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US stocks and dollar slide after Trump attacks Fed chair Powell | US stocks and dollar slide after Trump attacks Fed chair Powell |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US stocks and the dollar plunged again as President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on the US central bank boss calling him "a major loser" for not lowering interest rates. | US stocks and the dollar plunged again as President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on the US central bank boss calling him "a major loser" for not lowering interest rates. |
In a social media post, Trump called on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates "pre-emptively" to help boost the economy, saying Powell had been consistently too slow to respond to economic developments. | In a social media post, Trump called on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates "pre-emptively" to help boost the economy, saying Powell had been consistently too slow to respond to economic developments. |
"There can be a SLOWING of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW," he wrote. | "There can be a SLOWING of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW," he wrote. |
Trump's criticism of Powell's handling of the US economy comes as his own plans for tariffs have driven a stock market sell-off and raised fears of economic recession. | Trump's criticism of Powell's handling of the US economy comes as his own plans for tariffs have driven a stock market sell-off and raised fears of economic recession. |
The president's intensifying clash with Powell, whom he named to lead the Fed during his first term, has added to the market turmoil. | The president's intensifying clash with Powell, whom he named to lead the Fed during his first term, has added to the market turmoil. |
The S&P 500, which tracks 500 of the biggest US companies, fell roughly 2.4% on Monday. It has lost roughly 12% of its value since the start of the year. | The S&P 500, which tracks 500 of the biggest US companies, fell roughly 2.4% on Monday. It has lost roughly 12% of its value since the start of the year. |
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.5% and has dropped about 10% so far this year, while the Nasdaq fell more than 2.5% and is down roughly 18% since January. | The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.5% and has dropped about 10% so far this year, while the Nasdaq fell more than 2.5% and is down roughly 18% since January. |
Though the dollar and US government bonds are typically considered safe assets in times of market turmoil, they have not escaped the recent turbulence. | Though the dollar and US government bonds are typically considered safe assets in times of market turmoil, they have not escaped the recent turbulence. |
The dollar index - which measures the strength of the dollar against a set of currencies including the Euro - on Monday fell to its lowest level since 2022. | The dollar index - which measures the strength of the dollar against a set of currencies including the Euro - on Monday fell to its lowest level since 2022. |
Interest rates on US government debt also rose, as investors demanded higher returns for holding Treasuries. | Interest rates on US government debt also rose, as investors demanded higher returns for holding Treasuries. |
Trading on most major stock indexes was subdued on Tuesday morning. | |
Japan's Nikkei 225 and the ASX 200 in Sydney were around 0.1% lower. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down by about 0.5%. | |
Meanwhile, the price of gold hit a new record high as investors seek out so-called "safe-haven" assets. | Meanwhile, the price of gold hit a new record high as investors seek out so-called "safe-haven" assets. |
Spot gold crossed the $3,400 (£2,563) per ounce mark for the first time on Monday. | Spot gold crossed the $3,400 (£2,563) per ounce mark for the first time on Monday. |
The precious metal is viewed as a safer place to put money during times of economic uncertainty. | The precious metal is viewed as a safer place to put money during times of economic uncertainty. |
Trump's criticism of Powell dates back to his first term in office, when he also reportedly discussed firing him. Since winning the election, he has urged Powell to lower borrowing costs. | Trump's criticism of Powell dates back to his first term in office, when he also reportedly discussed firing him. Since winning the election, he has urged Powell to lower borrowing costs. |
The latest criticism follows Powell's warnings that Trump's import taxes were likely to drive up prices and slow the economy. | The latest criticism follows Powell's warnings that Trump's import taxes were likely to drive up prices and slow the economy. |
Trump last week called publicly for Powell to be fired, writing on social media on Thursday: "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough." | Trump last week called publicly for Powell to be fired, writing on social media on Thursday: "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough." |
Such a move would be controversial - and legally questionable - given a tradition of independence at the bank. | Such a move would be controversial - and legally questionable - given a tradition of independence at the bank. |
Powell last year told reporters he did not believe the president had the legal authority to remove him. | Powell last year told reporters he did not believe the president had the legal authority to remove him. |
But one of Trump's top economic advisers confirmed that officials were studying the option on Friday, when the stock market in the US was closed for trading. | But one of Trump's top economic advisers confirmed that officials were studying the option on Friday, when the stock market in the US was closed for trading. |