Investors React To Tariff News
The Weekly Update
Week of March 31st, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
Stocks moved lower last week as investors swung from exuberance to disappointment on news over tariffs and inflation.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.53 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index retreated 2.59 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 1.29 percent.
An Up and Down Week
Stocks started the week with a sharp rally after the White House said it may “give a lot of countries breaks” on reciprocal tariffs. The positive momentum continued into Tuesday, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 outpacing the Dow.
Then, midweek, news that the White House was planning additional tariffs on all cars made outside the U.S. rattled markets.
On Friday, investors reacted to a warmer-than-expected inflation report and lower consumer sentiment, putting further pressure on stocks as the week closed.
Noise …