Hollywood Studio Stocks Fall After Trump Proposes Foreign Film Tariff

Economic

Stocks

Summary:

Investors in Hollywood's top studios and streaming services were spooked Monday after President Donald Trump proposed implementing a 100% tariff on movies made overseas.

Shares of Netflix, Disney, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery fell ahead of the opening bell, with Comcast-owned Universal also trading slightly down. Here's how those share moves shook out:

Netflix down more than 5%
Disney down more than 3%
WBD down more than 3%
Paramount down more than 2%
Comcast down less than 1%

Trump called tax incentives offered by foreign countries "a national security threat" in a post on Truth Social Sunday night. He said he was authorizing the Department of Commerce to impose a levy on all films produced abroad that are sent to the United States.

How Trump intends to implement these duties is unclear, as is exactly who is being targeted and who would foot that potential tariff bill.

Hollywood studios have long filmed movies overseas, either for tax benefits or to capture the natural setting of international locations. Some films are shot in multiple countries, with many studios having satellite production hubs around the globe.

When Trump first instituted a 25% tariff on imports from Canada, a popular filming location for Hollywood movies and television shows, industry experts told CNBC that it wouldn't have a major impact on production. After all, the majority of projects are shot digitally, and transporting the final product can be done online or with a data storage device. There isn't a physical good that exchanges hands in the same way as, say, toys or clothing that's made in another country.

Questions are already swirling. What part of the production process would be hit with this duty? Would it apply only to movie projects or will TV shows filmed internationally also incur this levy? Are already completed projects exempt?

Additionally, as with the first round of tariff announcements earlier this year, industry experts worry about how these duties will impact relationships with other countries. Hollywood relies on international box office sales to recoup lofty film budgets. China has already closed its doors to Hollywood product. Other regions could retaliate and do the same.

Source: CNBC

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

You understand and acknowledge that there is a high degree of risk involved in trading. Following any strategies or investment methods may lead to potential losses. The content on the site is provided by our contributors and analysts for information purposes only. You are solely responsible for determining whether any trading assets, securities, strategy, or any other product is suitable for investing based on your own investment objectives and financial situation.

Add to Favorites

Glendon

Economic

Forex

U.S. President Donald Trump walks with his nominee for the chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell on their way to a 2017 press event at the White House. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) · Drew Angerer via Getty Images

President Trump appeared to put to rest any lingering concerns that he might fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, ruling that possibility out in an interview that aired Sunday.

"Why would I do that?" he said in the conversation on NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker. "I get to replace the person in another short period of time."

Powell’s term as chair is up in May 2026, and Powell has already made it clear he intends to serve in his post until that end point.

But the president also made it clear that he doesn’t intend to stop calling for the Fed to lower rates. The central bank is not expected to take any action at its meeting Tuesday and Wednesday as it waits for greater clarity about how Trump’s tariffs will affect inflation and the US economy.

Trump told NBC Powell doesn’t want to lower rates "because he’s not a fan of mine. You know, he just doesn’t like me because I think he’s a total stiff."

Trump started the speculation about a possible Powell firing when he said last month on social media that "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough." Less than a week later he told reporters that he had “no intention” of firing Powell.

It apparently was a step that was considered. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told reporters last month that Trump and his team were, in fact, studying whether the Fed chair could be removed.

Trump's attacks on Powell ramped up after Powell said in a speech earlier this month that the president's aggressive slate of tariffs would lead to higher inflation and lower growth and that the Fed would likely hold rates steady for now.

Seemingly acknowledging that slower economic growth could be on the horizon, Trump in an April 21 social media post called for "pre-emptive rate cuts" and referred to Powell as a "major loser."

"There can be a SLOWING of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW."

Many other Fed officials beyond Powell have also urged patience and caution before making any rate moves, given the many uncertainties ahead.

'If you don't like to be criticized, don't take the job'

The race to succeed Powell as Federal Reserve chair is starting to play out in the open.

Two men considered by Fed watchers as possible candidates to eventually assume Powell's seat have offered some pointed public views about the central bank, its mission, and its independence in the days and weeks after Trump ramped up his criticisms in mid-April.

