Stanchion
NEW YORK (AP) – As Wall Street grows at the end of a brutal week, US stocks are falling with previous profits slashing after nervously anticipated economic reports approach expectations.
The S&P 500 dropped by 1% in noon trading after eliminating its early gain of 0.6%. In each of the last six days, the stretch of punishment for swinging at least 1% and up and down is gone, and it’s been going well in the worst week since 2022.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 340 points (0.8%) as of 11:45am, while the Nasdaq composite was 1.4% lower.
The focus is on the job market, where the U.S. Labor Bureau said last month it added 151,000 jobs than employers cut. That was slightly below economists’ expectations, but it was a surge from employment in January.
US stocks are struggling, with the S&P 500 down more than 7% from its highest ever set last month on concerns that the US economy will slow down growth. Recent research on thoughts shows that uncertainty about President Donald Trump’s tariffs makes moods sour for American businesses and households, but economists weren’t sure if it was being converted into a real pain in the economy and job markets.
Although Friday’s employment report was approaching expectations, economists warned that it was included in details beneath the surface that could hint at more trouble in the months ahead. For example, the number of part-time workers who want to be full-time between January and February has risen since, for example, January.
“The market may sigh from the relief that the labor market still looks healthy, but deeper dives indicate that spring could be a more challenging season.”
Whiplash behavior from the White House regarding tariffs – first placing them in trading partners, then exempt some and then redoing them – has increased corporate uncertainty. It caused fear that they might simply freeze accordingly, pulling jobs back. Meanwhile, US households have far higher inflation due to tariffs, which can weaken their confidence and reduce their spending. It will take more energy from the economy.
The employment reports submitted fell in the bond market, with 2010 Treasury yields falling from 4.28% in the second half of Thursday to 4.23%. It has been sinking since January, when January was approaching 4.80% as investors are slacking off expectations for US economic growth.
In the two years, the Treasury bond yields continued to decline. This underscores expectations among traders that the Federal Reserve will cut its key interest rates at least two or three times this year in support of a slower economy.
On Wall Street, Hewlett Packard Enterprises thwarted 16.2% after reporting profits for the most recent quarter that didn’t meet analyst expectations. CEO Antonio Neri admitted that “it could have done better in some regions of the quarter,” and the company had forecast its current quarter revenue forecast.
Costco sank 7.2% after retailers reported profits in recent quarter were weaker than expected.
They helped offset the Walgreens Boots Alliance after agreeing to the Pharmacy and Drug Store chain being acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners. The acquisition will make the struggling chain private for the first time since 1927, giving you more flexibility to make changes to improve your business without worrying about Wall Street’s reaction.
Broadcom rose 3.7% more than analysts expected after delivering stronger profits and revenues in the recent quarter. The chip company also gave forecasts of future revenues that have surpassed analyst expectations thanks to strong demand for providing artificial intelligence.
After a high tumultuous Wall Street frenzy around AI, stocks hit the wall this year as this year’s recession was hit hardest in the region of the market, where it previously seemed the most unstoppable. Broadcom shares have fallen more than 20% so far before Friday, after more than doubled in 2024.
In the overseas stock market, German stocks fell 1.8%, returning some of the major profits from the beginning of the week after an earthquake shift in debt policies. Traditionally, the German government seems willing to allow more borrowing.
China was slower than the slower trades forecasts in January and February, with export imports falling by 0.6% in Hong Kong and 0.3% in Shanghai, the government said. China’s trade data for the first two months of the year is usually combined to compensate for distortions from the Chinese New Year holidays.
South Korean Kospi fell 0.5% after the court ordered the release of President Yoon Soo-Yeol, president of the bluffing each, from prison.
AP business writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
Original issue: March 7, 2025, 12:17pm EST
