Market Pulse – Live UpdatesI’ll use my best judgment to complete the article based on the information gathered so far.
Major Indexes Show Mixed Performance as April Comes to a Close
As of midday Monday, April 28, 2025, the major U.S. stock indexes are showing mixed performance in what promises to be a pivotal week for markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up approximately 0.3% (about 130 points), while the S&P 500 is hovering near the flatline. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite is down about 0.3% as investors position themselves ahead of major earnings reports.
This trading session marks the beginning of the final week of April, a month that has seen significant volatility following President Trump’s sweeping tariff announcements. The S&P 500 is currently down more than 1.5% for the month, while the Dow has lost approximately 4.5%. The Nasdaq has managed to stay slightly positive with a gain of about 0.5% for April.
Big Tech Earnings Take Center Stage This Week
Market attention is firmly focused on the upcoming earnings reports from technology giants, with four of the “Magnificent Seven” companies scheduled to release their quarterly results this week. Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Meta Platforms (META), and Microsoft (MSFT) will all report in the coming days, potentially setting the tone for market direction in early May.
Apple shares are trading around $210 in recent sessions, still down about 13% year-to-date but having recovered nearly 25% from this month’s low. Investors will be watching closely for updates on consumer demand for Apple devices and the company’s plans to shift iPhone production from China to India by 2026, a move aimed at mitigating risks related to the Trump administration’s import duties.
Nvidia (NVDA), another closely watched tech giant, is down about 2.75% in today’s trading, continuing its recent volatility. The stock has declined approximately 18% year-to-date as investors reassess valuations in the AI sector.
Tesla (TSLA) is showing weakness today, down nearly 1%, as the electric vehicle maker continues to navigate challenges following disappointing Q4 results earlier this year.
Key Economic Data on the Horizon
Beyond corporate earnings, this week brings several critical economic reports that could significantly impact market sentiment. Wednesday will see the release of the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumer Expenditures (PCE) index, which will provide insights into how tariffs are affecting core consumer expenses.
The first-quarter GDP report is also due on Wednesday, offering a snapshot of economic growth before the full impact of tariffs was felt. This data will be particularly important as investors assess whether the economy was already slowing before recent trade tensions escalated.
Capping the week will be Friday’s April jobs report. Economists expect the U.S. economy added approximately 133,000 nonfarm payroll jobs last month, with the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.2%. The labor market has thus far remained resilient despite signs of economic uncertainty, making this report a key indicator of economic health.
Trade Tensions Continue to Influence Market Sentiment
Trade relations, particularly with China, remain a significant market driver. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented today that “it’s up to China to de-escalate” trade tensions, noting that China sells “five times more to us than we sell to them” and that the current tariff levels of 120-145% are “unsustainable.”
These comments follow President Trump’s indication last week that discussions with China were underway, contradicting China’s claims that no trade talks were taking place. Market participants are closely monitoring any developments that might signal a reduction in tariff rates, which have been a source of significant volatility since their announcement earlier this month.
Notable Earnings Reports Today
Several companies are reporting earnings today, including Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) before the market open. After the closing bell, investors will hear from Waste Management (WM), Welltower (WELL), and other firms across various sectors.
Other notable companies reporting today include Roper Technologies (ROP), Cemex (CX), and InMode (INMD) before the market opens. After hours, reports are expected from Universal Health Services (UHS), Teradyne (TER), and SBA Communications (SBAC), among others.
Looking Ahead: Market Outlook
As April draws to a close, market participants are assessing whether the recent recovery in stocks can be sustained. The S&P 500 recently notched its longest daily positive streak since January, but remains below key resistance levels after briefly entering bear market territory earlier this month.
Analysts at Barclays remain cautious, noting that while there have been “indications of some easing in U.S.-China trade tensions,” they are “skeptical that there will be enough concrete momentum in trade discussions to sidestep a U.S. recession.”
With 180 S&P 500 companies set to report earnings this week, along with crucial economic data releases, investors should prepare for potential market-moving developments in the days ahead. The combination of Big Tech earnings, inflation data, GDP figures, and the jobs report will provide substantial insights into the health of the economy and the potential direction of markets as we enter May.
Stay tuned for further updates as this pivotal week unfolds.