Stocks skidded Thursday as traders continue to pull back from the buying that has propelled markets to record highs in recent months, with upcoming US inflation and jobs data seen as likely to be the next catalysts for action.

Investors have been on a buying spree since shares hit deep lows in the wake of Donald Trump’s April global tariff bombshell, with sentiment buoyed by trade agreements and signs that the Federal Reserve was about to resume its interest rate cut programme.

The US central bank — citing a weak labour market and inflation that has not spiked — last week announced its reduction, and forecast there could be two more this year.

However, while traders have been banking on a period of easing, some Fed officials, including boss Jerome Powell, are trying to take a more cauti

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