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- Key takeaways from the FOMC Minutes
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• Hawkish stance and potential adjustment to the pace of quantitative tightening
- The January FOMC minutes indicated that while members mentioned concerns about inflation, they also hinted at the possibility of slowing down the pace of interest rate hikes, considering the uncertain economic situation.
- Many members voiced the need to "see further evidence of disinflation," demonstrating a cautious approach to monetary policy.
• Potential changes in trade policy and their impact
- Some members expressed concerns that changes in trade policy could increase inflationary pressure.
- They also stressed the need for caution regarding global economic uncertainty and its potential impact on the US economy.
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2. Major New York Stock Exchange Index Trends
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• Dow Jones Industrial Average
- It rose slightly (0.16%) compared to the previous trading day, recording 44,627.59.
• S&P 500 Index
- It rose by 14.57 points compared to the previous trading day, setting a new all-time high.
- It set a new all-time high for two consecutive days, indicating a positive investor sentiment.
• Nasdaq Composite Index
- It rose slightly (0.07%) compared to the previous trading day, recording 20,256.25.
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3. Trump's Tariff Policy and Trade Issues
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• Tariff imposition policy trends
- President Trump foreshadowed tariffs of at least 25% on automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, but set the implementation date for April 2nd, leaving room for negotiation.
- As a result, the market showed a mix of high-point burden and mixed trends.
• Possibility of a trade agreement with China
- According to the New York Times, Trump is reportedly exploring a new trade agreement with China.
- While there is no concrete response from the White House yet, uncertainty in the trade sector is expected to persist.
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4. Analysis of Sectoral and Major Company Stock Prices
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• Sectoral movements
- The materials sector fell by more than 1%, while the healthcare sector rose by more than 1%.
- The financial sector showed a slight sideways trend, and other major sectors showed strength.
• Trends of major technology companies ('Magnificent Seven' trends)
- Apple and Alphabet showed a firm sideways trend despite new product announcements.
- Microsoft and Tesla saw increases of more than 1%, but Nvidia and Amazon remained relatively flat.
- Meta Platforms fell by more than 1% after a decline the previous day, halting its upward trend.
• Notable individual stocks
- Palantier: A key player in the AI data industry, its stock price plummeted by more than 10% due to news of Department of Defense budget cuts.
- Nikola: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to financial difficulties, causing its stock price to fall by 39%, delivering a significant shock.
- Intel: Investor sentiment was dampened by TSMC and Broadcom's actions, resulting in a stock price drop of more than 6%.
- Walmart: Morgan Stanley raised its price target by 47% to $153, higher than the current price, and its fourth-quarter earnings announcement is highly anticipated.
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5. Market Outlook and Conclusion
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• The FOMC minutes, while containing hawkish statements, also suggested flexible adjustments to monetary policy, implying both positive signals and uncertainty in the financial markets in the medium to long term.
• The stock market shows some strength despite the high-point burden, but trade disputes and global economic uncertainty are still expected to act as risk factors.
• Investors need to closely monitor the trends of each sector and individual companies and readjust their portfolios accordingly.
It is crucial to understand the current market situation well and revise investment strategies through appropriate risk management. Refer to the above information and develop a response strategy that suits your situation.
*Source URL:
https://www.hankyung.com/article/2025022070656
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