Wall Street Mixed Amidst Powell’s Cautious Stance and Trump’s Tax Vote

Web Editor

July 1, 2025

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Key Players and Their Influence

Jerome Powell, the Chair of the Federal Reserve (Fed), continues to exhibit caution regarding interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, investors are eagerly awaiting the Senate’s vote on Donald Trump’s tax package, dubbed “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Market Performance on Tuesday

On Tuesday morning, the three major indices of Wall Street displayed mixed performance:

  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Up by 0.98% at 44,528.76 points
  • S&P 500: Down by 0.19% at 6,193.05 points
  • Nasdaq Composite: Down by 0.95% at 20,175.95 points

The Nasdaq and S&P 500 fell after reaching historical highs the previous day, driven by hopes for a US-Canada trade deal and expectations of interest rate cuts. However, Powell’s cautious stance on rate reductions due to uncertainties surrounding the impact of tariffs on inflation dampened market enthusiasm.

Trump’s Tax Vote and Its Potential Impact

Investors are also keeping a close eye on the US Senate’s vote regarding Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which aims to reduce taxes but may increase the nation’s debt, according to some analysts.

Expert Opinion

Diego González, Head of Business Development at Excent Capital, commented: “Despite geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty in the US, the indices have shown resilience by reaching new highs. Today’s volatility presents opportunities in stocks.”

Sector Performance

This morning, seven out of the eleven leading sectors in the S&P 500 demonstrated positive performance, with materials and healthcare companies leading the way, both rising over 2%. Within the Dow Jones, Amgen (+4.60%) and Merck & Co (+4.22%) stood out.

Key Questions and Answers

  • Who is Jerome Powell? Jerome Powell is the Chair of the Federal Reserve, responsible for overseeing the US central banking system.
  • Why is Powell’s stance on interest rates important? Powell’s cautious approach to potential rate cuts influences investor expectations and market performance, as it reflects the Fed’s assessment of economic conditions.
  • What is Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”? It refers to Trump’s proposed tax reform package, which includes reductions in taxes but has raised concerns about increasing the national debt.
  • How do sector performances impact the overall market? Positive performances in key sectors, such as materials and healthcare, can contribute to a bullish market sentiment, while strong individual stock performances within major indices like the Dow Jones can attract investor attention.