- Sensex and Nifty closed nearly flat; IT stocks gained, midcaps and smallcaps fell.
- Chinese markets declined as Hang Seng dropped 2.4%, led by tech sell-offs.
- U.S. markets rallied; Tesla surged 11.9%, and Wall Street gained on economic optimism.
Global stock markets remained volatile as investors reacted to uncertainty over U.S. trade policies. While Wall Street surged on hopes of a more measured tariff approach, Asian markets struggled, particularly in China, where tech stocks faced heavy selling pressure.
Meanwhile, concerns over U.S. tariffs on Venezuelan oil and broader geopolitical uncertainties influenced market sentiment. European markets remained resilient, with Germany’s DAX, France’s CAC 40, and the UK’s FTSE 100 posting modest gains.
Stock Market Jitters as Trade Tensions Weigh on Global Sentiment
Investors are keeping a close watch on the evolving U.S. tariff policies, which could impact global trade dynamics. With a potential 25% tariff on Venezuelan oil, energy markets are also bracing for volatility. Brent crude prices inched higher, reflecting supply concerns amid geopolitical uncertainty.
India’s stock market saw mixed reactions, with Zomato and IndusInd Bank tumbling, while UltraTech Cement surged on an upgrade. Despite IT sector strength, overall market participation remained cautious, as investors assessed the impact of potential trade barriers.
The sharp sell-off in Chinese tech stocks underscored concerns over regulatory pressure and external trade risks. Alibaba, Meituan, and Xiaomi faced steep losses, dragging the Hang Seng Index down 2.4%. This weighed on broader Asian markets, which saw mixed performance across key indices.
Wall Street’s gains were led by tech heavyweights like Tesla, Nvidia, and Apple, as investor confidence rebounded. However, inflation concerns remain in focus, with the Federal Reserve monitoring economic data closely before making further policy adjustments.
With global markets caught between optimism and uncertainty, volatility is expected to persist. Investors will be closely watching trade developments and economic indicators to gauge the next market moves.
“Markets hate uncertainty, and the greatest uncertainty is trade policy.” – Bob Doll
