Stock Market Today: US Indices Move Higher on Trade Optimism and Tax Bill Progress

The US stock market opened the last trading day of June with positivity, strengthened by ongoing trade negotiations and growing optimism over President Trump’s proposed tax cut bill. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a rise of approximately 0.4%, the S&P 500 edged up 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.1%. These gains reflect optimism that the US is making progress on trade deals, with major partners such as Canada moving toward resolving tariff-related issues.

US markets continue to look for cues from international trade relations, particularly between the US, China, and its other key partners. A breakthrough in these talks could lead to a further reduction in tariffs, which would positively affect global trade and economic activity. Additionally, the ongoing discussions in the Senate over the proposed $4.5 trillion tax cut bill are also contributing to positive sentiment, with the expectation that the bill could provide significant economic stimulus in the coming months.

Market Movers:

• Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE): +13.66%: Hewlett Packard’s stock soared following a settlement with the US Department of Justice over its proposed $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks. The settlement clears the way for the deal, which analysts expect to strengthen HPE’s AI and networking capabilities. Investors are optimistic that this acquisition will provide a boost to HPE’s earnings in the long term.
• Juniper Networks (JNPR): +8.00%: Shares gained following the news of HPE’s acquisition settlement. The acquisition is expected to expand Juniper’s reach in the rapidly growing AI and networking sectors, enabling the company to capitalize on the increasing demand for data center technologies.
• Oracle (ORCL): +4.67%: The stock rose after the company disclosed several large cloud services agreements, which are expected to significantly boost revenue in the coming years. These agreements are part of Oracle’s strategy to increase its presence in the cloud computing space, with a particularly notable deal projected to bring in more than $30 billion annually by FY28.
• NextEra Energy (NEE): -4.41%: NextEra Energy dipped after news broke that the Senate’s draft tax bill includes a provision taxing renewable energy projects that rely on Chinese-made components. This provision has raised concerns among investors in the renewable energy sector, particularly those with significant exposure to international supply chains.
• INmune Bio (INMB): -59.91%: INmune Bio’s stock plummeted after the company’s experimental Alzheimer’s drug failed in clinical trials. The drug’s inability to improve cognitive function in patients led to a sharp decline in its stock, as investors quickly moved away from the stock in response to the disappointing trial results.

Trade Negotiations and the Outlook for Global Trade

The US stock market is benefiting from optimism surrounding trade deals, particularly after Canada decided to scrap its digital services tax. This tax had been a point of contention between the two countries, with President Trump calling it a “blatant attack” on the US. The decision to cancel the tax ahead of its planned implementation is seen as a positive step toward smoothing over trade relations, with hopes that other ongoing trade talks, particularly with China and the UK, could follow a similar path. A resolution to these disputes would likely ease some of the trade-related risks that have weighed on the global economy for much of the last year.

While the immediate outlook for trade negotiations seems favorable, the situation remains fluid. The US is approaching the July 9 deadline for the resumption of reciprocal tariffs, which could trigger further market volatility. However, many analysts believe that a deal could be reached, with the potential for tariffs to be reduced or eliminated, which would be a major positive for market sentiment.

Tax Legislation and Its Potential Impact on the Market

In addition to trade negotiations, investors are closely watching the Senate as it debates President Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax cut bill. While the bill aims to stimulate economic growth, it faces opposition due to concerns about its impact on the federal deficit. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the tax cuts could add $3.3 trillion to the deficit over the next decade. However, proponents argue that the cuts will pay for themselves by spurring economic growth and job creation.

The Senate is set to vote on dozens of amendments to the bill in a marathon session today. The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of the market. If the bill passes, it could provide a significant boost to the stock market by creating a more favorable environment for businesses and investors. However, if it faces significant delays or revisions, market participants may grow wary of the long-term fiscal implications.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, the market will be closely monitoring the release of the June jobs report, which is set for Thursday. As the labor market shows signs of cooling, expectations are rising that the Federal Reserve could lower interest rates sooner rather than later. A weaker-than-expected jobs report could provide additional support for this view, giving the Fed the flexibility it needs to cut rates and potentially boost stock prices. Additionally, with the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, the trading week will be shortened, and investors will likely focus on key economic data and trade developments as they make their decisions. While the outlook for the market remains positive, particularly with trade talks progressing and the tax bill advancing, risks related to inflation, fiscal policy, and potential market volatility remain present.