US stocks ended the day mixed on Tuesday as mounting economic uncertainties weighed heavily on investor sentiment. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq touched one-month lows, while the Dow rose modestly.
A dour consumer confidence report posted its biggest drop in 3-1/2 years, with Americans growing anxious about the potential negative economic impact of President Trump’s administration policies. The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell by 11.3% to a level associated with impending recession.
The report’s release coincided with a surge in the CBOE market volatility index, known as the “fear index,” to its highest level since January 27. Bitcoin also plummeted 6.1%.
Despite the negative sentiment, some stocks rose on positive news. Eli Lilly’s weight-loss drug Zepbound saw sales increase after the company began selling higher doses in vials at a discount to injector-pen versions.
Meanwhile, US officials aim to restrict Beijing’s technological capabilities by limiting Nvidia chip exports to China without a license. This move has weighed on Nvidia shares ahead of the company’s quarterly earnings report.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 159.95 points, or 0.37%, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 260.54 points, or 1.35%.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/futures-dip-markets-weigh-trade-risks-nvidia-down-before-results-2025-02-25