US digest: Jeffries endorses Mamdani, Ford’s stock surge, US sanctions Colombian president
On Friday, US stocks hit record highs amid favorable inflation data, while Ford Motor Company reported robust earnings that bolstered investor confidence.
Meanwhile, political developments in New York and escalating military operations in the Caribbean underscored ongoing geopolitical and domestic dynamics.
Jeffries endorses Mamdani in New York mayoral race
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced his support for Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in New York City’s upcoming mayoral election.
While acknowledging areas of disagreement, Jeffries emphasized that Mamdani secured a “free and fair election” in the Democratic primaries, earning his endorsement.
Mamdani, who will face Republican Curtis Sliwa and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, aims to address the city’s affordability crisis and has pledged to govern inclusively.
The election is scheduled for November 4, marking a pivotal moment in New York politics.
US deploys Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to Caribbean
The US Department of Defense announced the deployment of the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean.
Sean Parnell, assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, noted that the move supports President Donald Trump’s directive to counter narco-terrorism and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations.
The deployment, previously stationed in Europe, falls under US Southern Command and aims to bolster the United States’ capacity to detect and disrupt illicit operations in the region.
Analysts view the deployment as part of a broader US strategy to pressure Venezuela and neighboring countries.
Ford Motor Company shares surge on strong Q3 earnings
Ford Motor Company’s stock jumped 13% on Friday, reaching its highest level since July 2024, after reporting better-than-expected third-quarter results.
Revenue rose 9% year-on-year to $50.5 billion, with net income increasing to $2.4 billion.
Earnings per share climbed to $0.60 from $0.22 a year earlier.
Despite lowering its full-year EBIT outlook due to a plant fire expected to cost up to $2 billion, Ford announced plans to expand F-150 and Super Duty truck production by over 50,000 units in 2026.
US sanctions target Colombian President and officials amid drug fight
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his family, and other senior officials, continuing the US crackdown on drug trafficking.
President Trump criticized Petro’s leadership, labeling Colombia a “drug den,” while Petro condemned US strikes on alleged smuggling vessels, asserting that these actions would not resolve the problem.
Simultaneously, the US deployment of the Gerald R. Ford strike group signals Washington’s commitment to curbing regional narcotics operations.
US stocks rally on softer-than-expected inflation data
Investor optimism was bolstered by September’s consumer price index report, which showed a 0.3% monthly rise and a 12-month inflation rate of 3%, slightly below forecasts.
Excluding food and energy, core CPI increased 0.2% month-over-month and 3% annually.
Major US indices responded strongly, with the Dow Jones rising 472 points (1.01%), the S&P 500 adding 0.79%, and the Nasdaq climbing 1.15%.
Both the S&P 500 and Dow reached intraday record highs, signaling confidence that the Federal Reserve may continue its accommodative rate-cutting path.
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