Wall Street: Dow Jones sank 3.1% in April, given the effect of tariffs on the US economy

In the middle of a Growing stock volatility, Wall Street He ended with disparate numbers on Wednesday, April 30, since a series of economic data pointed to a deceleration of the US economy. In the month the main referentials lost up to 3.1%.

April was a turbulent month in the New York Stock Exchange, with the main rates gradually reducing losses. The announcement of American tariffs in the first days induced strong salesleading to the reference index S&P 500 briefly to a bearish zone.

This Wednesday Dow Jones index of industrialists rose 0.35% to 40,669.36 points; The S&P500 lost 0.01% to 5,560.16 points and the Nasdaq Composite depreciated 0.09% to 17,446.34 points. While In the accumulated of April, the Dow Jones fell -3.1%, the S&P500 -1%and the Nasdaq Composite -0.02%.

The relaxation of commercial tensions lasted little

Trust had improved in the hope that the worst announcement of tariffs would have already been left behind, promoted by the signing of two orders by the US president, Donald Trump, before the closing of the market on Tuesday to mitigate the impact of tariffs on cars, offering fiscal credits and tariff exemptions on materials.

The decision was produced during Trump’s visit to Michigan, an important car manufacturing center, just before the entry of 25% tariffs on the auto parts.

In another positive note, US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, told the CNBC that the country was close to announcing an important commercial agreement, but did not reach.

The American economy on the tightrope

The strong losses in early April were due to the fear that commercial tariffs affect the growth of the world’s largest economy and was evidently so.

The US economy contracted unexpectedly in the first quarteraccording to data published on Wednesday, in 0.3% per year. In the fourth quarter of 2024 he had grown by 2.4 %. Economists predicted a slight expansion of 0.2 %.

Besides, American private employers created much less jobs than expected in Aprilsince private payrolls increased by 62,000 this month, compared to 147,000 positions reviewed on March, according to the National Employment Report of ADP published on Wednesday.

Follow the entry of quarterly results

This week, results will continue to the enclosure and investors will probably have their attention focused on the figures of the Microsoft software (-0.7%) and Goal Platforms (-2.5%) Facebook owner, who will appear, after the closing of Wednesday.

In addition, they will show their results this week the iPhone manufacturer, Apple (0.3%) and electronic commerce giant, Amazon (-2.5%), after the closing of the session.

These mega -business have promoted the rise in markets in recent years, but so far from 2025 they have had a lower yield.

The actions spinning in his labyrinth

In other sectors, the actions of Starbucks 6.5% fell dramatically since global comparable sales of the coffee shops decreased due to fifth consecutive trimester, while their restructuring strategy did not bear fruit.

The industrial giant Caterpillar It fell 0.4% when they reported lower profits in the first quarter, affected by lower demand due to economic uncertainty.

The actions of Norwegian Cruise Line They fell 8% when the cruise operator reported disappointing profits in the first quarter and reduced its prognosis of tight income for the whole year, claiming a lower demand.

Super Micro Computer It collapsed 13.4% since the manufacturer of IA servers reduced its income and profits expectations for the third quarter due to delays in customer spending, which amplified concern about a reduction in investments related to AI.

Snap It declined 13.5% since the Snapchat parent company reported better income than expected in the first quarter, but refused to provide forecasts, citing macroeconomic uncertainties that could affect advertising demand.