Wall Street added to growth: Apple on high, Nvidia in the red
On Tuesday, the US stock market showed moderate growth: shares of the giant Apple rushed up, while Nvidia shares went down. Investors closely reacted to fresh data on public sentiment and began to base expectations for the White House to ease trade policy next week.
Inflation risks weigh on the S&P 500 index
Concerns about a possible rise in inflation and a slowdown in economic growth caused by tariff policy continue to put pressure on the stock market. Since the start of 2025, the S&P 500 has fallen by about 2%, putting it on track for its first quarterly loss since the summer of 2023.
Moody's warns: deficit grows, resilience declines
Investors were further worried by a statement from the rating agency Moody's. According to it, the financial stability of the United States continues to deteriorate. The reasons are the growing budget deficit and the declining availability of borrowing against the backdrop of increasing public debt.
Sentiment is falling: the consumer confidence index has reached a 4-year low
Fresh statistics have added alarming notes to the picture of the day - American consumer confidence has fallen sharply. In March, the index fell to 92.9 points, which was the lowest value since February 2021. This signals that households are increasingly concerned about the economic outlook.
Tech in Focus: Apple Keeps Nasdaq Afloat
Apple shares gained 1.4%, which played a key role in the Nasdaq index closing in the green. At the same time, Nvidia shares fell by 0.6%, slightly cooling the tech optimism in the market.
Tesla soars amid a decline in positions in Europe
Tesla shares jumped by 3.45%, continuing an impressive growth - they had already gained 12% the day before. However, this leap occurred despite less than encouraging data: in February, the company's share of the European market declined again. Sales of Tesla electric cars fell for the second month in a row, despite the overall growth in electric vehicle registrations on the continent.
KB Home Loses Ground: Forecast Revised Downward
Builder KB Home shares fell sharply, by more than 6%, after the company announced a cut in its revenue forecast for the full year 2025. This has caused concern among investors considering the risks of a slowdown in the housing sector.
Indices Close in the Green, but Without Fireworks
Tuesday's trading session was mixed. The S&P 500 index showed a modest increase of 0.16%, closing at 5,776.65 points. The Nasdaq added 0.46%, reaching 18,271.86, and the Dow Jones was practically unchanged, rising by just 0.01% to 42,587.50 points.
Sector Leaders: Communications and Consumer Staples Lead the Way
Of the 11 key S&P 500 sectors, seven ended the day in positive territory. Communications services posted the biggest gain, up 1.43%. Consumer staples companies followed, adding 0.98%.
Fed Sounds Alarm: Uncertainty Rises
New York Federal Reserve President John Williams warned that businesses and Americans alike are feeling growing uncertainty about the country's future economic direction. The statement was another sign that market participants are nervously scanning the horizon — and looking for stability that is nowhere in sight.
Key Indicator of the Week: All Eyes on PCE
The highlight of the economic agenda this week will be the release of the Personal Consumption Price Index (PCE), a key inflation indicator that the Federal Reserve closely watches. It is scheduled for release on Friday and is already causing a stir among analysts and investors.
CrowdStrike Stocks Rise on Confidence
Cybersecurity company CrowdStrike jumped 3.3% after a positive signal from BTIG. The brokerage upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy, sparking immediate excitement amid growing interest in digital security.
Bears outnumber the gainers
Despite some bright spots, the overall mood in the market was pessimistic. In the S&P 500 index, the number of shares that lost money outnumbered those that gained money by 1.3 to 1. This highlights the unsustainability of the current growth and the continuing skepticism among investors.
Global markets are slowing down
The MSCI World Index, which started the week with a brisk 1.2% gain, slowed to a modest 0.3% on Tuesday. At the start of the new session, it was even balancing around zero, reflecting the global indecision of the markets.
In Asia, the dynamics were similar: the Japanese Nikkei started with a gain of 1%, but by midday it had already lost half of its gain. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong initially added more than 1%, but by midday it had slowed to 0.3%.
US Futures Falter, Europe Upbeat
Key US index futures are hesitant, moving from a slight rise to an equally slight decline. Meanwhile, Europe's STOXX 50 is hinting at a modestly positive start to the day, with a 0.1% gain forecast.
New Tariffs: Venezuelan Oil Under Attack
Amid an already tense trade environment, investors have received another reminder of how volatile global politics can be. The US announced a 25% tariff on oil and gas imports from Venezuela, adding to the pressure on the energy market and adding to the headaches of analysts.
Trump Liberation Day: A Hint or a Smokescreen?
President Donald Trump has dubbed next Wednesday Liberation Day – and the announcement has only added to the mystery. Investors are wondering if this day will be a turning point in trade policy: either a softening of the rate or a new round of protectionism. As before, Trump's intentions are hard to read, making every comment a market lottery.
UK inflation in focus: Bank of England rate in question
European markets are focused on the upcoming publication of the UK consumer price index data. With trade tensions escalating, analysts are beginning to doubt whether the Bank of England will be able to ease monetary policy. The prospect of rate cuts is becoming increasingly illusory.
London strengthens defense: additional billions for the army
Today, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver a fiscal report to Parliament. According to insiders, she intends to announce the allocation of an additional 2.2 billion pounds sterling (approximately $2.84 billion) for national defense needs. This decision reflects London's growing concerns about global instability.
France: From consumer sentiment to economic interrogation
France will also present economic data, with consumer confidence and employment reports due out. In addition, Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau will answer questions from the National Assembly's Finance Committee. The focus will be on the state of the French economy amid external challenges.
US: Fed speeches in focus
On the other side of the Atlantic, the key events of the day will be speeches from Federal Reserve officials. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari and St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem will give speeches that could shed light on the future of interest rates and the regulator's response to global risks.
