Asia And Europe Markets Mixed, Dollar Near 3-Year Lows - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Wednesday, July 2, U.S. markets closed mixed. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached record highs, buoyed by tech sector gains and a trade agreement between the U.S. and Vietnam that eased tariff concerns.

The Dow edged slightly lower. Nasdaq’s strength was led by Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla. Investors are now focused on Thursday’s non-farm payrolls report for signs of potential Fed rate cuts amid weak private payroll data and Centene’s withdrawn 2025 earnings forecast.

In economic data, U.S. private employers cut 33,000 jobs in June, the first drop since March 2023, raising expectations of a Fed rate cut. Economists now see Friday’s jobs report showing a slowdown to 110,000 gains. Markets have priced in a September cut and see a 25% chance of one in July, with a second cut expected by year-end.

Most S&P 500 ...