US stock markets are closed today, Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday. The closure gives Wall Street a much-needed breather after a volatile week dominated by disappointing earnings, ongoing tariff concerns, and warnings from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell about potential economic headwinds. Before the holiday, major indexes ended Thursday’s session mixed. The S&P 500<\/a> edged up 0.13% to close at 5,282.70, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.13% to 16,286.45. The Dow Jones<\/a> Industrial Average suffered the most significant decline, falling 1.33% to end at 39,142.23. Despite Thursday’s modest performance, all three major indexes finished the holiday-shortened week in negative territory. The S&P 500 fell approximately 1.5%, the Nasdaq dropped 2.6%, and the Dow declined 2.7% for the week. UnitedHealth Plummets on Earnings Miss<\/b><\/p>\n Thursday’s market action was heavily influenced by UnitedHealth Group (UNH<\/a>), which experienced its worst single-day performance in over 25 years. The healthcare giant plunged more than 22% after reporting disappointing first-quarter results and slashing its full-year profit forecast. Nvidia Continues to Struggle Amid Export Restrictions<\/b><\/p>\n Nvidia (NVDA<\/a>) extended its losses on Thursday, falling nearly 3% after Wednesday’s 7% decline. The semiconductor giant disclosed a $5.5 billion quarterly charge related to U.S. export restrictions on its H20 GPUs destined for China and other regions. Bright Spots in a Challenging Market<\/b><\/p>\n Not all stocks suffered losses on Thursday. Hertz Global Holdings (HTZ<\/a>) soared over 44% after investor Bill Ackman disclosed a significant stake in the company. Eli Lilly (LLY<\/a>) jumped more than 14% following strong trial results for its experimental weight-loss medication, positioning it as a potential blockbuster in the growing obesity drug market. When markets reopen on Monday, April 21, investors will shift their focus to several key developments, including the continuation of earnings season and important economic data releases.<\/p>\n Banking Sector Earnings on Deck<\/b><\/p>\n Several financial institutions are scheduled to report their first-quarter results before the market opens on Monday. Comerica Incorporated (CMA<\/a>), Bank of Hawaii Corporation (BOH<\/a>), Dynex Capital (DX<\/a>), HBT Financial (HBT<\/a>), Capital City Bank Group (CCBG<\/a>), Washington Trust Bancorp (WASH<\/a>), and Guaranty Bancshares (GNTY<\/a>) will all release their earnings reports. Economic Data and Fed Policy in Focus<\/b><\/p>\n Investors will also be closely monitoring upcoming economic reports on inflation, consumer sentiment, and manufacturing activity, which could influence expectations around interest rates and Federal Reserve policy. The ongoing implementation of tariffs by the Trump administration remains a significant concern for investors. The World Trade Organization has warned that these tariffs will send international trade into reverse this year and depress global economic growth. While the WTO had previously expected goods trade to expand by 2.7% in 2025, it now forecasts a 0.2% decline.UnitedHealth and Nvidia Lead Market Declines<\/h2>\n
Upcoming Market Events and Earnings<\/h2>\n
Tariff Concerns Continue to Weigh on Markets<\/h2>\n