{"id":48955,"date":"2025-02-21T19:01:42","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T19:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-recap-stocks-retreat-amid-trade-concerns-and-retail-sector-woes\/48955\/"},"modified":"2025-02-21T19:01:42","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T19:01:42","slug":"market-recap-stocks-retreat-amid-trade-concerns-and-retail-sector-woes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-recap-stocks-retreat-amid-trade-concerns-and-retail-sector-woes\/48955\/","title":{"rendered":"Market Recap: Stocks Retreat Amid Trade Concerns and Retail Sector Woes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-recap-stocks-retreat-amid-trade-concerns-and-retail-sector-woes\/48955\/#Major_Indexes_Close_Lower_as_Trade_Tensions_and_Retail_Sector_Weigh_on_Markets\" >Major Indexes Close Lower as Trade Tensions and Retail Sector Weigh on Markets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-recap-stocks-retreat-amid-trade-concerns-and-retail-sector-woes\/48955\/#Market_Performance\" >Market Performance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-recap-stocks-retreat-amid-trade-concerns-and-retail-sector-woes\/48955\/#Key_Factors_Influencing_the_Market\" >Key Factors Influencing the Market<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-recap-stocks-retreat-amid-trade-concerns-and-retail-sector-woes\/48955\/#Notable_Stock_Movements\" >Notable Stock Movements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-recap-stocks-retreat-amid-trade-concerns-and-retail-sector-woes\/48955\/#Economic_Data_and_Federal_Reserve_Outlook\" >Economic Data and Federal Reserve Outlook<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-recap-stocks-retreat-amid-trade-concerns-and-retail-sector-woes\/48955\/#Looking_Ahead_Upcoming_Market_Events\" >Looking Ahead: Upcoming Market Events<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-recap-stocks-retreat-amid-trade-concerns-and-retail-sector-woes\/48955\/#Market_Sentiment\" >Market Sentiment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Indexes_Close_Lower_as_Trade_Tensions_and_Retail_Sector_Weigh_on_Markets\"><\/span>Major Indexes Close Lower as Trade Tensions and Retail Sector Weigh on Markets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>On Friday, February 21, 2025, U.S. stocks ended the week on a downbeat note, with major indexes retreating from recent highs. The market&#8217;s performance was influenced by ongoing trade concerns and disappointing guidance from retail giant Walmart. Here&#8217;s a comprehensive look at the day&#8217;s market movements and key events:<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Performance\"><\/span>Market Performance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The three major U.S. stock indexes closed in negative territory:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/dowjones\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Dow Jones Today\">Dow Jones<\/a> Industrial Average (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=DJI\">DJI<\/a>) fell 386.68 points, or 0.88%, to close at 43,789.97.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__3\"><\/cscitation><br \/>&#8211; The <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/sp500\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"snp500 today\">S&#038;P 500<\/a> declined 36.16 points, or 0.59%, finishing at 6,081.36.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__3\"><\/cscitation><br \/>&#8211; The Nasdaq Composite shed 123.30 points, or 0.62%, ending at 19,839.06.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__3\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Factors_Influencing_the_Market\"><\/span>Key Factors Influencing the Market<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Trade Tensions:<\/b> President Donald Trump&#8217;s recent tariff announcements continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and announced plans for 25% tariffs on pharmaceuticals, autos, and semiconductors. These moves have raised concerns about a potential global trade war, as impacted countries may impose retaliatory tariffs.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p><b>Retail Sector Woes:<\/b> Walmart (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=WMT\">WMT<\/a>) issued disappointing guidance for the current fiscal year, expecting sales growth between 3% and 4%. This outlook fell short of analysts&#8217; expectations and overshadowed the company&#8217;s better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings. Walmart&#8217;s shares fell 6.5% on Thursday, with the negative sentiment spilling over to Friday&#8217;s trading.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p><b>Sector Performance:<\/b> Eight out of eleven sectors in the S&#038;P 500 ended in negative territory. The Financials Select Sector SPDR (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=XLF\">XLF<\/a>) and Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=XLY\">XLY<\/a>) were among the worst performers, losing 1.5% and 0.9%, respectively.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Notable_Stock_Movements\"><\/span>Notable Stock Movements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&#8211; UnitedHealth Group (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=UNH\">UNH<\/a>) dropped 8.62%, weighing heavily on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__3\"><\/cscitation><br \/>&#8211; Celsius Holdings (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=CELH\">CELH<\/a>) surged 22.76% after announcing its acquisition of health and wellness drinks brand Alani Nutrition in a $1.8 billion deal.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__2\"><\/cscitation><br \/>&#8211; Block (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=XYZ\">XYZ<\/a>) fell 15.37% following fourth-quarter profit results that fell short of estimates.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__2\"><\/cscitation><cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__3\"><\/cscitation><br \/>&#8211; NVIDIA Corporation (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=NVDA\">NVDA<\/a>) remained one of the most actively traded stocks, with a slight decline of 0.38%.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__3\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Economic_Data_and_Federal_Reserve_Outlook\"><\/span>Economic Data and Federal Reserve Outlook<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The latest economic data painted a mixed picture of the U.S. economy:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; S&#038;P Global&#8217;s preliminary February economic activity surveys showed that manufacturing grew at a slower-than-expected pace, while services unexpectedly contracted.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><br \/>&#8211; The Personal Consumption Expenditures (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=PCE\">PCE<\/a>) reading, the Fed&#8217;s preferred gauge for inflation, is anticipated next week and will be closely watched by investors.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Traders currently anticipate at least one 25-basis-point interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve this year, with a 60% chance of an additional cut, according to LSEG data.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Looking_Ahead_Upcoming_Market_Events\"><\/span>Looking Ahead: Upcoming Market Events<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Investors will be focusing on several key events in the coming days:<\/p>\n<p>1. Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson&#8217;s comments, expected later today.<br \/>2. The release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=PCE\">PCE<\/a>) data next week.<br \/>3. Ongoing developments in U.S. trade policy and potential international responses.<br \/>4. Continued earnings reports from major companies across various sectors.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Sentiment\"><\/span>Market Sentiment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The CBOE Volatility Index (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=VIX\">VIX<\/a>), often referred to as the &#8220;fear gauge,&#8221; rose 2.55% to 15.66, indicating increased market uncertainty.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation> Trading volume remained elevated, with 16.36 billion shares traded on Thursday, higher than the last 20-session average of 15.57 billion.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>As the market navigates through trade tensions, mixed economic data, and corporate earnings, investors remain cautious. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the market&#8217;s direction, with particular attention on Federal Reserve policy decisions and the evolution of global trade relationships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Major Indexes Close Lower as Trade Tensions and Retail Sector Weigh on Markets On Friday, February 21, 2025, U.S. stocks 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