Stock Market Today: Markets Closed for Memorial Day Amid Trade Tensions

Major Indexes Reflect Friday’s Decline as Markets Observe Holiday

The U.S. stock market is closed today, Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day. This comes after a challenging week for investors, with all three major indexes closing in negative territory on Friday amid renewed trade tensions.

The S&P 500 ended Friday’s session down 0.67% at 5,802.82, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 1% to 18,737.21. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 256.02 points, or 0.61%, closing at 41,603.07. These declines contributed to weekly losses exceeding 2% for all three major indexes.

Trade Tensions Resurface as Key Market Driver

Friday’s market retreat was primarily triggered by President Donald Trump’s renewed trade threats. Trump suggested implementing a 25% tariff on Apple (AAPL) products not manufactured in the United States and recommended a 50% tariff on European Union imports starting June 1, 2025.

Apple shares fell 3% following the announcement, while other tech giants also declined, with Meta (META) dropping 1.42% and Nvidia (NVDA) falling 1.08%. The market’s reaction highlights investor concerns about potential disruptions to global supply chains and corporate earnings.

“We’ve had this de-escalation tailwind at the market’s back for like six weeks now — and the market has had one of its best six-week stretches in the last 75 years — and a re-escalation of trade war rhetoric threatens that,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategist at Baird.

Asian Markets React to U.S. Trade Policy Developments

While U.S. markets remain closed today, Asian markets traded mixed as investors assessed Trump’s postponement of the 50% tariffs on European Union imports. South Korea’s Kospi index advanced 2.02% to close at 2,644.40, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended 1% higher at 37,531.53.

In contrast, mainland China’s CSI 300 index lost 0.57%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.45%, with Chinese tech stocks among the worst performers. BYD plunged 7.70% and Geely Automobile retreated 7.29% amid concerns about the ongoing U.S.-China tariff tensions.

U.S. futures ticked up in early Asian trade, suggesting a potential positive opening when markets resume trading on Tuesday.

Key Economic Events and Earnings This Week

Investors are looking ahead to a busy week of economic data releases and corporate earnings that could significantly impact market direction:

– Federal Reserve Chair Powell’s speech later today and FOMC minutes scheduled for Thursday will provide crucial insights into U.S. monetary policy outlook.

– Key inflation indicators will be released, including Australia’s Consumer Price Index data on Wednesday and the U.S. Core Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index on Friday.

– China’s purchasing managers’ index readings on Saturday will assess whether the world’s second-largest economy’s activities continued their deceleration.

On the corporate front, several major technology companies will report earnings:

– Chinese tech giant Meituan reports today, followed by Xiaomi, Kuaishou, and PDD on Tuesday.

– Nvidia (NVDA), a key player in the AI sector, reports on Wednesday and is anticipated to deliver revenue growth exceeding 60% and net income growth surpassing 40%. Investors will closely monitor Nvidia’s Blackwell Ultra GPU contributions and the impact of China export controls.

– Salesforce (CRM) also reports on Wednesday, while Dell (DELL) announces results on Thursday.

Market Outlook

Analysts suggest that trade tensions will likely remain a permanent fixture during Trump’s second term, creating a “roller coaster ride” for investors. The proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is also raising concerns, as it’s projected to increase the current deficit by an additional $3.8 trillion through 2034.

As markets navigate these challenges, investors should maintain diversification across regions and prepare for continued volatility in the weeks ahead.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We are not financial professionals. The authors and/or site operators may hold positions in the companies or assets mentioned. Always do your own research before making financial decisions.