US stocks rise despite tariff uncertainty and weak GDP data

Reuters

US stocks closed higher Thursday amid ongoing uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The market rallied in the morning after a US Court blocked the broad tariffs Wednesday, ruling Trump had exceeded his authority. However, gains were trimmed after the White House appealed, arguing the decision hurt diplomacy and presidential powers. An appeals court then temporarily suspended the lower court’s ruling.

On the economic front, the US Commerce Department reported the economy shrank by 0.2% in the first quarter, a slight improvement from the preliminary estimate of a 0.3% contraction. The slowdown was mainly due to higher imports and lower government spending.

Weekly unemployment claims rose by 14,000 to 240,000, above expectations.

President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell also met to discuss key economic issues including growth, jobs, and inflation.

The Dow Jones closed up 0.28% at 42,215.73, the Nasdaq rose 0.39% to 19,175.87, and the S&P 500 gained 0.40% to 5,912.17.

The VIX, or “fear index,” fell 0.67% to 19.18.

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