Equities excel but rate cuts dealt blow

Reports of trade deals before the end of President Trump's 90-day tariff pause boosted the S&P 500 equity index last Friday. It came ahead of a key week, with jobs data due and the President hoping to pass his tax bill before Independence Day. Core PCE inflation rose 0.2% in May, slightly exceeding expectations. Although this has hit hopes of a July rate cut, experts still forecast reductions from the Fed later this year. In Europe, the European Central Bank’s Forum on Central Banking will take place, where current policy issues will be discussed. Read...