U.S. stocks struggled and manufacturing activities expanded for the 26th month in a row in July. Crude oil prices dropped. Investors await earnings from 1,200 companies this week.

Investors looked beyond rate hike worries and economic slowdown and the latest data confirmed 4-decade high inflation last month. Exxon and Chevron posted record quarterly profits.

Stocks extended rally on Wall Street and popular indexes are set to extend and weekly gains. The latest batch of earnings provided an additional impetus to the market advance despite a measure of inflation reaching a four-decade high in June.

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Benchmark indexes rallied for the second day in a row after investors looked beyond the latest GDP data. Intel posted a second quarter loss. Apple earnings fell 11% and the iPhone remains popular with customers. Amazon reported its second quarterly loss in a row.

Stocks rebounded from earlier losses after the second quarter GDP declined but at a slower pace. The second quarterly decline raised the prospect of a recession despite the strength in labor market and stable consumer spending.  

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Nasdaq Jumps 4% After Fed Rate Hike

Jul 27, 2022
Barry Adams
Stocks soared on Wall Street after the Federal Reserve lifted its key lending rate by a larger-than-expected 0.75 percentage point. Tech stocks led the advance ahead of the GDP data on Wednesday.

Benchmark indexes jumped more than 1% ahead of the rate decision supported by a barrage of generally positive corporate earnings.



Rate jitters dragged benchmark indexes lower ahead of Fed's decision tomorrow. European markets declined on the natural gas supply uncertainties. Natural gas prices soared to the levels last seen in 2008.

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European markets traded lower and the EU member nations agreed to cut down natural gas consumption by 15% in the next eight months as Russia throttles supplies through the Nord Stream pipeline network.

Asian markets traded mixed as Chinese authorities prepare to set up a bailout fund and revive select real estate projects.

Walmart lowered its second quarter and full-year earnings outlook. Higher food and fuel prices are affecting consumer spending, requiring more price cuts on apparel and other goods. Strong dollar is impacting international sales.

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U.S. benchmark indexes lacked direction ahead of the release of GDP data and Fed's interest rate hike later in the week.

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Tech companies relying on advertising fell after Snap and Twitter reported weak advertising revenues. European markets gained despite deepening slowdown in the private sector. Earnings optimism drives Asian markets higher.

American Express advanced on higher spending by card members. Boston Beer lowered its annual outlook. Schlumberger lifted annual outlook. Seagate Technology fell on weaker-than-expected results and outlook.

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The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 index halted weekly advanced after Snap reported wider quarterly loss and slower advertising revenues.