Market Recap: S&P 500 Flirts with Correction as Tariff Concerns Loom
The stock market experienced significant volatility on Thursday, March 13, 2025, as investors grappled with renewed tariff concerns and digested recent economic data. This end-of-day update provides a comprehensive overview of the current market landscape, highlighting key indexes, upcoming events, and major stock movements.
Market Indexes: A Mixed Bag
As of the market close on March 13, 2025:
– The S&P 500 dropped 1.4% to 5,523.35, teetering on the edge of correction territory. A close below 5,529.74 would mark a 10% decline from its February 19 record high, officially entering a correction.
– The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 522 points, or 1.3%.
– The Nasdaq Composite, which had already entered correction territory last week, declined 1.9%.
The market’s downward trajectory was primarily driven by President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats, which have reignited concerns about global trade tensions and their potential impact on economic growth.
Upcoming Market Events
Investors should keep an eye on these key economic events in the coming days:
1. Producer Price Index (PPI) – Final Demand (March 14, 2025): Economists expect a 0.3% increase, which could provide insights into inflationary pressures.
2. Consumer Sentiment (Preliminary) (March 14, 2025): This report will offer a glimpse into consumer confidence and spending patterns.
3. Jobless Claims (March 14, 2025): Weekly unemployment claims data will be released, providing an update on the labor market’s health.
Major Stock News and Movements
The “Magnificent Seven” stocks, which have been market leaders in recent years, experienced mixed fortunes:
– Nvidia (NVDA): The chip giant attempted a rebound as analysts remained bullish, but the stock has fallen more than 20% year-to-date.
– Tesla (TSLA): The electric vehicle maker’s shares continued their downward spiral, having lost an alarming 45% so far in 2025.
– Apple (AAPL): The tech giant received a price target cut from Morgan Stanley, contributing to its underperformance.
– Meta Platforms (META): Bucking the trend, Meta remains the only Magnificent Seven stock in positive territory for the year.
– Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), and Alphabet (GOOGL): These tech giants are now considered undervalued according to Morningstar’s fair value metrics.
In other notable stock news:
– Intel (INTC): Shares jumped as much as 11% after the company named a new CEO, signaling potential strategic shifts.
– Adobe (ADBE): The software firm saw its stock decline following weak earnings results.
Market Outlook and Analyst Perspectives
The recent market turbulence has led some analysts to reassess their outlook:
– Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research cut his S&P 500 forecast to 6,200 from 6,500, citing concerns about the impact of tariffs on inflation and economic growth.
– Morningstar strategists continue to recommend underweighting growth stocks, as valuations for some mega-cap tech companies have become more attractive.
As the market navigates through these challenging times, investors are advised to stay vigilant and monitor upcoming economic data releases, particularly those related to inflation and consumer sentiment. The ongoing tariff discussions and their potential economic ramifications will likely continue to influence market sentiment in the near term.
In conclusion, while the current market environment presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for discerning investors to reassess their portfolios and potentially capitalize on undervalued stocks in the tech sector and beyond.
