U.S. Stock Market Summary for Tuesday, April 29, 2025

 

Major Indices

  • S&P 500: +0.58% → 5,560.83

  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: +0.75% → 40,527.62

  • Nasdaq 100: +0.61% → 19,544.95

  • Russell 2000: +0.56% → 1,976.52

Market Overview
U.S. equities ended Tuesday higher after a choppy session, as investors digested mixed economic data, corporate earnings, and trade policy updates. Gains were bolstered by optimism surrounding President Trump’s tariff relief measures, particularly in the automotive sector, and the continued momentum in corporate earnings. This marked the sixth consecutive daily gain for the S&P 500 — its longest winning streak since March 2022.

Sector Highlights
The industrials and consumer discretionary sectors outperformed, lifted by strong earnings and improving sentiment. Logistics and travel companies such as UPS and JetBlue Airways were key contributors, reflecting investor confidence in transportation demand and operational resilience.

Economic Snapshot

  • Consumer Confidence: The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 86.0, the lowest reading since May 2020, reflecting heightened anxiety over tariffs and broader economic uncertainty.

  • Trade Balance: The U.S. goods trade deficit widened to $162.0 billion in March, up from $147.8 billion in February, as companies accelerated imports ahead of potential tariff changes. The surge highlights the economic friction from ongoing trade tensions.

Expert Commentary
Keith Lerner of Truist Advisory Services cautioned that the current rally may be approaching a limit, attributing gains more to valuation expansion than improvements in fundamentals.
Lauren Goodwin of New York Life Investments noted that while policy risks may be priced in, earnings volatility is likely to persist.
Anthony Saglimbene of Ameriprise added that it may take several months for tariff impacts to be fully reflected in economic data.

Government & Political Notes
President Trump signed an executive order aimed at easing automotive tariffs by preventing overlap with other duties and reducing levies on foreign parts used in U.S. manufacturing. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant stressed that the burden of ongoing U.S.–China trade negotiations lies with Beijing, while expressing optimism about an imminent trade agreement with India. These developments helped buoy investor sentiment despite geopolitical uncertainty.

Conclusion
Markets closed higher as investor confidence was reinforced by strong earnings and temporary policy relief. However, deteriorating consumer confidence and a ballooning trade deficit signal lingering economic fragility. The outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with attention turning to how long the current rally can sustain amid mixed signals from the economy and policy fronts.

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