Market Recap: Wall Street Closed for Good Friday as Stocks End Mixed Week Amid Tariff Concerns
Based on the search results, I now have enough information to create a comprehensive market recap article for April 18, 2025. I’ll focus on the current market indexes, upcoming events, and major stock news as requested.
Major Indexes Close Mixed Ahead of Holiday Weekend
U.S. stock markets are closed today, Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday, giving Wall Street traders a much-needed breather after a volatile week dominated by tariff concerns and significant corporate earnings reports. The holiday closure affects all major U.S. exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, with no pre-market, regular, or after-hours trading sessions taking place.
Before the long weekend began, U.S. equities showed mixed performance on Thursday. The S&P 500 edged up 0.13% to close at 5,282.70, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.13% to 16,286.45. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a more significant decline, falling 1.33% to end at 39,142.23.
For the week, all three major indexes are heading for losses. The S&P 500 has tumbled 1.63%, the Nasdaq Composite is down 2.5%, and the 30-stock Dow has lost 1.35%, marking a challenging period for investors amid ongoing economic uncertainties.
UnitedHealth Drags Down Dow with Historic Plunge
The Dow’s significant decline on Thursday was primarily driven by healthcare giant UnitedHealth Group (UNH), which suffered its worst drop in a quarter of a century. UnitedHealth shares plummeted 22.38% after the company reported disappointing earnings and slashed its annual profit forecast due to unexpectedly high medical costs for Medicare Advantage customers.
Tech Sector Faces Continued Pressure from Export Restrictions
Technology stocks remained under pressure, with Nvidia (NVDA) falling 2.87% on Thursday, extending its losses from the previous session. The chipmaker disclosed a quarterly charge of approximately $5.5 billion related to U.S. export restrictions on its H20 graphics processing units destined for China and other regions.
However, the tech sector found some support from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM), which reported quarterly results that matched analysts’ expectations. The company notably stated it hasn’t yet seen a drop-off in customer activity due to President Trump’s trade policies, though it cautioned that “uncertainties and risks from the potential impact from tariff policies exist.”
Eli Lilly Leads Gainers with Breakthrough Drug Results
On a positive note, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly (LLY) surged 14.3% after reporting promising trial results for its once-daily pill orforglipron, which could help treat people with obesity and diabetes.
Netflix Impresses in After-Hours Trading
After the market closed on Thursday, streaming giant Netflix (NFLX) reported its first-quarter results, which impressed investors and sent the stock up 3.47% in after-hours trading. During regular trading hours, Netflix had already gained 1.19% as analysts viewed the company as relatively shielded from tariff concerns and economic downturns.
Tariff Concerns Continue to Weigh on Market Sentiment
The ongoing tension between President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell continued to influence market sentiment. Powell reiterated caution over recent tariff-induced inflation, emphasizing that Trump’s policies could “move us further away from our goals” and potentially create a “challenging scenario” for the central bank.
Trump responded by demanding immediate interest rate cuts and openly calling for Powell’s dismissal, adding further uncertainty to already nervous markets. However, Trump also offered some encouraging signals that negotiations with other countries could lead to lower tariffs, which provided a glimmer of hope for investors concerned about a potential trade war.
Economic Data Shows Mixed Signals
Recent economic data has presented mixed signals for investors. The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index unexpectedly plunged into contraction territory, marking its lowest level since April 2023. Housing starts also declined more sharply than anticipated, although building permits showed an increase.
Looking Ahead: Market Reopening and Key Events
U.S. markets will reopen on Monday, April 21, 2025, resuming regular trading hours. Pre-market trading will begin at 4:00 a.m. ET, followed by the regular trading session from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, and after-hours trading until 8:00 p.m. ET.
The coming week will feature several important earnings reports that could significantly impact market direction. Key companies reporting include Verizon Communications (VZ), Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), and Tesla (TSLA) on Tuesday. Wednesday will see reports from AT&T (T), Boeing (BA), GE Aerospace (GE), Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), Ford Motor Co (F), and IBM (IBM).
Later in the week, investors will be watching for results from major companies including Caterpillar (CAT), Merck & Co (MRK), PepsiCo (PEP), Procter & Gamble (PG), Alphabet (GOOGL/GOOG), Gilead Sciences (GILD), Intel (INTC), and Microsoft (MSFT).
As markets reopen next week, investors will be closely monitoring several key developments, including the progression of earnings season, upcoming economic data releases on inflation and consumer sentiment, and any developments in global trade negotiations that could impact tariff policies. The market’s reaction to these factors will be crucial in determining whether the recent volatility continues or if a more stable trend emerges.
