Ben Berkowitz

4 days ago | axios.com | Ben Berkowitz

Data: Financial Modeling Prep. Chart: Axios VisualsFinancial markets are discounting the risk of escalation in the Middle East, after more than a day passed without any retaliation from the Iranian side. Why it matters: Nothing seems to be able to stop the rally that has driven U.S. stocks more than 20% higher since early April. By the numbers: Most asset classes had a knee-jerk reaction last night that turned calm, orderly — and even slightly risk-on — by this morning.

1 week ago | axios.com | Ben Berkowitz

President Trump speaks to reporters at a New Jersey airport. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)Farmers may be able to keep employing undocumented workers, without fear of raids, under a system where they would assume "responsibility" for them, President Trump said Friday. Why it matters: The administration has changed its position repeatedly in recent weeks on whether farm workers were subject to more aggressive immigration crackdowns or not.

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Ben Berkowitz

A U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania. Photo: Justin Merriman/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesU.S. Steel and Nippon Steel said Friday they have entered into a security agreement with the U.S. government, as President Trump signed an executive order allowing their proposed partnership to proceed. Why it matters: It's a major hurdle cleared toward the two companies' eventual combination, though the exact structure of the deal still remains mostly unclear.

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Ben Berkowitz

Data: LPL Financial; Chart: Axios VisualsIt's Friday the 13th, so make sure to toss salt over your shoulder, watch out for ladders, knock on various pieces of wood — oh, and maybe buy some stocks too. Why it matters: Believe it or not, the stock market tends to do better on Friday the 13th than other days. By the numbers: Since 1928, the market on average returns a 0.09% gain on Friday the 13th, per data from LPL Financial's chief technical strategist Adam Turnquist.

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Ben Berkowitz

President Trump holding a trade report at a "Liberation Day" event. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesThe latest U.S. trade deal with China may let the economy take a brief breather, but it's far from being able to relax. Why it matters: Months of real-time uncertainty are being replaced with longer-term uncertainty, with trade policy living on three-to-six-month cycles that make business planning a nightmare.