Markets Slide as Trump Tariffs Roil Trade; Gold Hits Record High

Reuters

Global markets plunged on Monday as Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China rattled investors, fueling fears of a trade war. A last-minute pause on Mexico’s tariffs helped limit losses, while gold hit a record high and U.S. factory activity returned to growth.

📉 Stock Market Impact

Wall Street drop: The S&P 500 fell 0.38%, while the Dow Jones recovered slightly, closing 0.01% higher.
Tech sector hit: The Nasdaq Composite lost 0.72%, reflecting broader weakness in technology stocks.
Europe’s worst session of 2025: The STOXX 600 plunged 0.87%, while the FTSEurofirst 300 dropped 0.81%.
Asia tumbles: Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.66%, while the MSCI Asia-Pacific index slid 2.04%.

Reuters

💰 Gold Hits Record, Bonds and Currencies React

Gold soared to an all-time high of $2,819.50 per ounce, as investors sought safe-haven assets.
Dollar’s mixed performance: After an initial rise, the dollar index fell 0.51%, while the Mexican peso strengthened 1.14% following the tariff pause.
Euro slides: The euro dropped 0.73% to $1.0286, while the Canadian dollar weakened 0.22% against the U.S. dollar.

🛢️ Oil Prices Rebound, Bitcoin Slips

Crude oil gains: After initial losses, Brent crude rose 0.38% to $75.96 per barrel, while U.S. crude climbed 0.87% to $73.16 per barrel.
₿ Crypto declines: Bitcoin fell 0.91% to $101,215, while Ethereum plunged 17.13% to $2,749.05, extending a broader sell-off in digital assets.

U.S. Factory Activity Expands

📈 Manufacturing returns to growth: U.S. factory activity expanded for the first time since October 2022, signaling stronger industrial demand.
🔍 Federal Reserve impact: Analysts warn the data may delay rate cuts, as a stronger economy could fuel inflation concerns.

⚠️ Market Outlook

Analysts expect continued volatility across stocks, commodities, and currencies, with investors closely watching potential European retaliation and further White House trade moves.

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