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New Bearings Headed into 2026 - Consumption Strong, Rates Ready to Pivot
The week in the United States brought a slew of economic data confirming moderate expansion. The ISM manufacturing PMI fell to 48.2, deepening its contraction due to weakness in new orders and employment, while the ISM services index rose to 52.6, showing that tertiary activity continues to be the main driver of growth. The labor market once again showed a mixed picture: the ADP report recorded a reduction of 32,000 private jobs in November, driven by a drop of 120,000 jobs i
Ballestas Group
4 days ago1 min read
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Anchored but Agile - Markets Adapt as Rate Expectations Shift
This was a short week in the United States due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but it still left several relevant signals in economic, market, and political matters. Macro data continued to show moderate activity and slowing inflation. Retail sales rose only 0.2% in September, while pending home sales fell 0.4% year-on-year in October, reflecting consumers and the real estate market still under pressure from high interest rates. In industry, orders for durable goods rose 0.5% an
Ballestas Group
Dec 11 min read
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Drifting Less, Steering More - November’s Data Finds Direction
The week brought economic, market, and political developments that point to moderate growth and greater uncertainty. On the economic front, the FOMC minutes revealed a divided committee: although most members see room for future rate cuts, several are hesitant about cutting in December due to persistent inflation. This caution is compounded by signs of a cooling labor market: in September, 119,000 jobs were created, more than double the expected number, but unemployment rose
Ballestas Group
Nov 241 min read
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Sailing Ahead - Growth Outlook Brightens Post-Shutdown
The United States experienced a week marked by a combination of economic, market, and political events, presenting a complex landscape for investors. On the economic front, the end of the historic 43-day government shutdown brought relief, but also highlighted the impact on official statistics: although October's non-farm payrolls will be released next week, authorities have warned that it will not be possible to calculate the unemployment rate due to the lack of data collect
Ballestas Group
Nov 172 min read
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Steady Underway - Markets Chart a Resilient Course
The week left a mixed picture for the United States, with conflicting signals in the economy, a positive tone in corporate markets, and significant developments in politics and trade. On the economic front, concerns grew in the labor market after it was revealed that corporate layoffs reached their highest level in 22 years in October, with more than 153,000 job cuts linked to post-pandemic adjustments and increasing automation associated with advances in artificial intellige
Ballestas Group
Nov 101 min read
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New Winds, Same Compass - Markets Stay on Track
The United States experienced a week full of economic, political, and market developments, with particular attention focused on trade relations with China, the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, the progress of the corporate earnings season, and the prolonged government shutdown. On the geopolitical front, the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Busan concluded with a one-year extension of the trade truce between the two countries. The agreement
Ballestas Group
Nov 32 min read
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Resilient Growth and Strategic Diplomacy Drive Markets
The week in the United States was marked by an intense economic, trade, and political agenda with global impact. On the diplomatic front, Washington and Canberra signed an $8.5 billion strategic agreement focused on the supply of critical minerals, especially rare earths, to reduce dependence on China in the technology and defense sectors. In addition, the White House confirmed that President Trump will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during the upcoming APEC sum
Ballestas Group
Oct 271 min read
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Earnings Remain Strong as Policy and Trade Evolve
During the week, US markets were influenced by rising geopolitical tensions, fiscal uncertainty, and the initial progress of the corporate earnings season. However, the week closed with the main S&P and Nasdaq stock indices rising by 1.71% and 2.41%. President Donald Trump toughened his rhetoric toward China, warning of a possible "trade war" and threatening to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese exports starting November 1. However, in a subsequent interview, he described these t
Ballestas Group
Oct 201 min read
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Gold Shines, AI Advances, and Central Banks Steady the Course
The week in the United States was dominated by renewed trade tensions, mixed signals on monetary policy, and growing political uncertainty due to the federal government shutdown. On the economic front, President Donald Trump threatened a "massive increase in tariffs" on Chinese imports in response to Beijing's plans to restrict rare earth exports and suggested he might cancel his upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping. The statements reignited fears of a new trade war and
Ballestas Group
Oct 141 min read
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Markets Hold Steady through Policy Shifts and Government Shutdown
The week in the United States was marked by a complex interplay between political tensions, signs of an economic slowdown, and surprising...
Ballestas Group
Oct 81 min read
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Resilient Consumption and Housing Strength Highlight the Week
The week in the United States was dominated by a series of economic, market, and political news stories that paint a complex picture as...
Ballestas Group
Sep 292 min read
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Markets React to Fed’s First Rate Cut Since 2024
The week in the United States was marked by a shift in monetary policy, mixed economic data, and high-profile diplomatic moves. The...
Ballestas Group
Sep 242 min read
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Rate Cut Expectations Rise as U.S. Data Softens
This week, the focus was on the labor market, where weekly unemployment claims rose to 263,000, the highest level since October 2021....
Ballestas Group
Sep 151 min read
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GDP Surprises, Trump Tensions, and Corporate Wins
The week in the United States was marked by a combination of economic, market, and political news reflecting a dynamic and uncertain...
Ballestas Group
Sep 21 min read
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From Rate Cuts to Trade Deals - A Week of Shifting Dynamics
The Fed left open the possibility of a rate cut in September, with Jerome Powell warning of a deterioration in the labor market following...
Ballestas Group
Aug 251 min read
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Expansion with Caution - What Moved Markets This Week
President Donald Trump extended the tariff truce with China for 90 days through an executive order, maintaining the current tariffs of...
Ballestas Group
Aug 182 min read
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Calm Seas, Steady Gains - Markets Navigate Trade Currents
President Donald Trump said that the US and China are "very close" to extending their trade truce, which has helped slow the escalation...
Ballestas Group
Aug 111 min read
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Economic Surprises and Political Moves Shape the Week
Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing new tariffs of up to 50% on dozens of countries, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on...
Ballestas Group
Aug 41 min read
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Growth Uneven, Confidence Rising
It was an intense week in the United States, marked by a series of relevant economic news reflecting an uneven economic expansion. The...
Ballestas Group
Jul 281 min read
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Central Banks in Focus as Growth Signals Diverge
In the monetary sphere, tensions persist over the relationship between President Donald Trump and the Federal Reserve. Conflicting...
Ballestas Group
Jul 211 min read
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