Financial markets appear to be settling into a more stable groove at the start the second half of the year, helped by progress on initial trade agreements, especially with China. Stocks recently reclaimed record highs, bond yields have eased off their recent peak and the U.S. economy has been holding up fairly well.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on July 1 told a global audience of world bankers, economists, and academics what could prompt a long-awaited U.S. interest rate cut later this month. 💵💰 Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter 💰💵+