand to benefit massively from this shifting landscape. Pharmaceuticals: The administration is floating a tariff of up to 200% on imported pharmaceuticals to push drugmakers back to U.S. soil. While the market hasn't reacted strongly yet - due to assumptions that implementation will be delayed - the announcement alone could rattle drugmakers like Teva which leads in overseas generics manufacturing. On the flip side, companies like Eli Lilly (LLY) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), both with significant U.S. production, could see a tailwind. Semiconductors: A proposed 25% tariff on imported chips and related equipment would impact a wide swath of industries, from autos to smartphones. But for U.S. fabricators like Intel (INTC) and Micron Technology (MU), this could be a breakout moment. Despite Intel's recent disappointing earnings, its U.S. fabs in Arizona, New Mexico, and Ohio could become strategic assets. Copper & Steel: Tariffs on imported copper jump to 50% on August 1 and join the already high tariff on steel. That boosts domestic suppliers like Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), with shares already up 16% this year. Steel, too, is seeing a resurgence, with Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) benefitting from its 100% U.S. flat-rolled production. Lumber: A brewing trade spat with Canada makes increased lumber tariffs all but certain. The administration is considering a 25% rate on Canadian softwood. Weyerhaeuser (WY), with over 10 million acres of U.S. timberland, could see higher prices and stronger margins. Earnings to Watch This Week As if tariffs weren't enough, a packed earnings calendar has already sent individual stocks soaring or crashing over the last two weeks. Investors are rewarding companies that can boost guidance but severely punishing anyone failing to beat expectations. SoFi Technologies (SOFI) reports Tuesday with shares are up nearly 190% in a year but stuck around $21 each. With a price-to-book ratio of 3.5x, it's looking expensive for a bank stock. While growth is strong and the company's digital banking model remains compelling, investors should be cautious at these levels. ARM Holdings (ARM) reports Wednesday and has already surged 30% this year. Riding the AI wave, ARM benefits from chip design dominance, but at 42x sales, it's priced for perfection. Any dip could be a buying opportunity for long-term believers. Meta Platforms (META) and Microsoft (MSFT) also report Wednesday. Microsoft is expected to grow 14% annually but trades at 14x price to sales. Without a major AI breakthrough or less contention with OpenAI, it may struggle to justify the premium. Meta, meanwhile, trades at a more reasonable 11x sales and is aggressively expanding AI-driven advertising tools. I'd favor Meta at these levels and consider adding on dips. Robinhood Markets (HOOD) has defied the doubters, including me. Up 180% this year, the company is charging into tokenized assets and stock trading in Europe. With projected 27% revenue growth and expanding product lines, it's hard to ignore, though margins and regulation remain concerns. Coinbase Global (COIN) reports Thursday and despite slow 12% projected revenue growth, its U.S.-regulated exchange status and Circle stablecoin exposure give it a unique edge. At 15x sales, it's not cheap, but the long-term thesis is gaining momentum as crypto adoption grows. I love talking stocks and that face-to-face community we're building on the YouTube channel. Join the Bow Tie Nation and check out all the 2025 stock picks on Let's Talk Money! The Wildcards: Fed Policy, Jobs & Inflation Beyond earnings and tariffs, this week includes three economic landmines: Federal Reserve Decision (Wednesday): The Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady, with CME FedWatch showing 97% odds of no rate cut. Rising inflation (up to 2.7% in June CPI) and a resilient job market could derail hopes for any cuts this year. Trump has voiced his frustration with Fed Chair Powell and may erupt if rates remain unchanged. PCE Inflation Report (Thursday): The Fed's preferred inflation gauge is expected to show a 2.7% annual rate. Add rising tariffs to the mix and even September rate cuts could be off the table. Jobs Report (Friday): Forecasts call for just 102,000 new jobs in July, down from 147,000 in June. So far, employment has been the bright spot in the economy. But a surprise miss here could rattle investor confidence. What Investors Can Do Now Earnings have been strong. The economy is holding up - for now. But with so many potential shocks on the calendar, this is the time to hedge. Buy puts on the S&P 500 ETF (SPY): A simple way to protect your portfolio from a broad market downturn while still letting your individual stocks run. With volatility nearing lows for the year, option premiums on the index fund are relatively cheap. Sell call options against individual stocks: This generates income and reduces risk while allowing for some upside though it will limit gains to the option's strike price. Look for domestic winners: Companies with U.S.-based production and supply chains could thrive as tariffs hit competitors. We're entering a new economic era—one defined by onshoring, inflation, and volatility. Investors who prepare now won't just survive it. They'll profit from it. Disclosure: This is the Most Dangerous Week for Investors in 20 Years is written by Joseph Hogue, CFA who is a former equity analyst and economist. Born and raised in Iowa, after serving in the Marine Corps, Joseph worked in corporate finance and real estate before starting a career in investment analysis. He has appeared on Bloomberg and CNBC and led a team of equity analysts for a venture capital research firm. He holds a master's degree in business and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Positions in stocks mentioned: SOFI, META, ARM
The Hill
18 minutes ago
- The Hill
Trump says he's shortening the 50-day deadline for Russia to end the war in Ukraine
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he intends to shorten the 50-day deadline he gave Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach a deal that ends the three-year war in Ukraine, after Russia continued to bombard Ukrainian cities. Russia fired an overnight barrage of more than 300 drones, four cruise missiles and three ballistic missiles, the Ukrainian air force said. Trump said two weeks ago he would implement 'severe tariffs' on Russia unless a peace deal is reached by early September, as he expressed exasperation with Putin over the bombardment of Ukrainian cities amid the Republican president's attempts to stop the fighting. Trump said he would now give Putin 10 to 12 days from Monday, meaning he wants peace efforts to make progress by Aug. 7-9. The plan includes possible sanctions and secondary tariffs targeting Russia's trading partners. The formal announcement would come later Monday or on Tuesday, he said. 'No reason in waiting,' Trump said of the shorter timeline. 'We just don't see any progress being made.' Putin has 'got to make a deal. Too many people are dying,' Trump said during a visit to Scotland. There was no immediate response from Russia. Trump repeated his criticism of Putin for talking about ending the war but continuing to bombard Ukrainian civilians. 'And I say, that's not the way to do it,' Trump said. He added, 'I'm disappointed in President Putin.' Asked at a news conference about a potential meeting with the Russian leader, Trump said: 'I'm not so interested in talking anymore.' Still, he voiced some reluctance about imposing penalties on the Kremlin, saying that he loves the Russian people. 'I don't want to do that to Russia,' he said, but he noted how many Russians, along with Ukrainians, are dying in the war. Ukraine has urged Western countries to take a tougher line with Putin. Andrii Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, thanked Trump for shortening the deadline. 'Putin understands only strength — and that has been conveyed clearly and loudly,' Yermak said on Telegram, adding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared the sentiment. Latest attacks in Ukraine A Russian drone blew out the windows of a 25-story residential building in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv, the head of the city's military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, wrote on Telegram. Eight people were injured, including a 4-year-old girl, he said. The attack also started a fire in Kropyvnytskyi, in central Ukraine, local officials said, but no injuries were reported. The main target of the Russian attack was Starokostiantyniv, in the Khmelnytskyi region of western Ukraine, the air force said. Regional authorities reported no damage or casualties. Western Ukraine is on the other side of the country from the front line, and the Ukrainian military is believed to have significant airfields as well as arsenals and depots there. The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces carried out an overnight strike with long-range, air-launched weapons, hitting a Ukrainian air base along with an ammunition depot containing stockpiles of missiles and components for drone production.
