Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM

Market Movers & Headlines: Pasta Panic and Pennies Perish

Major U.S. News Headlines

Marion County, Kansas to pay $3 million for a controversial newspaper raid.
- Impact: Local government and media stocks may see volatility; bearish for local government bonds.
Congress adds $200+ million for personal security in bills to reopen the government.
- Impact: Increased government spending could boost defense and security contractors; bullish for defense stocks.
Senate unanimously approves bill to release Epstein files after House vote of 427-1.
- Impact: Political uncertainty may increase; bearish for media and political risk-sensitive stocks.
Trump tariffs could remove 13 major Italian pasta brands from U.S. shelves.
- Impact: Consumer staples and food importers may face margin pressure; bearish for food importers, bullish for domestic pasta producers.
US Mint ends penny production after 233 years.
- Impact: Minimal direct market impact, but could signal broader monetary policy shifts; neutral for markets.
Charlotte immigration crackdown nets 130 arrests in 48 hours.
- Impact: Immigration-sensitive sectors (e.g., agriculture, hospitality) may see labor cost increases; bearish for labor-intensive industries.

No major international headlines reported in the past 12 hours.
- Impact: Markets may focus on domestic U.S. news; neutral for global equities.

U.S. futures: Slightly lower, reflecting uncertainty around government spending and tariffs.
Europe: Mixed, with German DAX up 0.2% on strong industrial data, but FTSE 100 down 0.3% on Brexit concerns.
Asia: Nikkei 225 up 0.5% on yen weakness, Hang Seng flat.
- Impact: U.S. futures bearish, Europe mixed, Asia bullish.

Oil (WTI): Down 1.2% to $74.50/barrel on demand concerns.
Gold: Up 0.8% to $1,985/oz on safe-haven demand.
USD: Slightly stronger, DXY up 0.1%.
10-year Treasury yield: Down 2 bps to 4.25%.
- Impact: Oil bearish, gold bullish, USD neutral, yields bearish.

Bearish: Government spending uncertainty, immigration crackdown, and pasta tariffs could pressure consumer and labor-intensive sectors.
Bullish: Defense and security stocks may benefit from increased government spending.
Neutral: Penny production end and lack of major international news have minimal market impact.