Wall Street experienced heightened turbulence on Monday, with stocks floundering due to concerns about the Federal Reserve’s prolonged high-interest rate strategy and the impending shadow of a possible US government shutdown.
At market’s opening, both the S&P 500 (NYSE:GSPC) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSE:DJI) dipped approximately 0.3%, retracting from their initial advancements. This retraction was prompted in part by the surge in 10-year Treasury yields (NYSE:TNX) reaching their pinnacle since 2007. Concurrently, the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQ:IXIC) marked a decline of around 0.4%.
Amidst these fluctuations, oil prices surged again, sparking conversations about sustained high inflation. The discourse now centers on whether the Federal Reserve will be hindered in its ability to slash rates soon.
Market participants await the upcoming PCE inflation data set for release on Friday, hoping it sheds more light on the inflation trajectory.
The clock is ticking, with a government shutdown looming in less than a week. As the possibility becomes more tangible, investors have shifted focus to ascertain its potential repercussions on the broader economy.
Hopes for a budget resolution appear bleak, with Congressional progress stalled. On the economic calendar, Thursday is marked for a release on the second quarter GDP.
On a brighter note, Sunday witnessed a provisional agreement to conclude the prolonged Hollywood writers’ strike, providing an uplift to media stocks during the initial trading hours. However, the automotive sector remains on tenterhooks. Ford (NYSE:F) reported that, although there are areas of progress in their discussions with the UAW, significant differences remain to be bridged before finalizing a new labor accord.
Adding to global concerns are the escalating debt issues faced by Chinese property magnates, notably Evergrande. Such developments have heightened apprehensions regarding the stability of the world’s second-largest economy.
In corporate news, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) has inked an agreement to funnel up to $4 billion into startup Anthropic. This collaboration reinforces Amazon’s intent to cement its position as a formidable contender in the AI domain. Meanwhile, Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:BKNG), encompassing brands like Booking.com and Priceline, hit a roadblock. The company’s attempted $1.7 billion acquisition of ETraveli faced opposition from the EU’s antitrust watchdog.
Featured Image – iStock © sasirin pamai
Author Kristen Moran 