The most critical comments came from former Fed governor Kevin Warsh, considered by many to be a frontrunner for the job when Powell's term is up in May 2026.

Source: Yahoo Finance

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Gerik

Commodity

Spot Purchases Resume on Low Prices

In recent weeks, at least two spot cargoes of LNG were acquired by Chinese firms at roughly $10 per million British thermal units. This represents a direct response to a sharp decline in global spot prices—now at their lowest in about a year—and signals a tactical pivot after earlier contract deferrals and cargo resales. The willingness to re-engage at these levels demonstrates how price signals are driving procurement decisions in real time, rather than merely correlating with seasonal demand patterns.

Despite ranking as the world’s largest LNG importer in 2024, China saw a 24 percent reduction in cargo deliveries during January–April 2025 compared with the same period last year. The downturn was influenced by a combination of weakened industrial output at home and global trade tensions, a relationship that has had a correlational impact on overall import volumes. With the recent uptick in spot buying, Chinese companies are seeking to replenish inventories at attractive rates while hedging against potential supply constraints later in the year.

Regional Price Dynamics and Broader Demand Trends

LNG reference prices across Asia and Europe have trended downward amid concerns that escalating trade disputes could trigger an economic slowdown. While these declines coincided with reduced procurement, the current price trough has created a causal incentive for buyers in price-sensitive markets to step back into the spot market. As Asian and European benchmarks continue to fall, they exert downward pressure on global LNG valuations, yet also open opportunities for opportunistic purchases that might offset prior under-offtake.

Fereidun Fesharaki, Honorary Chairman of FGE, observed on Bloomberg Television that today’s spot prices, though depressed, could climb by 50–60 percent by year-end. This projection suggests a potential re-tightening of the LNG market as summer cooling demand surfaces and maintenance outages constrain supply. Buyers’ recent activity can therefore be viewed as a precautionary measure, establishing inventory cushions in anticipation of a price rebound rather than simply following a broader market correlation.

Indian Buyers Also Return to the Market

Price-driven procurement is not limited to China. Indian importers such as Indian Oil Corp. have booked spot shipments for June delivery, and Gail India is soliciting offers through a tender closing this week. These actions underscore the highly elastic nature of LNG demand in emerging markets, where low spot rates directly trigger buying activity. As both Chinese and Indian firms ramp up purchases, their combined demand may help arrest the recent slide in Asian and European spot prices.

The renewed engagement of two of the world’s most price-sensitive markets marks a turning point in global LNG trade dynamics. If spot rates remain below $12 per mmBtu, further cargo tenders and opportunistic buys are likely to follow. Such activity will not only stabilize prices but may also shift contract negotiations for the next winter season. In sum, the recent purchases reflect a deliberate strategy to capitalize on current price levels—a causal decision rooted in market fundamentals—rather than passive responses to seasonal or geopolitical correlations.

Source: The Business Times

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Adam

Stocks

European bourses had a mixed start to the week on Monday, with U.K. markets closed for a bank holiday, as investors looked ahead to the latest economic data and corporate earnings reports due this week.

Germany’s DAX was last up 0.79%, while Italy’s FTSE MIB was trading 0.15% higher and the French CAC 40 fell 0.55%.

Santander on Monday announced that Austria’s Erste Group Bank had acquired an around 49% stake in Poland-based Santander Bank Polska and 50% of Polish asset manager Santander TFI. Shares in Erste Group were last around 7.7% higher.

Amsterdam-traded shares in Shell meanwhile were last around 1.5% lower after Bloomberg reported the energy giant was evaluating a potential acquisition of its rival BP.

“As we have said many times before we are sharply focused on capturing the value in Shell through continuing to focus on performance, discipline and simplification,” a spokesperson for Shell said in response to CNBC’s request for comment.

French satellite company Eutelsat meanwhile soared, jumping as much as 17%, after announcing the appointment of Jean-François Fallacher, a former executive at telecommunications operator Orange, as its new CEO effective June 1.

Data released Monday showed that Swiss inflation fell to 0% in April compared to the same month a year earlier, coming in lower than expected. Turkish inflation meanwhile rose 3% in the month of April, taking the annual rate to 37.86%.

