On today's podcast: 

1) Tech stocks surge after blowout quarters by Microsoft and Meta, and more Mag 7 earnings on tap as Apple and Amazon report today. Microsoft shares gained more than 8% in after-hours trading while Meta jumped more than 11% after both pledged to spend lavishly on artificial intelligence. Stocks rose in early trading as upbeat earnings helped drive optimism over resilient corporate profits. 

2) Fed Chair Jay Powell bucks pressure from the White House and two dissenters to leave rates unchanged. The dollar dropped, sliding from its highest level since May after Fed Chair Jay Powell Wednesday said no decision had been made about easing policy in September. 

3) President Trump unleashes a flurry of trade surprises ahead of tomorrow's deadline. The president announced tariffs of 15% on imports from South Korea and 25% on imports from India, accompanied by criticism of India's purchases of Russian energy and weapons. Deals are being drafted or have been agreed upon with several countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, and Taiwan, as Trump attempts to create a new global trade order.

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