U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
Stock Market Stumbles as Trump Reaffirms Tariffs
The stock market took a hit on Friday as President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to imposing sweeping tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.8%, the S&P 500 dropped by 0.5%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite lost 0.3%.
Investors are concerned about the potential impact of these tariffs on the economy, as they could lead to increased costs for consumers and businesses. The White House confirmed that the tariffs, which include a 25% duty on goods from Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, will take effect on Saturday.
Despite earlier optimism driven by solid earnings from Apple and an inflation reading that matched expectations, the tariff news overshadowed these positive developments. The uncertainty surrounding the tariffs has left Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in a wait-and-see mode, with the potential for tariffs to inflame inflation being a key concern.
As the market closes, investors are bracing for the impact of these tariffs and the potential for further volatility in the coming days.
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