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US stocks edge higher as Fed Governor hints at possible rate pause
The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.75%, while the US trade deficit widened in July to its highest level since March 2025.
US stocks rose on Thursday as Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller signaled he could support keeping interest rates unchanged later this month if incoming data shows inflation pressures are continuing to ease, LiveMint Markets reported. The move in sentiment was also bolstered by a drop in US Treasury yields, after government data showed the US trade deficit widened in July to its highest level since March 2025. The article also linked higher imports to demand supported by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure and technology-related investment.
By mid-morning Eastern time, the S&P 500 was up 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.7%. The Dow climbed 394.74 points, or 0.74%, to 53,456.69, the S&P 500 gained 41.29 points, or 0.54%, to 7,707.89, and the Nasdaq rose 160.20 points, or 0.61%, to 26,378.03.
The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.75% from 4.79% on Wednesday, while the 2-year yield slid to 4.32% from 4.39%. Waller’s comments were framed against uncertainty from the ongoing Middle East conflict, which could raise inflation via higher energy prices, and he said his decision would be heavily influenced by August inflation data.
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