Trump’s tariffs challenged in court and deemed to be illegal

A U.S. federal court has ruled that former President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs were imposed illegally, dealing a significant blow to his economic policies. The Court of International Trade determined that Trump exceeded his authority by invoking emergency powers to justify tariffs on nearly every country. The ruling states that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress …

China’s industrial profit accelerates in April 2025 – despite Trump’s tariffs

Despite the heavy tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, China’s industrial sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience. In April 2025, industrial profits rose by 3%, marking the second consecutive month of growth. This increase was largely driven by Beijing’s strategic policy measures, which cushioned the impact of the tariffs and supported private enterprises. In …

Fallout from Trump’s self-imposed tariffs and DOGE cuts is visibly damaging the U.S.

The economic impact of tariffs and budget cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is becoming increasingly evident Major corporations like Nike and Accenture, for example have recently reported significant challenges stemming from these policies. Nike has warned of a sharp decline in sales for the current quarter, attributing this to tariffs and weakened …

OECD cuts U.S. growth forecast amid Trump’s tariff chaos

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has sharply downgraded its U.S. growth forecast, citing economic uncertainty and the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. The OECD now expects the U.S. economy to expand by just 1.6% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026, a significant cut from its previous estimate of 2.2% for …

Shock but no ‘awe’ in Trump’s first 100 days in office

U.S. President Donald Trump has definitely brought a lot of shock in the first 100 days of his presidency, smashing trade links, alliances, and even his own government, but it can hardly be said to have left anybody truly in ‘awe’. Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office during his second term have been a …

Countries begin to turn away from the U.S. because of Trump’s tariff policies

Countries are increasingly pivoting away from the United States due to the ripple effects of former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. His ‘America First’ ideology, which prioritised domestic interests over international collaboration, assumed that the world needed America more than America needed the world. While this may have held true in certain aspects, the global …

Tech stocks propel market rally amid Trump’s tariff pause

On Monday 14th April 2025, the stock market experienced a notable mini rally, driven by the tech sector’s resurgence following a weekend announcement of a temporary tariff pause. President Trump’s decision to exempt smartphones, computers, and other electronics from steep tariffs provided a much-needed reprieve for the industry, sparking optimism among investors. Major tech companies …

Dow dives 1600 points after Trump’s tariff attack – S&P 500 and Nasdaq drop the most since 2020

The U.S. stock market experienced a dramatic plunge following President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs, marking one of the most significant market downturns since 2020. On 3rd April 2025, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted by 1,600 points, a staggering 4% drop, closing at 40,546. The S&P 500 fell by 4.8%, while the tech-heavy …

Trump announces 25% tariffs on car imports to U.S. and pledges pharma tariffs to come

Trump’s tariffs have been a cornerstone of his trade policy, aimed at protecting American industries and reducing trade deficits These measures include tariffs on steel, aluminum, and a wide range of goods from countries like China, Canada, and the European Union. While supporters argue that these tariffs have bolstered domestic manufacturing and created jobs, critics …

Trumps tariffs impact – what a difference a day makes!

Trump pauses tariffs on Mexico and Canada amid China’s retaliatory measures In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump announced a 30-day pause on tariffs targeting Mexico and Canada, just as China introduced retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. goods. This move comes amidst escalating trade tensions and a looming threat of a …

Trump tariff roll-back – a win for China? U.S. markets rejoice the ‘deal’

The U.S. stock market surged as investors cheered a breakthrough in trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The rollback of tariffs, announced as part of a new trade agreement, sent the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite soaring. The deal, which slashes ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on both sides, is seen as a major …

Signs of weakness in the U.S. economy – is a recession coming and is the United States causing harm to global economies?

The U.S. economy is showing cracks as multiple indicators suggest that growth may be slowing. With GDP shrinking by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, concerns about an impending recession have intensified among analysts and investors. A key driver of this economic downturn is the ongoing trade uncertainty, which has prompted businesses to stock …

S&P 500 achieves longest winning streak in two decades – then slides

The S&P 500 has surged to a new record, marking nine consecutive days of gains – its longest winning streak since November 2004. This run came after significant market falls after President Trump announced his tariffs on Liberation Day in April 2025. The index closed 1.47% higher on the final day of the streak on …

Stock markets see three-day recovery as U.S. tech boost offsets trade worries – but for how long?

