Weekly Financial Update July 13, 2018

U.S. equities push higher for a second consecutive week as the ongoing trade spat with China took a back seat to a positive start to the earnings season. The S&P 500 Index advanced to 1.5% led by the industrials and technology sectors, while Walt Disney Co., The Boeing Co., and Caterpillar Inc. propelled the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a 2.3% weekly gain. 

Following President Trump's announcement of an additional $200 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese goods, China said it was "forced to retaliate," according to a statement on the Commerce Ministry's website. It is unclear how Chia will respond. Investors and commentators worry that China will likely counter by restricting U.S. companies' access to its markets. 

Read more about these topics and U.S. consumer inflation and sentiment  in our Weekly Financial Market Update.