While it will be a quiet start to the week on the earnings front, several major companies are due to report in the coming days including Novo Nordisk, BMW, Maersk and Commerzbank.

Central Banks across Europe will also be in focus this week, with Sweden’s Riskbank, Norway’s Norges Bank and the Bank of England among those announcing their latest interest rate decisions.

Many Asian markets were also closed for a holiday Monday. Australian stocks fell after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claimed victory as the country’s first prime minister to secure a second consecutive term in 21 years.

U.S. stock futures were last lower after a winning week that saw the S&P 500 record its longest positive streak in two decades. Trade tensions and prospective deals with the U.S.′ key partners continued to be top of mind for investors, as was the upcoming interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve. The central bank is widely expected to keep rates steady.

Source :cnbc

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Michelle

Economic

Stocks

Futures tied to Canada's main stock index fell on Monday, mirroring Wall Street's losses after U.S. President Donald Trump reignited new tariff concerns, while investors awaited the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision this week.

June futures on the S&P/TSX index (.SXFcv1), opens new tab were down 0.4% at 6:20 a.m. ET (1020 GMT).

Trump announced on Sunday a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the U.S., saying the American film industry was dying a "very fast death" due to the incentives offered by other countries to lure filmmakers.

Shares of U.S. film and television production firms were down before the bell.

While the U.S. and China's talks provided a brief respite on Friday, after Beijing said it was considering Washington's offer to discuss Trump's 145% tariffs, the uncertainty around the outcome continues to loom over the markets.

Separately, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Friday he will be in Washington on Tuesday for what he expects to be "difficult but constructive" talks with Trump.

Investors will also focus on the Fed's meeting, where the rates are expected to be kept steady.

Among commodities, gold prices rose more than 1% on Monday, helped by a weaker dollar.

Oil prices dropped more than 2% after OPEC+ decided over the weekend to further speed up oil output hikes, raising concerns about excess supply amid uncertain demand outlook.

The Toronto Stock Exchange on Friday rose to a one-month high, led by gains in industrial shares, as stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data eased investor concerns about a recession.

Source: Kitco

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Gerik

Economic

Market Settles Ahead of Fed Decision

By 4:45 a.m. Eastern on Monday, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note had dipped by less than one basis point to 4.312 percent, while the two-year yield fell just over one basis point to 3.824 percent. This stability illustrates a causal relationship between central bank event risk and reduced trading activity: with the Fed meeting scheduled for Wednesday, major market participants have largely parked fresh directional bets until the policy statement and Chair Powell’s press conference are delivered.

According to CME Group’s FedWatch tool, traders assign better than a 98 percent probability that the Fed will leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at this week’s meeting. While this consensus correlates with recent communications from Fed officials emphasizing the need to gauge incoming data, markets remain keenly focused on any subtle shift in language that could signal whether rate cuts are being contemplated later in the year or if the central bank intends to maintain restrictive settings through 2025.

Political Dynamics and Fed Independence

President Trump’s high-profile entreaties for rate cuts have introduced a clear cause-and-effect dynamic into financial markets. His public criticisms of Chair Jerome Powell, and earlier speculation about a potential removal, created episodes of heightened volatility in short-term Treasuries. Although the administration has since toned down its rhetoric to avoid unnerving investors, the episode underscores how political developments can directly affect bond market sentiment and amplify sensitivity to central bank communications.

This week’s economic calendar features key releases that will provide correlational context for policymakers. Services-sector PMI figures from both S&P Global and ISM will shed light on post-pandemic activity levels, while import and export data will speak to trade-related inflation pressures. Weekly initial jobless claims will offer insight into labor market resilience. Friday’s employment report, showing April nonfarm payrolls up by 177,000—well above consensus expectations—demonstrates a robust jobs environment even as inflation measures remain elevated, complicating the Fed’s decision calculus.

Yield Curve Inversion and Investor Strategy

The difference between the yields on two-year and 10-year Treasuries has persisted in inversion, a pattern historically correlated with forthcoming economic slowdowns. This inversion incentivizes investors to lock in longer-dated yields despite foregoing the typically higher compensation of short-term securities, creating a causal driver for demand in mid- and long-duration notes. Portfolio managers are therefore balancing the hunt for yield with concerns over recession risks.

