Geopolitical tensions and Wall Street
The recent geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West have had a significant impact on Wall Street, with markets opening in sharp decline. This scenario was triggered by increased hostilities, in particular the use of US Atacms ballistic missiles by Ukrainian forces against Russian territory. This decision, authorized by President Joe Biden, provoked an immediate reaction from Russian President Vladimir Putin, further intensifying
the crisis.
Financial market reactions
At the opening of trading, the Dow Jones recorded a loss of 330.82 points, corresponding to a decline of 0.76%. The S&P 500 also declined, losing 27.77 points, or 0.47%. The Nasdaq saw a decrease of 62.59 points, equal to a decline of 0.33%. These data highlight how geopolitical tensions are weighing on investors, increasing uncertainty and
volatility in financial markets.
Company performance and future forecasts
Despite geopolitical tensions, some companies continue to show positive results. For example, Walmart, the US retail giant, reported an increase in profits and sales in the third quarter of 2024, exceeding analysts’ forecasts. The company also revised its growth estimates for the 2025 financial year upwards, forecasting an increase in consolidated net sales of between 4.8% and 5.1%. This shows that, while markets react to geopolitical crises, there are still sectors that thrive
.
Global situation and inflation
In a global context, Chinese stock markets closed higher, pending the Chinese central bank’s interest rate decision. Shanghai and Shenzhen recorded significant increases, driven by the high-tech sector. Meanwhile, inflation in the Eurozone is confirmed at 2% year-on-year for October 2024, an increase compared to the previous month. Core inflation, which excludes the most volatile components, remains at 2.7%. Across the European Union, annual inflation rises to 2.3%, signaling economic pressure that could influence future central bank decisions
.