Earnings Uncertainty and Tariff Fears Rattle U.S. Markets
Wall Street ended the week on shaky ground as growing uncertainty around Trump’s trade strategy and early signs of earnings weakness weighed on investor confidence.
A temporary 90-day pause on new tariffs did little to ease concerns, especially as new duties on steel, aluminum, and Chinese imports remain in focus.
The S&P 500 slipped by 1.5% over four trading days, while both the Dow and Nasdaq fell more than 2.5%. Investors are watching for clarity, but so far, mixed signals from the White House and the Federal Reserve are keeping volatility high.
This week, over 120 companies in the S&P 500 are set to report earnings, with tech giants Alphabet and Tesla drawing particular attention. Both stocks have been hammered in early 2025—Alphabet is down nearly 20%, and Tesla has plunged over 40%, reversing much of their gains from the previous two years. Their upcoming results could be pivotal in determining whether the tech-led rally of 2023–2024 still has legs.
READ MORE:
DOGE Hits $0.1550 Wall, SHIB Whales Accumulate 874B, BlockDAG X1 Miner Tops 1M Users & $215M Presale
On top of that, Nvidia spooked markets after announcing a $5.5 billion hit due to new export restrictions. The sell-off deepened when Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank needs more time before adjusting interest rates, offering no clear path forward.
Earnings season has had a sluggish start. Just 71% of early reporters have beaten profit estimates—below the five-year average—and their wins are narrower than usual. With so much at stake, investors are hoping for clearer guidance as to how companies are managing rising costs and global trade tensions.
Strategists warn that without progress on tariffs or more optimistic earnings reports, markets could begin pricing in recession risk more aggressively as summer approaches.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at Coindoo
Alex is an experienced finance journalist and a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain and fintech industries, he deeply understands the complex and constantly evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His passionate approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and insightful content. Follow up on his content to be up to date with the most important trends and topics.
