U.S. Stock Market Summary for Tuesday, March 11, 2025


1. Major Indices Performance

  • S&P 500: Fell 0.76%, closing at 5,572.07
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Declined 1.14% (−478.23 points) to 41,433.48
  • Nasdaq 100: Dropped 0.28% to 19,376.96
  • Russell 2000: Rose 0.22% to 2,023.59

2. Market Overview

U.S. equities extended their losses on Tuesday amid heightened trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty. President Donald Trump announced a sharp increase in tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum—raising rates to 50%—which triggered renewed concerns about a global trade slowdown. Although some of the tension eased later in the day with signs of dialogue between U.S. and Canadian officials, investor sentiment remained fragile.

The Labor Department’s JOLTS report showed job openings unexpectedly increased to 7.74 million in January, signaling continued strength in the labor market, though it failed to lift the market.

3. Sector Performance

  • Technology: Mixed performance. Notably, Nvidia rose 2.4%, while Tesla gained 4.8%, rebounding from earlier losses.
  • Airlines: Delta Air Lines dropped 7.2% after cutting its sales and profit forecasts. In contrast, Southwest Airlines surged 8.3% after unveiling a new basic economy fare option.
  • Semiconductors: Teradyne tumbled 17.1% on lowered guidance linked to tariff uncertainty.

4. Investor Sentiment & Macro Signals

  • 10-Year Treasury Yield: Increased by 6.9 basis points to 4.285%, reacting to strong job market data.
  • Gold: Climbed 0.81% to $2,922.80 per ounce, reflecting increased demand for safe-haven assets.
  • Cryptocurrencies: Rebounded—Bitcoin surged 5.5% to $83,082, and Ethereum gained 4.5% to $1,946.
  • Oil Prices: Recovered modestly—WTI rose 0.33% to $66.25, and Brent closed at $69.56, up 0.40%.

5. Key Quotes & Commentary

  • President Trump: “Markets go up and down, but we’re rebuilding the country.”
  • Morgan Stanley’s Daniel Skelly: “Much of this correction may be behind us, but volatility isn’t over.”
  • Baird’s Ross Mayfield: “Trump’s trade goals aren’t strictly economic—this administration is clearly willing to absorb damage.”
  • Susquehanna’s Chris Murphy: “As long as Trump keeps shifting tariff stances, volatility will persist.”
  • NewEdge Wealth’s Cameron Dawson: “If tariff uncertainty continues paralyzing business decisions, earnings downgrades are inevitable.”

6. Geopolitical Developments

  • The U.S. and Ukraine agreed to resume military aid and intelligence cooperation following talks in Saudi Arabia.
  • Ukraine signaled openness to a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, though Moscow has yet to confirm participation.

7. Currency & Commodities

  • U.S. Dollar Index fell to 103.42, down from 103.84, reflecting weaker investor confidence.
  • Gold and cryptocurrencies benefited from a shift to safety amid economic anxiety.

Conclusion

Tuesday’s session highlighted continued fragility in the markets, driven by unpredictable trade policy shifts and mixed macroeconomic signals. While some areas like tech and crypto showed resilience, broader market sentiment remains cautious. Investors are now looking ahead to key inflation data—including February CPI and PPI—for further clarity on the economic outlook.

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