Market Jitters Over Tariffs

On Friday, the major stock exchanges in the United States experienced a downturn, shifting from a mostly flat opening to significant losses. This shift was primarily due to escalating fears over tariffs, as reported by Reuters. US President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of imposing reciprocal tariffs on trading partners, a move that has sent ripples through the market.

Impact on Major Indices

By 11:23 am ET, the Dow Jones had dropped by 0.45%, equating to a 200-point tumble. Similarly, the Nasdaq 100 and the S&P 500 weren't spared, with losses of 0.77% and 0.52% respectively. The market's reaction underscores the sensitivity of investors to trade policies and their potential impact on the economy.

Currency Movements

In the currency markets, the euro was trading 0.44% lower against the dollar at 11:24 am ET, with the exchange rate standing at 1.03431. This movement reflects the broader uncertainty and risk aversion among investors, as they navigate through the implications of potential tariff implementations.