Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P 500 Futures Rise With Earnings, China Talks in Focus

The job market is stuck in a lukewarm phase—not terrible, but far from impressive. Job growth has slowed to 130,000 positions per month this year, a noticeable drop from 168,000 in 2023 and the booming 400,000 monthly average during the post-pandemic rebound. Fewer workers are quitting, signaling less confidence in finding better opportunities. Basically, things aren’t collapsing, but they’re not exactly thriving either.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t a red-alert situation, but it’s worth watching. A cooler job market means less upward pressure on wages and fewer opportunities for workers to jump ship for higher pay—which could slow spending and economic growth. For employers, it might ease hiring struggles, but for everyone else, it hints at a economy that’s lost some momentum. Not a crisis, just a shrug-worthy slowdown.

Presidential candidate RFK Jr. recently suggested that psychedelic drugs like psilocybin (the active compound in "magic mushrooms") could gain FDA approval for treating depression and trauma—if backed by solid clinical research. This comes as Compass Pathways, a company developing synthetic psilocybin, reports promising trial results for depression treatment. It’s a sign that mainstream medicine might be warming up to psychedelics after decades of stigma.

Editor’s Note: Psychedelics have long been dismissed as fringe or dangerous, but this signals a potential turning point. If research keeps showing benefits for tough-to-treat conditions like depression, we could see a major shift in how mental health care works—and who has access to it. It’s not just about policy; it’s about offering new hope to people who’ve hit dead ends with traditional therapies.

Stocks took a step back today, the euro lost some ground, and oil prices shot up—all while investors kept a close eye on the latest tariff developments. It’s one of those days where global markets seem to be reacting to every whisper of trade policy shifts, with uncertainty weighing things down.

Editor’s Note: When tariffs enter the conversation, markets tend to get jittery. Higher oil prices could mean pain at the pump, and if the euro’s slipping, it might signal broader worries about Europe’s economy. For everyday folks, this could trickle down into everything from travel costs to grocery bills—so it’s worth keeping an eye on.

The article highlights how the Trump administration's tariffs are leading to higher prices for everyday Americans. While the policy aims to protect domestic industries, consumers are feeling the pinch as imported goods—from electronics to groceries—become more expensive. It’s a classic case of economic policy with real-world consequences for household budgets.

Editor’s Note: Tariffs might sound like a distant political issue, but they directly hit your wallet. If you’ve noticed prices creeping up on things like appliances, clothing, or even some foods, this could be why. It’s a reminder that trade wars aren’t just about governments—they trickle down to the checkout line.

After a second high-profile killing of an executive in Manhattan in under a year, businesses are scrambling to reassess their security measures. The latest incident has sparked urgency among companies to tighten protections for employees, especially in high-risk urban areas.

Editor’s Note: When violence hits close to home—literally, in this case—it forces companies to confront gaps in their security plans. This isn’t just about corporate policies; it’s about real fear and the need to reassure employees they’re safe at work. For New York’s business community, these tragedies are a wake-up call that could reshape office safety norms.