Today’s Midday Market Update: Stocks Slide as Trump Tariff Threats Rattle Markets

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Major Indexes Point to Sharply Lower Open on Friday

As of midday Friday, May 23, 2025, U.S. stock markets are experiencing significant downward pressure, primarily driven by renewed trade tensions and concerns over the national deficit. The major indexes are all in negative territory, continuing the downward trend that began earlier this week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen approximately 500 points or 1.2% in morning trading, extending its weekly losses to nearly 2%. Similarly, the S&P 500 has dropped 1.4%, putting it on track for a weekly decline of about 2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite is experiencing the steepest decline, tumbling 1.8% as technology stocks face increased selling pressure.

Trade Tensions and Deficit Concerns Weigh on Markets

President Donald Trump’s recent threats of new tariffs against the European Union have sparked investor concerns about potential global trade disruptions. This development comes just days after the House of Representatives cleared Trump’s sweeping tax bill, which now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The combination of potential new tariffs and tax cuts has intensified worries about the U.S. budget deficit, sending Treasury yields higher. The 30-year Treasury bond yield touched 5.161% on Thursday, its highest level since October 2023, while the 10-year Treasury note briefly exceeded 4.6%.

“Even if the inability to reduce the deficit in the U.S. doesn’t lead to default, a large deficit still implies greater bond supply, and perhaps eventual inflation as the debt is monetized to avoid default,” noted Thierry Wizman, global rates and currencies strategist at Macquarie.

Notable Stock Movers

Several major technology companies are experiencing significant price movements today:

Nvidia (NVDA) shares are down over 1% today, continuing their volatile performance this month. The AI chipmaker had previously surged in mid-May, gaining over 4% on May 14 amid strong momentum in tech stocks.

Tesla (TSLA) is trading down approximately 1.2% at midday, reversing some of the gains it made earlier this month when it climbed more than 5% alongside other tech giants.

Alphabet (GOOGL) shares are under pressure today, following a pattern of volatility that saw the stock plunge in early May before recovering somewhat. The company continues to face challenges related to regulatory concerns and market competition.

Disney (DIS) has shown relative strength compared to the broader market, building on positive momentum it gained earlier this month when it surged following positive corporate announcements.

Upcoming Market Events

Investors are closely monitoring several key economic reports and corporate earnings releases:

– Today’s economic calendar includes building permits and new home sales data, which could provide insights into the health of the housing market.

Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) reported earnings before market open, with analysts expecting earnings per share of $1.59, representing a 19.55% increase compared to the same quarter last year.

Frontline Plc (FRO), a shipping company, also released quarterly results this morning, with consensus estimates projecting earnings per share of $0.18, a 70.97% decrease from the year-ago period.

– Several other companies are scheduled to report earnings today, including Legend Power Systems, which will release its Q2 2025 financial results.

Looking Ahead

Market participants should note that U.S. markets will be closed on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday, potentially leading to lighter trading volumes as the day progresses. Analysts suggest that market volatility could persist in the coming weeks as investors continue to assess the impact of potential trade policies, tax legislation, and their effects on corporate earnings and economic growth.

As we head into the long weekend, traders will be weighing whether the recent market pullback represents a buying opportunity or the beginning of a more sustained correction after the strong rally seen in mid-May.

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.