3/17/2025

Mar 17

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) gained about 0.6%

The gauges continued a climb after a sell-off that saw the S&P 500 enter correction territory and the Dow book its worst weekly performance since March 2023

The S&P 500 is coming off two straight years with gains of more than 20%. Such stellar gains left the market looking too expensive to critics, who pointed to how prices rose faster than corporate profits.
Markets have been influenced by economic fears, and large uncertainties in Trump’s policies
Trump tariffs have reduced international confidence and trust in the US Markets

The STOXX Europe 600 index, which tracks hundreds of companies across 17 European countries, is up 7.7% so far this year

Monthly retail sales were up 0.2%, versus estimates of a 0.6% rise, while the previous month's 0.9% drop was revised to a fall of 1.2%
Wall Street is also bracing for the Federal Reserve's two-day meeting starting Tuesday, where it is widely expected to stand on current rates
Late car payments hit highest level in decades

6.6 percent of subprime auto borrowers were over 60 days past due in Jan.
It's the highest level since Fitch Ratings began tracking data in 1994
President Trump's tariffs are likely to drive up car prices even further (Manufacturing in North America involves parts crossing multiple borders due to NAFTA agreements)
Mexico and Canada are the top U.S. trading partners for both motor vehicles and parts, meaning Trump’s 25 percent tariffs could hurt consumers and automakers alike