Markets Rebound After Trump Clarifies Powell Threat

U.S. stock markets rose, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all posting gains, driven by stronger-than-expected June retail sales growth and modest jobless claims indicating economic resilience. Earlier volatility was sparked by reports that President Trump considered firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, but markets rebounded after Trump signaled he was unlikely to proceed, though he did not fully rule it out. This reassurance shifted investor focus back to corporate earnings reports. Asian and Australian markets were generally higher, though volatility continued due to ongoing U.S. political uncertainty and interest rate concerns. Globally, the U.S. dollar eased as investors watched inflation data closely for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. Market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, dependent on economic data and central bank stability.