Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. stocks ended lower on Tuesday as concerns over the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran-backed militants in Lebanon, raised market uncertainties. Reports of rising tensions in the Middle East prompted investor caution, impacting several sectors.
Energy and Defense Stocks Gain
Energy stocks rose alongside oil prices, which settled 2.4% higher. Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) gained 2.3%, boosted by the rise in oil prices. Defense companies also saw gains, with Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) climbing 3% and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) increasing 3.6%. The S&P 500 aerospace and defense index reached a record high, and utilities stocks were up by 0.8%.
Airline Stocks and Market Volatility
In contrast, airline stocks dropped, reflecting the risk-averse market mood. Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) fell 1.6%. While major indexes managed to recover some ground before closing, investors remained cautious amid global uncertainties.
“If we do see further escalation, I could see continued market weakness because we just don't know how far this is going to go," said Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Index Performance
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: Fell 173.18 points, or 0.41%.
- S&P 500: Lost 53.73 points, or 0.93%.
- Nasdaq Composite: Dropped 278.81 points, or 1.53%.
Economic Indicators and Upcoming Reports
The CBOE Volatility Index, Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” saw an uptick. Economic data released Tuesday showed U.S. job openings rebounded in August, while the Institute for Supply Management reported that manufacturing activity stood at 47.2 in September, slightly below expectations of 47.5.
Investors are closely watching upcoming economic reports, including U.S. jobless claims on Thursday and monthly payroll data on Friday. According to CME Group’s (NASDAQ: CME) FedWatch Tool, there are varying views on the potential for a Federal Reserve rate cut in the coming months.
Market Volume and Breadth
Trading volume on U.S. exchanges was higher than average, reaching 13.16 billion shares compared to the 11.98 billion average over the last 20 trading days. On the NYSE, declining issues outnumbered advancing ones by a 1.32-to-1 ratio, and on the Nasdaq, the ratio was 2.36-to-1 in favor of decliners. The S&P 500 recorded 51 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite saw 75 new highs and 137 new lows.
