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The launch comes just weeks after Anthropic announced Claude Sonnet 4.5 in September

Bunge Global jumped on the back of the Trump administration’s threat to cut off U.S. purchases of Chinese cooking oil.

The Pound Sterling (GBP) recovers some ground, advancing 0.60% against the US Dollar (USD) on Wednesday during the North American session, as China-US tensions ease on comments of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The luxury goods giant’s brands include Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and Moet & Chandon.

• AI investment could lead to a higher neutral rate
• Recent policy changes, including immigratio, have produced fast changes in the neutral rate
• Current Fed policy is more restrictive than people think because the neutral rate has fallen
• Difference with policy views of collegues is more based on speed of cuts than destination
• He has a more sanguine view of inflation, mostly due to expectations about housing costs
• Puts less weight on changing policy gradually
• If data comes in hotter than expected, would have to reevaluate
• If housing in particular does not show falling inflation, he would have to question outlook
• Feels confident that shocks like immigration are large enough to influence policy.
• Does not feel that moving by more than a 50 basis point cut is necessary.
• No evidence that tariffs are raising inflation, arguments otherwise are based on prior trends.
• Key categories of imported goods are not seeing price increases that are different from other goods
• Goods inflation rates in the US are comparable to those in other countries.

Earlier today, Fed’s Miran emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the neutral rate, noting that it remains difficult to pinpoint precisely and that this ambiguity complicates policy decisions. He said that while the neutral rate’s exact level is unclear, the ongoing debate about how it has evolved is both valid and necessary. Miran underscored that the economy has become more vulnerable to shocks as monetary policy remains restrictive, and that the key difference in his perspective from other FOMC members lies in how quickly the Fed should move back to a more neutral stance.

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.

USD/CAD trims losses on Wednesday, back around 1.4040 at the time of writing, after hitting an intraday low of 1.4026. More broadly, the US Dollar (USD) is consolidating against the Canadian Dollar (CAD) after peaking near 1.4080 on Tuesday.

European equities ended the session mixed on Wednesday, with France leading the gains while most other regional indexes slipped modestly.

• CAC 40 surged +157.38 points (+1.99%) to close at 8,077.01, outperforming its peers on strength in industrials and luxury shares.

• STOXX 50 edged slightly higher by +2.70 points (+0.05%) to 5,596.50, showing resilience despite broader caution.

• DEU40 (DAX) fell -56.96 points (-0.24%) to 24,179.99, weighed down by weakness in autos and financials.

• UKX (FTSE 100) declined -28.00 points (-0.30%) to 9,424.76, pressured by energy and mining stocks.

• IBEX 35 mirrored the move, down -16.09 points (-0.10%) to 15,570.30.

• FTMIB (Italy) dropped -168.76 points (-0.40%) to 41,906.89, underperforming in Southern Europe.

Overview:
European markets were largely subdued amid cautious investor sentiment and light volume. Gains in French equities helped offset declines in Germany, the U.K., and Italy. Broader indexes like the STOXX 50 held steady as traders balanced optimism around U.S. monetary policy with lingering concerns over global trade and growth.

As London/European traders exit for the day, the US indices are still higher.

• Dow Industrial average +64 points or 0.14%
• S&P +28.94 pints or 0.44%
• Nasdaq up 156 points or 0.69%

US yields are higher with the shorter end up the most. The longer end is up marginally:

• 2-year yield 3.509%, +3.1 basis points
• 5 year yield 3.625%, +2.8 basis points
• 10 year yield 4.036%, +1.8 basis points
• 30 year yield 4.629%, +0.5 basis points.

Looking at other markets:

• Gold is trading to ta new all time high with a gain of $49 or 1.16% at $4190.54. The high reached $4218.13
• Crude oil is down -$0.41 or -0.70% at $58.28
• Silver is up $0.96 or 1.86% at $52.40
• Bitcoin remains under pressure with the price down -$2160 or -1.88% at $110,901.

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.

We’re debating if it’s time to ring the register on Abbott and free up a space in the portfolio for a new name.

Republican and Democrat senators continued to back opposing bills ahead of vote on stopgap funding that would reopen the U.S. government.

• U.S. Treasury Secretary says IMF needs to return to its core mission of providing liquidity, backstops, and intervention when countries are in trouble.

• IMF should sell golf course in Maryland.

• The Trump administration can shift to other tariff authorities if the Supreme Court rules against IEEPA duties.

• Anyone purchasing Russian energy is effectively subsidizing attacks on the Ukrainian people.

• The U.S. Treasury purchased Argentine pesos in the open market this morning.

• As long as Argentina continues enacting sound policy, they will have U.S. support.

• An election victory for Milei’s party would strengthen his ability to veto bad policies.

• When asked if the U.S. Treasury could buy Argentine debt, he said “we could,” but did not elaborate.

• The Argentina swap line will be backed by Special Drawing Rights held in the U.S. Exchange Stabilization Fund and converted to dollars.

• The U.S. is working on a $20 billion private-sector facility for Argentina that would complement the swap line and help reduce debt.

• Support for Argentina is described as an economic ‘Monroe Doctrine’ for U.S. influence in Latin America.

• Not concerned about systemic economic risk from Argentina.

• Not advocating that the Fed shrink its balance sheet or move away from an ample reserves system.

• The Fed should use quantitative easing sparingly, like antibiotics.

• QE reform is an important consideration for the next Fed Chair choice.

• Disagreements with South Korea over investments can be resolved within the next 10 days.

Summary:
The Treasury Secretary emphasized global and domestic financial stability themes — urging IMF reform toward its liquidity-focused roots, supporting Argentina through dollar-backed swap lines and private financing, and maintaining cautious but supportive engagement in Latin America. He downplayed systemic risks, advocated prudent Fed policy (with QE used sparingly), and hinted at resolving geopolitical and trade tensions, including with South Korea and Russia. The remarks signal a blend of measured monetary restraint, strategic regional engagement, and pragmatic diplomacy

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.