In recent news, stocks have been hit hard following the rise of interest rates both in the United States and abroad. The Federal Reserve's recent rate hike, along with speculation of additional hikes, has had a major effect on stock prices. This has been further exacerbated by the possibility of a US-China trade war. The higher cost of borrowing is seen as a major factor in the decline of stocks, with investors being unwilling to take on additional risk. In the face of this, many investors have been turning towards safer options. Bonds, gold and other commodities are seen as much less risky for investors than stocks, and this has been reflected in their recent surge in prices. With the fresh concerns of trade disputes and the threat of additional rate hikes, investors seem to be preparing themselves for a prolonged period of difficulty in the stock market. The effects of the increased rates have been particularly felt by banking stocks. Banks have an almost unique reliance on borrowing money, and the higher rates mean that banks have seen a drop in their profits. This has caused banks to become increasingly cautious about lending money, thus causing further drops in stock prices, which in turn further discourage investors from buying banking stocks. It remains to be seen how the stock market will fare in the long term, but it looks likely that the increased rate of borrowing will continue to put upward pressure on prices. As a result, investors are advised to remain cautious and to be prepared for any future fluctuations in stock prices. By doing this, they can more easily navigate the markets and make better long-term investing decisions.