Tariff talks punctuated investment news this third week of President Trump’s furious second term. Canada and Mexico fell in line while China punched back. Monday, stocks fell 2.4% in Asia, 0.8% in Europe, and 0.6% in the U.S. on 17B shares traded. The VIX rose 13% to close at 18.62. Precious metals miners gained about 2%. The S&P 500 and NYSE incices ended below 6000 and 20,000 respectively. Apple closed below 230 while IBM ended above 260.
Tuesday, stocks gained 2.1% in Asia, rose slightly in Europe, and advanced 0.5% in the U.S. on 14B shares traded. The VIX fell 0.8% to close at 17.21.Precious metals gained about 2%. The S&P 500 index ended above 6000. Apple closed above 230.
Wednesday, stocks gained 0.7% in Asia, 0.5% in Europe, and 0.8% in the U.S. on 14B shares traded. The VIX dropped 0.8% to close at 15.77. Precious metals gained about 1% and their miners advanced about three times that amount. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield fell 2% to end at 4.42. The NYSE ended above 20,000.
Thursday, stocks rose 0.4% in Asia and 1.2% in Europe but ended little changed in the U.S. on 14B shares traded. IBM closed below 260.
Friday, stocks gained 0.3% in Asia but fell 0.4% in Europe and 0.6% in the U.S. on 15B shares traded. The VIX rose 0.7% to end at 15.64. Apple ended below 230. Finally, the Federal Reserve balance sheet declined 7B to 6.81T.