Global markets ended the week deep in the red after a brutal sell-off that erased an estimated $1.65 trillion from the U.S. stock market’s total value on Friday.
The rout was led by steep declines in the technology and consumer sectors, with major companies like Tesla, Amazon, Nvidia, and Apple taking heavy losses.
Investors reacted sharply to renewed fears of escalating trade tensions after the White House hinted at imposing severe tariffs on Chinese imports. The move triggered a wave of risk-off sentiment across global markets, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones Industrial Average all closing sharply lower.
Tesla plunged over 5%, while Amazon lost nearly 4.5%. Nvidia dropped almost 4%, and Apple slid close to 3%. The combined decline of these market giants contributed significantly to the day’s historic value loss. Even traditionally defensive stocks such as Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble couldn’t escape the red wave.
Financials and energy stocks also felt the pain, with JPMorgan Chase, ExxonMobil, and Chevron recording notable declines. Semiconductor companies faced one of the harshest blows, as AMD tumbled more than 7%, extending its recent losing streak.
Despite the widespread downturn, a handful of stocks managed to stay in positive territory. Walmart edged up slightly, while a few healthcare names, including Eli Lilly, showed modest gains. Still, these were small exceptions in what analysts described as one of the most severe single-day declines of the year.
Market analysts warn that volatility could remain elevated in the coming weeks, especially as investors weigh geopolitical risks, inflation data, and the Federal Reserve’s next moves. Meanwhile, global traders are closely monitoring how Beijing will respond to Washington’s new tariff threats, which could further unsettle markets.
Friday’s sell-off serves as a stark reminder of how sensitive global markets remain to political developments and policy uncertainty. The tech-heavy Nasdaq bore the brunt of the downturn, reaffirming how dependent today’s market performance is on a few mega-cap companies.
