U.S. stocks closed lower Thursday as investors reacted to President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of new auto tariffs, which sent shares of major automakers and parts suppliers tumbling. The S&P 500 slipped 0.33% to 5,693.31, while the Nasdaq lost 0.53% and the Dow Jones fell 0.37%.
Trump’s plan includes a 25% tariff on imported cars and light trucks starting April 3, with auto parts tariffs following on May 3. The move triggered a sharp sell-off in automakers, with General Motors (NYSE:GM) plunging over 7% and Ford (NYSE:F) dropping 3.9%. Car parts suppliers Aptiv (NYSE:APTV) and BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA) fell around 5% each.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) gained 0.4% as its domestic production may shield it from the worst of the tariff impact. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) rose 1.05%, helping to offset broader losses.
Uncertainty around Trump’s shifting trade policies continues to weigh on investor sentiment. “People are cautious not just because of the policies but because of the constant flip-flopping,” said portfolio manager Jed Ellerbroek of Argent Capital.
Eight of the 11 S&P 500 sectors closed in the red, led by energy and communication services. Despite a dip in weekly jobless claims and a Q4 GDP revision up to 2.4%, markets remained under pressure.
Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR) jumped 11% after announcing the sale of its Family Dollar unit for $1 billion, earning bullish analyst upgrades.
Investors are now turning to Friday’s release of the February PCE price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, for further clues on monetary policy. So far in 2025, the S&P 500 is down 3%, while the Nasdaq has slid nearly 8%, both poised to end Q1 in the red.


Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 