Global markets have shown resilience in the past three days, rebounding from recent downturns as technology stocks rally amid cautious optimism. The boost in investor confidence follows strong earnings reports from major tech firms, highlighting their ability to weather economic uncertainty. However, lingering concerns about international trade tensions raise questions about how sustainable this recovery …

Trump takes wrecking ball to global trade – sets stock markets on fire and plays golf – all in one week

Is this a fair ‘take’ on the last weeks tariff turmoil? President Trump’s tariffs have left a significant mark on global trade and financial markets, creating waves that continue to shape global economic dynamics. The tariffs, initially aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit and protecting domestic industries, triggered a rollercoaster ride for stock markets …

The end of globalisation or a fresh start with a new world order?

Globalisation is a process that has woven the world together, creating interconnected networks of trade, culture, technology, and governance. At its core, globalisation refers to the increased interaction and integration between people, companies, and governments across the globe. This phenomenon has profound economic, political, and cultural implications, shaping the way we live and think. Historically …

Market pessimism – a contrarian’s opportunity?

The stock market is no stranger to volatility, and recent events have left investors grappling with uncertainty. However, for those who embrace a contrarian mindset, the current wave of pessimism might just be the golden opportunity they’ve been waiting for. Historically, extreme market pessimism has often preceded significant rebounds. The contrarian philosophy – buying when …

What’s a tariff?

Some of the strangest locations affected by Trump’s tariffs include an uninhabited island near Antarctica? U.S. President Donald Trump’s ‘reciprocal tariffs‘ hit major trading partners around the world, but some tiny islands and remote locations were also unlikely targets. These ‘odd’ choices have cast doubt on the validity of the calculation used to fire off …

Russell 2000 goes into bear territory as Dow Jones – S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit correction!

The Russell 2000, a key benchmark for small-cap U.S. stocks, has officially entered bear market territory. This means the index has fallen more than 20% from its all-time high in late November 2024. The decline was accelerated by the recent rollout of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which have raised concerns about rising costs, economic …

Core U.S. inflation in February hits 2.8% – higher than expected

The core personal consumption expenditures price index, a key Fed inflation measure was up 0.4% in February 2025, putting the 12-month inflation rate at 2.8% Consumer spending accelerated 0.4% for the month, below the 0.5% forecast, but personal income posted a 0.8% rise, against the estimate for 0.4%. If we were to combine these higher …

Waning enthusiasm around Trump – AI and crypto

As we progress through 2025, it’s evident that the initial excitement surrounding Donald Trump’s election win, artificial intelligence (AI), and cryptocurrency has begun to wane – but for how long? Investors and the general public seem to be growing more cautious, reflecting a shift in sentiment towards these once highly anticipated topics. Trump’s tariffs In …

Bank of England cuts interest rate to 4.50% and cuts growth forecast for 2025

The Bank of England has halved its growth forecast for 2025 as it cut interest rates to 4.50% – the lowest for around 18 months The economy is now expected to grow by 0.75% in 2025, the Bank of England reportedly said, down from its previous estimate of 1.5%. Not good news for the chancellor, …

U.S. Federal Reserve holds interest rates at 4.25% – 4.50% and upsets Trump in the process

The Federal Reserve held its key interest rate steady at 4.25% – 4.50% on 7th May 2025, citing economic uncertainty and the potential impact of tariffs. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasised that the central bank is in wait-and-see mode, monitoring inflation and employment risks. The decision follows concerns that Trump’s trade policies could lead to …

Just a thought…

Do you believe in the ‘collective unconscious’, a universal mind to which all humanity is connected? In the context of the financial world, the stock market is based on unwavering fundamental mathematics… numbers. However, is often driven by sentiment, instinct, hopes and fears. They both function in a similar manner. In other words, it is …