U.S. equities advanced during the week, supported by several reports indicating that the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China could be de-escalating. Speculation around near-term agreements with several other trading partners also appeared to be a tailwind, as were comments from President Donald Trump that appeared to walk back his recent threat to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Some better-than-expected corporate earnings releases during the week also seemed to be a driver of positive sentiment. According to data from FactSet, 73% of the companies that had reported first-quarter results through Friday morning had beaten consensus earnings expectations. The Nasdaq led the rally, up 4 days in a row (including 3 days gaining more than 2% in a row - the most since 2001).

Major US stock indexes finished the holiday-shortened week mixed. Smaller-cap indexes outperformed, with the Russell 2000 Index posting gains, while the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indexes all closed the week lower. The Tech sector was a notable decliner during the week, due in part to news that the U.S. government would add new restrictions on exports of chips to China in a further escalation of the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Hawkish comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell appeared to add to the negative sentiment in the latter half of the week. On the macro side, US consumer spending rose 1.4% yoy in March, the highest monthly increase in over two years, as consumers rushed to buy cars ahead of the Trump administration’s 25% tariff on automobiles.

U.S. stocks closed higher after a volatile week in which a slew of trade-related headlines continued to dominate investor sentiment. The week opened with equities sharply lower, as negative sentiment intensified ahead of Wednesday’s implementation of the Trump administration’s latest round of tariffs. However, on Wednesday, Trump announced that he was authorizing a 90-day pause on the higher reciprocal tariffs for most countries to allow time for negotiations. The news sent stocks rocketing higher, with the Nasdaq Composite gaining over 12% and logging its second-best day on record.

Stocks fell sharply in response to the Trump administration’s announcement of a broad range of harsher-than-expected tariffs, which fueled concerns around the potential for slowing economic growth, resurgent inflation, and a possible recession. Small-cap stocks lagged as the Russell 2000 Index lost about 10% and ended the week down over 30% from its all-time high, while the S&P 500 Index posted its worst weekly performance in over five years. The tariff announcement led to the largest one-day decline for some indexes since 2020 on Thursday, and stocks continued to slide through Friday. Several countries, including China, began to announce retaliatory tariffs and plans for negotiations with the U.S., adding to trade war fears and broader uncertainty around global trade policy.

U.S. stock indexes declined during the week, largely driven by weakness in IT and communication services sectors, while value stocks outperformed growth shares for the 6th consecutive week. Several new tariff announcements—including a 25% levy on all non-U.S.-made automobiles—as well as concerns around a broader economic slowdown and weakening consumer sentiment weighed on stocks. Adding to these concerns, the core PCE price index—the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation—rose 0.4% in February, up from January’s reading of 0.3%. On a year-over-year basis, the core PCE rose 2.8%, remaining well above the Fed’s long-term inflation target of 2%. The data release appeared to help drive stocks lower on Friday to finish the week near their worst levels. U.S. Treasuries were little changed as yields were volatile.

U.S. stocks closed the week higher, with most indexes snapping multi-week declines. Major indices rebounded on Friday after President Donald Trump said there would be some “flexibility” with tariffs. However, he maintained that the tariffs implemented at the April 2 deadline will be reciprocal, saying all countries that have tariffs on U.S. goods will be charged. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was the best weekly performer, advancing 1.2% while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite was the worst-performing index during the week. Value outperformed growth for the fifth consecutive week, bringing its total year-to-date outperformance to 897 basis points.

A rally on Friday couldn’t spare US stocks from weekly losses. The Dow fell roughly 3.1% for its worst week since March 2023. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both dropped more than 2% and posted their fourth consecutive losing week. Ongoing uncertainty surrounding trade policy seemed to drive much of the negative sentiment as new tariff announcements continued throughout the week. Growth concerns and increasing recession fears—which were amplified by comments from President Trump regarding a “period of transition” for the U.S. economy—also weighed on sentiment during the week.

Stocks suffered their worst week in six months as an avalanche of geopolitical and macro-economic headlines crossed paths with an ugly technical situation. The S&P 500, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 indices all fell by over 3%, while the Dow Jones shed 2.37%, erasing most of its year-to-date gains. Ongoing uncertainty around trade policy remained a focal point throughout the week. Macro data shows manufacturing growth slowing while services activity is accelerating. The U.S. economy added 151,000 jobs in February, slightly below expectations but ahead of January’s reading of 125,000. In Europe, the STOXX Europe 600 Index ended 0.69% lower, snapping 10 weeks of gains.

Most U.S. stock indexes declined for the 2nd consecutive week, although the Dow finished 0.95% higher, adding to its year-to-date outperformance versus the other major indexes. Growth stocks significantly underperformed, and the Nasdaq recorded its worst weekly drop since early September as shares of NVIDIA fell 8.5% on Thursday following the chipmaker’s highly anticipated earnings report. Tariff fears also continued to be a drag on equities as President Trump reiterated plans to impose new levies on several trade partners by March 4. On the macro side, the US core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose by 0.3% in January, in line with expectations.

Major equity indexes declined during the week after the S&P 500 closing at record highs on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, indexes retreated sharply in the latter half of the week. Many of the week’s headlines centered around tariff news and amid President Trump’s efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Investor’s sentiment worsened on Thursday partially due to Walmart’s Q4 earnings report. While the retailer beat estimates for the quarter, its guidance for the year ahead fell short, which led to concerns regarding consumer spending and the health of the overall economy. Elsewhere, the S&P Global flash Composite PMI reading came in at a 17-month low of 50.4.