Today’s Midday Market Update: Good Friday Closure and Week in Review
Markets Closed for Good Friday as Investors Reflect on Volatile Week
U.S. stock markets are closed today, Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will remain shut for the day, with no pre-market, regular, or after-hours trading sessions taking place on any U.S. index, including the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average.
This holiday closure provides Wall Street traders and investors a moment to reflect on what has been another volatile week dominated by tariff concerns, Federal Reserve commentary, and significant corporate earnings reports.
Thursday’s Market Performance
Before the long weekend began, U.S. equities closed mixed on Thursday (April 17) after a choppy trading session. The S&P 500 edged up 0.13% to close at 5,282.70, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.13% to 16,286.45. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more significantly, dropping 1.33% to end at 39,142.23.
The Dow’s substantial losses were primarily driven by healthcare giant UnitedHealth (UNH), which plummeted approximately 17.2% after lowering its annual profit forecast due to expectations of high medical costs for the remainder of the year. This decline had a ripple effect across the healthcare sector, with other insurers like CVS Health (CVS) and Humana (HUM) falling 6.1% and 6.4% respectively.
In contrast, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly (LLY) surged 13% after announcing promising results for its experimental weight loss pill, orforglipron, which led to weight loss of nearly 8% and lowered blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients.
Tech Sector Developments
The technology sector showed mixed performance on Thursday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) provided a bright spot with its U.S.-listed shares gaining 2.5% after reporting better-than-expected quarterly results.
The “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks showed varied performance in Thursday’s trading:
– Apple (AAPL): Up 1.39% to $196.98
– Microsoft (MSFT): Down 1.03% to $367.78
– Nvidia (NVDA): Down 2.93% to $101.43
– Alphabet/Google (GOOGL): Down 1.38% to $151.22
– Amazon (AMZN): Down 0.98% to $172.63
– Meta (META): Down 0.17% to $501.48
– Tesla (TSLA): Down 0.07% to $241.38
Fed Commentary and Market Reaction
Markets remained unsettled following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments on Wednesday that Trump’s tariff policies could slow economic growth while raising inflation. Powell indicated that the Fed would “await greater clarity on tariffs before determining any policy stance” and notably stated that the central bank would not intervene to calm equity markets.
These remarks triggered a sharp reaction from former President and current U.S. President Donald Trump, who called for Powell’s “termination” in a post on his Truth Social account, claiming it “cannot come fast enough.”
Weekly Performance
Despite Thursday’s mixed performance, all three major U.S. indexes are on track to finish the holiday-shortened week in negative territory. The S&P 500 has tumbled approximately 1.63% this week, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite is down about 2.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost roughly 1.35% over the same period.
This week’s losses follow what had been a period of recovery after the significant market turbulence earlier in April, triggered by the implementation of new tariffs and ongoing trade tensions.
Upcoming Market Events
When markets reopen on Monday, April 21, 2025, investors will shift their attention to several key developments:
Earnings Season Momentum: Several financial institutions are scheduled to report first-quarter results on Monday, including Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS), Preferred Bank (PFBC), Cadence Bank (CADE), and Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL).
Economic Data Releases: The coming week will feature important economic indicators, including flash PMI data on Wednesday that will provide early insights into April economic conditions across major developed economies. U.S. durable goods orders data will be closely watched to assess whether front-loading ahead of tariffs continued into March.
Federal Reserve Commentary: Market participants will be paying close attention to any comments from Federal Reserve officials for clues regarding their prioritization between inflation and growth risks amid the current uncertainty around interest rates and tariff impacts.
International Developments: Bank Indonesia will hold its April monetary policy meeting against a backdrop of heightened currency volatility. Several important data releases are also expected from Asian economies, including South Korea’s GDP and inflation figures from Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
Market Outlook
As traders and investors enjoy the long weekend, market sentiment remains cautious due to ongoing concerns about the impact of tariffs on global trade, inflation pressures, and the Federal Reserve’s potential response to these challenges.
The volatility index (VIX), often referred to as the “fear gauge,” remains elevated above its 50-day moving average, though it has come down from last week’s highs.
When trading resumes on Monday, market participants will be watching closely for any developments over the weekend regarding trade negotiations, particularly between the U.S. and Japan, following President Trump’s comments about “big progress” in those talks.
The combination of ongoing tariff concerns, mixed corporate earnings, and uncertainty around monetary policy suggests that market volatility may continue into next week as investors navigate this complex economic landscape.
