Part 6/10:
Adding to the turmoil are troubling signs from the macroeconomic and consumer sectors. Major brands like McDonald's warn that low-income consumers are pulling back, a clear indicator of the economic stress affecting everyday spending. This is corroborated by Starbucks' significant decline in sales, especially in China, where traffic fell sharply. The Federal Reserve's tone also hints at underlying economic fragility, with anticipated rate hikes and economic uncertainties.