After Triple Witching, a "Productive" U.S.-China Call Shifts Market Tone
The headlines are glowing: major U.S. stock indices climbed to new all-time highs for the second consecutive day, fueled by optimism over potential Fed rate cuts. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed the week on a strong note. But beneath this shiny surface, a more complicated story of investor caution was unfolding. Now, a crucial weekend development in U.S.-China relations has added a fresh layer of optimism to the mix, potentially shifting the narrative for the week ahead. Key Takeaways ☑ Record Highs, Hidden Weakness: While large-cap indices like the S&P 500 (+0.5%) and Nasdaq (+0.7%) soared, the small-cap Russell 2000 index fell (-0.8%), signaling a major market divergence. ☑ U.S.-China Thaw?: A 'productive' weekend phone call between the U.S. and Chinese presidents has eased geopolitical tensions, providing a potential positive catalyst for the week ahead. ☑ The "Quality Growth" Shift: Investors are flocking to stable, large-cap companies, p...