Author: Pritam Barman

Federal Reserve rate cut headlines dominated Wall Street on Wednesday as stocks faded from early gains and the U.S. dollar strengthened after Chair Jerome Powell poured cold water on expectations for another move in December. The central bank lowered its benchmark rate by 25 basis points and said it will end balance sheet runoff, citing limited data visibility during the government shutdown and signs that money market liquidity is tightening as bank reserves fall. The shift was widely expected, but investors were surprised by Powell’s pushback against the prevailing view that another cut is likely at the final policy meeting…

IonQ stock opened the week in focus after the company reported a new 99.99% accuracy level on key quantum operations and as U.S. officials weighed potential equity stakes in quantum leaders. The twin developments highlight growing confidence in the technology and the race to turn laboratory breakthroughs into real commercial gains. That combination of technical progress and policy attention arrives after a standout year for the Maryland-based company. Over the past 12 months, IonQ stock has climbed more than 250%, reflecting optimism that higher fidelity and better error control can unlock usable quantum applications for customers. IonQ stock surges on…

Amazon layoffs are back in focus as the company plans to cut 14,000 corporate jobs while ramping investment in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. Reports indicate the total could climb as high as 30,000 positions, though Amazon has not ruled out the higher figure. The move underscores a broader shift across Big Tech, where companies are trimming headcount in some functions and hiring in AI, chips, and data roles. The cuts target corporate teams, not warehouse or delivery roles for now. In a message to employees, leadership said Amazon must be “organized more leanly,” remove layers, reduce bureaucracy, and concentrate…

NYSE pre-market update from the trading floor points to a quiet start on Wednesday as investors brace for a pivotal Federal Reserve decision and a wave of mega-cap tech earnings. The major U.S. averages closed at fresh records for a second straight session, with the S&P 500 touching an intraday high above 6,900. Today’s tone is more cautious into the afternoon rate call, while after-hours will be dominated by results from the biggest names in tech. Ashley Mastronardi delivered the floor’s morning color, underscoring a calm tape before catalysts hit in rapid succession. NYSE Pre‑Market Update: Fed decision and mega-cap…

U.S.-China trade talks took center stage as Treasury Counselor Joe Lavorgna said the United States has leverage and that “very good progress” is being made in high-level discussions between Washington and Beijing. Speaking in a televised interview, Lavorgna pointed to ongoing meetings between the Treasury Secretary and Chinese counterparts and a strong working relationship between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. While withholding specifics, he framed the conversations as “constructive,” adding that financial markets—sitting near record highs—may be correctly anticipating forward movement. “There’s very strong constructive discussions going on,” Lavorgna said, emphasizing that both sides are engaged and that…

Bank of Canada rate cut odds surged above 90% as money markets bet on a 25-basis-point move to 2.25% on Wednesday, with fresh tariff threats from President Donald Trump amplifying pressure to support demand and stabilize growth. Policymakers face a challenging mix: historically high unemployment that has proven stubborn, sluggish business investment plans and elevated inflation concerns complicated by the risk of new trade frictions. The central bank will publish its rate decision at 9:45 a.m. (1345 GMT) alongside its quarterly Monetary Policy Report, offering updated projections for growth and prices. While rate decisions are rarely driven by a single…

Federal Reserve interest rates are widely expected to be cut by a quarter point on Wednesday, setting up a high-stakes policy pivot as the central bank weighs a weakening job market, stubborn inflation and a powerful investment wave driven by artificial intelligence. Investors are nearly certain of a second reduction this year after September’s initial move. What follows is less clear. With core price growth proving sticky even as hiring cools, the Fed must balance its dual mandate without full visibility into the data due to a government shutdown that has paused key economic releases. “There is no risk-free path…

Trump pardon Changpeng Zhao has prompted a sweeping oversight push on Capitol Hill, with a group of U.S. senators pressing the Justice Department and Treasury for answers on how the decision affects federal enforcement of financial crimes. In a letter addressed to Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, Bernie Sanders, Mazie Hirono, Richard Blumenthal, Jack Reed and Jeff Merkley asked how the pardon will shape future cases involving crypto platforms and white-collar offenses. The lawmakers set a response deadline of November 4, 2025. The inquiry comes after Zhao pleaded guilty to…

RWA tokenization is moving from concept to scale as USD1Swap partners with MOVA at the Dubai Summit, aiming to unlock cross-chain liquidity and institutional-grade infrastructure for real-world assets. The collaboration, announced at a high-profile industry gathering, positions USD1Swap and MOVA to build modular rails that connect decentralized finance with traditional markets. Speaking at the event, Wael described MOVA as “a core engine powering decentralized asset trading and ownership authentication,” underscoring the drive to make tokenized assets tradable across chains without compromising compliance. Momentum is building beyond one deal. The RWA market has surged to roughly $30 billion, supported by new…

The U.S. government shutdown is straining aviation security and on-time travel as hundreds of air traffic controllers take second jobs after missing their first full paycheck, union officials say. As the U.S. government shutdown enters its 28th day, air traffic facilities that were already stretched are facing new pressure. Controllers and trainees have picked up side work to cover rent, groceries and utilities—from tutoring and waiting tables to driving for ride-hailing services and delivering food. Many are comparing options for zero-interest bridge loans, bill deferrals and local food assistance. Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration…