Dow falls 649 points, S&P, Nasdaq slide on tariff fears
Published On Mar 3, 2025, 4:47 PM
U.S. stock markets experienced a significant decline as fears mounted over new tariffs to be implemented by President Trump against Canada and Mexico. The Dow Jones fell nearly 700 points (1.48%), while the Nasdaq dropped by 2.6% and the S&P 500 by 1.7%. This downturn was exacerbated by poor manufacturing data and concerns about a potential economic slowdown, as indicated by a decline in the ISM new orders index and consumer confidence. Defensive sectors, such as consumer staples and healthcare, showed minor gains, while technology and energy sectors were hit hardest. The yield on the 10-year Treasury reached a three-month low, reflecting investor caution during this tumultuous period.
Stock Forecasts
XLK
Negative
The imposition of tariffs on Canada and Mexico is likely to exacerbate economic slowdown fears, particularly through adverse effects on the manufacturing sector. This creates a negative outlook for affected sectors, notably technology and energy, which have already seen declines. Overall market volatility may lead to further sell-offs in the near term as investors digest these developments more fully.
XLP
Positive
Given the increase in tariffs, investors may seek safer investments, leading to a rotation into defensive sectors like consumer staples and healthcare. This shift can negatively impact growth-oriented stocks and ETFs, with potential continued pressure on indexes like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
Related News
How Wall Street pros are looking at fears over a US economy slowdown
Mar 2, 2025, 9:00 AM
The stock market just capped off a rough month of February, leaving some on Wall Street expecting investors to grow more defensive in the weeks and months ahead.
Inflation gauge favored by Fed showed prices grew as expected in January
Feb 28, 2025, 8:33 AM
The Commerce Department released its PCE inflation reading for January which showed prices rose in line with economists' expectations according to the Fed's favored inflation gauge.
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures rise amid in-line inflation print, while tariff risks loom
Feb 28, 2025, 8:42 AM
Investors are waiting for the release of the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge as they eye Trump’s latest trade threats.