Wall Street outlook: Jobs data, Fed rate bets to test US stock rally after strong first half

Wall Street braces for a crucial US jobs report that could sway Federal Reserve interest rate decisions. While the S&P 500 saw first-half gains, June’s volatility, driven by AI stock swings and inflation concerns, has investors on edge. A strong jobs number might fuel fears of further rate hikes, impacting market sentiment. Meanwhile, developments in the Middle East and upcoming corporate earnings also remain key focus areas.