US Stocks Soar Amid Tech Gains, Trump Tariffs

US stock futures surged to record highs following strong earnings from Microsoft and Meta Platforms, with Microsoft’s stock jumping over 8% to surpass a $4 trillion market cap and Meta rising around 12% on optimistic revenue forecasts. Other tech giants, including Amazon and Nvidia, also posted gains, driven by enthusiasm over artificial intelligence investments. Investors are closely watching upcoming US inflation and jobs data, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s stance, as Chair Jerome Powell indicated no immediate rate cuts. President Trump imposed new tariffs, including a 15% tax on South Korean imports, and threatened further tariffs on Canadian and Indian goods if agreements are not reached by the August 1 deadline. While some trade deals were secured, global equities were mixed, with Asian markets under pressure and commodity prices like copper showing volatility due to changing tariff policies. Despite ongoing trade and monetary policy uncertainties, robust tech earnings and AI optimism have propelled US markets higher.