USA: Stocks Edge Higher Amid Trade Tensions Ahead of CPI.

Stocks in the US were slightly higher on Monday as investors looked past renewed tariff threats from President Trump and focused instead on key events ahead, including the kickoff of second-quarter earnings season and the release of June inflation data. The S&P 500 added 0.2%, the Dow rose by over 50 points, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.4%, supported by gains in tech stocks such as Meta and Netflix. Trump’s announcement of 30% tariffs on goods from the European Union and Mexico starting August 1 sparked concerns about global trade and inflation. Major banks like JPMorgan and Wells Fargo report earnings this week as investors look for signs of economic strength. Tuesday’s CPI report may show tariff-driven inflation and guide Fed policy. Among megacaps, Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, and Broadcom traded lower, while Meta and Alphabet posted gains and Amazon hovered near the flatline. Tesla rose 2.1% after Elon Musk said shareholders would vote on the company’s investment in xAI.