The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared over 300 points in the early market session as it got an immunity boost from Turkey contagion in the form of the United States and China resuming trade negotiations. Olive branches appear to have been extended between the two economic superpowers as the Chinese Commerce Ministry announced that a delegation will make its way to the U.S. later this month to talk trade.
The Chinese government did not specify the details surrounding the negotiations, but resuming talks is a step forward nonetheless as the China and the U.S. have been engaging in a back-and-forth trade spat that has had negative ramifications for markets around the globe.
“My guess has been that tariffs have been a tactic of the Trump administration” to bring people to the table and negotiate on trade, said Maris Ogg, president of Tower Bridge Advisors. “I think getting this resolved before the midterm has become an imperative to remove that cloud of uncertainty from the market.”
Related: Fed Likely to Increase Rates Unless Turkey Situation Worsens
Walmart Revenues Boost Dow
The Dow got help from Walmart, which gained over 10% as the multinational retail chain reported that revenues rose 3.8% to $128 billion versus the previous year. Sales in Walmart’s US stores rose 4.5 percent, which corroborates with the latest data from the Commerce Department showing that retail sales in the U.S. increased by 0.5% during the month of July.
Despite reporting a loss of $861 million, Walmart has been adding grocery pickup to its US stores and recently expanded the program to more than 1,800 location.
“We’re continuing to aggressively roll out grocery pickup and delivery in the US and we recently announced expanded omnichannel initiatives in China and Mexico,” said Walmart Chief Executive Doug McMillon.
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