With Treasury yields hovering near multi-year highs, the near-term trajectory will depend on the Fed’s post-meeting remarks. A dovish tilt could trigger a causal drop in yields as market participants price in eventual easing, whereas a reiteration of restrictive policy would likely sustain or even push yields higher. In either scenario, Treasury markets remain intricately tied to the Fed’s communications, reinforcing the central bank’s pivotal role in shaping fixed-income performance.

Source: CNBC

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Glendon

Economic

Commodity

Stocks

The stock market is stuck in a high-stakes showdown. On one side stands Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. On the other, former President Donald Trump, tariffs in hand. As Powell prepares for a key policy decision, Trump keeps hammering his message: cut rates — and fast.

Trump’s latest tariff moves have reignited fears of a trade-driven slowdown. He wants cheaper money before the economy slows further. Powell, though, is playing defense. He says the Fed needs more clarity. Inflation is still above target, and the labor market hasn’t cracked — yet.

Still, cracks may be forming. GDP shrank in Q1, and some economists say more weakness is coming. The Fed is caught in what one analyst calls a “tug-of-war” between inflation and falling growth. Rate cuts may come, but not before data forces Powell’s hand.

Futures and Sentiment Dip After Winning Streak

U.S. stocks just came off their best run in 20 years. But the rally may be losing steam. Futures tied to the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all dropped slightly to start the week. Investors appear cautious, waiting for direction from the Fed and any updates on trade.

President Trump threw cold water on recent optimism. Over the weekend, he said he has no plans to speak with China’s Xi Jinping soon. Markets, which had bet on resumed talks, slipped in response. Futures fell, oil prices dropped, and the dollar lost ground.

This pullback follows weeks of hope that a China deal could emerge. That hope drove tech and energy shares higher. But now, reality is setting in. With no trade breakthrough in sight and Trump pushing for tariffs, sentiment has turned shaky.

Stock Market Outlook Hinges on FED and Inflation

The stock market is watching the Fed closely. Powell and company are not expected to cut rates at this week’s meeting. But markets want signals. Will the Fed fight inflation — or bow to pressure from the White House?

Inflation data is mixed. The Fed’s preferred gauge shows signs of cooling, but not enough. Price growth is still above the 2% target. And with tariffs likely to raise import prices, inflation could rise again soon. That’s a problem for Powell, who doesn’t want to loosen too early.

Meanwhile, job numbers remain strong — for now. But if unemployment creeps up, that could be the Fed’s trigger. One Fed official even said rate cuts could start if joblessness jumps by just a few tenths of a percent per month. The market is betting cuts begin in June.

Global Jitters: Oil Drops, Currencies Move

Tariffs aren’t just a U.S. problem. Their effects are rippling through global markets. Oil prices tanked after OPEC+ agreed to raise output. With demand weakening thanks to trade uncertainty, crude has fallen over 20% this year.

The dollar, too, is feeling the heat. It slipped for a second day as traders bet the Fed may need to cut. Asian currencies, like Taiwan’s, surged on the move. Meanwhile, investors fear stagflation — rising prices with slowing growth — even if Powell says the 1970s aren’t coming back.

Still, the risk is real. Some economists warn that slower global demand and tariff-fueled inflation could combine to hit growth hard. If that happens, expect central banks to step in — and markets to swing wildly.

Trump’s Tariff Gamble Could Shake the Stock Market Again

Trump’s tariff strategy may backfire on Wall Street. While he claims they’re needed for leverage, businesses and investors are nervous. Many rushed to import goods ahead of deadlines, inflating short-term demand. But that sugar high is fading.

If tariffs stay or get worse, growth could slip fast. That would pressure the Fed to act. But the Fed must also protect its credibility and manage inflation expectations. That tension could lead to choppy markets and political noise.

For now, the stock market is in limbo. Hopes for trade deals are dim. The Fed is cautious. Inflation is stubborn. And Trump is on the offensive. Rate cuts may come — but only if the data demands it. Until then, expect more volatility on Wall Street.