Global Economy Spotlight: Key Highlights of the Past Week

US Markets Gently Leaned Back Amid Trump Tariffs, But Investor Spirits Stay Sturdy

Last week’s market slide was more of a twitch than a tumble. Stocks dipped just a touch, with tech stocks stepping in to keep the Nasdaq from taking a serious hit. New tariffs stole the headlines, but they didn’t shake the core of investor confidence.

Tech’s Cushion Keeps the Nasdaq Alright

The Nasdaq Composite fell only slightly, thanks to a handful of tech names that put a cushion on the dip. Think of it as a bumpy ride, but the seatbelt (technology) held firm, keeping the overall market from going off the rails.

Tariffs on the Front Line

The Trump administration rolled out tariffs on countries like Japan, South Korea, Canada, South Africa, and Brazil. Even more striking was a 50% rate on copper imports, sending U.S. copper futures to a sharp spike—a price jump that felt as sudden as a viral TikTok dance.

Delta’s Boost (Air‑Mode) Helps Spread Good Vibes

Delta Air Lines countered the back‑of‑the‑pack tension with a positive earnings note: “Demand is picking up, and we’re keeping the 2025 guidance on track.” The airline sector got a lift thanks to Delta’s optimism.

Fed’s Mixed‑Mind at June Meeting

Policymakers were split on the timing of rate cuts. Most were ready for a breeze later this year, but a few are holding back, suggesting a delay into 2026. Treasury futures briefly rallied after the minutes, but the bond market finished lower and underperformed.

NVIDIA Hits $4 Trillion!

NVIDIA’s market cap briefly crossed the $4 trillion mark, bolstering tech sentiment and underlining the power of mega‑cap growth stocks.

Nasdaq: Small dip, tech cushion.
Tariffs: Canada, South Africa, Brazil, South Korea, Japan; 50% copper shock.
Delta: Demand recovery and 2025 guidance reaffirmed.
Fed: Mixed views on rate cuts—possible 2026 delay.
Bond Market: Brief rally, then underperformance.
NVIDIA: $4T milestone reached.

Bottom line: The market took a slight hiccup, but growth fundamentals—especially in tech and aviation—remain bright. Tariff tides are making waves, yet investors have learned to surf the uncertainty with a calm paddle.

Europe

European Markets: A Bit of Bling, A Bit of Boo Boo

English bullies, the STOXX Europe 600 slipped up by 1.15%, brightening the day with whispers of fresh trade pacts with the United States. But just as the champagne popped, President Trump tossed a warning about looming tariffs on European goods, and the mood turned a tad cautious.

Victory Lap for DAX and CAC 40

Germany’s DAX led the way, leaping 1.97% higher.
France’s CAC 40 also strutted forward with an impressive 1.73% rise.
All other country indices finished the day in the green, sticking a smile onto the European skyline.

UK: A Mixed Bag of Numbers

In the United Kingdom, the story was a bit of a rollercoaster. GDP slid for the second straight month in May, dragged down by a slump in production and construction. Even so, the economy cheekily bounced up by 0.5% over the last quarter.

Housing news gave a glimmer of hope: Halifax spotted a modest rebound in buyer activity, hinting that the market is slowly finding its footing again. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is quietly drafting a permanent mortgage guarantee scheme, hoping to give first‑time buyers a safety net.

Eurozone: Retail, Industry, and a Pinch of Pain

Retail sales took a soft dip, falling 0.7% in May, as shoppers stayed a tad cautious.
German industry sharpened its ticker, climbing 1.2% after a brief slump in April, though exports stayed on a slight sigh‑slide.
Italian output continued to wobble, dropping again and spotlighting the stubborn challenges in its manufacturing sector.

Overall, the market spirit is still optimistic, but the underlying data leaves a lingering taste of growth headwinds still in play across Europe.

Asia & emerging markets

Japan’s Stock Market Takes an Easy Chin‑Shock

Japanese shares had a bit of a dip today. The Nikkei 225 slipped 0.61 % as traders caught wind that U.S. tariffs on Japanese goods are set to climb to 25 % from August 1. The deadline gives a breather for talks, but it also adds some fuzziness ahead of Japan’s Upper House elections.

Real wages fell 2.9 % YoY in May—much worse than analysts had drafted. That’s a red flag for the consumer revival.
On the flip side, household spending jumped 4.7 %, showing the spirit is still there.

China’s Table Looks Healthier

In the land of the dragon, equities were looking a little brighter. The CSI 300 rallied 0.82 % while the Shanghai Composite gained 1.09 % thanks to the hope of a tougher stimulus hook.

Producer Prices dropped 3.6 % in June—nearly three consecutive years of factory‑gate deflation.
Consumer Prices nudged up by only 0.1 %.
With demand still in the “soft” mode, investors are pinning hopes on fresh government support. President Xi’s recent pledge to fight “disorderly competition” and boost industry productivity keeps the optimism alive.

What the Global Market Tells Us

Across the globe, there’s a pattern: muted reaction to tariffs, inflation diverging like a rebellious teenager, and customer data that’s just a little sluggish. All of this keeps central banks, traders, and policymakers on their toes.