Stock market information for Bitcoin (BTC)
- The price is 107947.0 USD currently with a change of 696.00 USD (0.01%) from the previous close.
- The intraday high is 108472.0 USD and the intraday low is 107206.0 USD.
Stock market information for Ethereum (ETH)
- The price is 2440.97 USD currently with a change of 14.48 USD (0.01%) from the previous close.
- The intraday high is 2462.1 USD and the intraday low is 2424.9 USD.
Stock market information for SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY)
- The price is 614.91 USD currently with a change of 3.04 USD (0.00%) from the previous close.
- The latest open price was 612.94 USD and the intraday volume is 86258398.
- The intraday high is 616.38 USD and the intraday low is 610.9 USD.
- The latest trade time is Saturday, June 28, 01:19:00 +0100.
What’s Happening in Finance & Markets – June 29, 2025
Market Overview
Major global indices showed resilience today, with the S&P 500 hovering just shy of record highs and Bitcoin maintaining its position above $107K. U.S. equities extended recent gains, while Treasury yields softened amid renewed hopes for Fed rate cuts.
1. Interest Rates & Federal Reserve Outlook
- Fed Chair Powell continues to favor a cautious “wait-and-see” stance, holding rates steady between 4.25%–4.50%, prioritizing inflation control over immediate cuts (marketwatch.com, thesun.co.uk).
- However, market sentiment is veering dovish. Futures now price in five potential cuts by early 2026, influenced by trader expectations of a post-Powell pivot (ft.com).
- President Trump intensified political pressure, criticizing Powell for keeping rates “artificially high” and hinting at installing a more dovish successor to pursue cuts (axios.com).
2. U.S. Bond Market Sentiment
- Treasury yields have dropped to two-month lows as bond traders anticipate aggressive easing under new Fed leadership (ft.com).
- Bank of America warns of a bifurcated risk scenario: sustained labor strength could delay cuts, while a downturn could trigger rate reductions of up to 75 bps by September (marketwatch.com).
3. Corporate Deal Activity & M&A Surge
- U.S. dealmaking is rebounding: global M&A value rose by 10% YoY to its highest in three years through June. Notable deals include Charter’s $22B acquisition of Cox Communications and Salesforce’s revived $8B purchase of Informatica (wsj.com).
- Private equity transactions also surged despite lower deal counts, indicating a renewed appetite for large-scale mergers ahead of potential rate cuts .
4. Stock Market Highlights
- The S&P 500 and Nasdaq are within striking distance of all-time highs, tracking strong earnings and optimistic macro sentiment (finance.yahoo.com).
- Dow gains of 300–400 points have become more common in recent weeks as trade tensions briefly ease—a marked shift from the volatility seen during tariff-induced sell-offs earlier in the year .
5. Crypto Update
Bitcoin remains stable above $107K, and Ethereum trades near $2,441. This steady posture indicates investor confidence amid macro uncertainty and renewed optimism around rate policy.
6. U.S. Job Market & Economic Outlook
- The key June employment report is due Thursday, with markets sensitive to signs of labor cooling. Robust readings could delay rate cuts.
- Congressional approval of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and ongoing budget negotiations will also shape fiscal policy impacts on markets (investopedia.com).
7. International Rate Moves & Trade Tensions
- In India, HDFC Bank lowered its fixed-deposit rates following the RBI’s repo cut to 5.5%, helping reduce borrowing costs (economictimes.indiatimes.com).
- The Bank of Japan is expected to postpone its next rate hike to early 2026 amid global trade uncertainty (reuters.com).
- In the UK, the Bank of England held rates at 4.25%, balancing stubborn inflation against weak GDP growth (thesun.co.uk).
Market Movers
- Fed futures: Traders are now pricing in five rate cuts by early 2026
- M&A activity: Deal value up 10% YoY; Charter and Salesforce headline headlines (wsj.com)
- S&P & Nasdaq: Close to record highs after resilient earnings
- HDFC Bank FD rates: Lowered in line with RBI cuts
- BOJ policy: Economic forecasts push rate hike to 2026 (reuters.com)
Investor Takeaway
With global equities near record highs, investors should monitor upcoming data sharply: the June jobs report, Fed comments, and Q2 earnings will dictate whether this rally has fuel or will fizzle.
Bond markets are signaling a potential pivot, but central banks remain watchful—risk and reward balance hangs on high-stakes data this week.