US markets end mostly in green amid uncertainty surrounding Trump's trade policies

02 Apr 2025 Evaluate

The US markets swung back and forth across the neutral line and ended mostly in green on Tuesday. The market participant remained cautious amid the uncertainty surrounding US President Donald Trump's trade policies ahead of the announcement of reciprocal tariffs on April 2. A report from the Washington Post has indicated that the White House aides have drafted a proposal to impose tariffs of around 20 percent on most imports to the U.S, however, Washington Post noted White House advisers cautioned that several options are on the table and no final decision has been made which kept the investors on edge. Besides, a report from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) showed activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector contracted in March after two consecutive months of expansion. The ISM data showed manufacturing PMI dipped to 49.0 in March from 50.3 in February, with a reading below 50 indicating contraction, while the street had expected the index to edge down to 49.5. 

On sectoral front, biotechnology stocks pulled back sharply after surging on Monday, resulting in a 3.2 percent plunge by the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index. Pharmaceutical stocks also showed a significant move to the downside, dragging the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index down by 2.8 percent. Healthcare and airline stock also saw considerable weakness on the day, while software stocks turned in a strong performance, contributing to the advance by the Nasdaq.

Nasdaq jumped 150.6 points or 0.87 percent to 17,449.89 and S&P 500 climbed 21.22 points or 0.38 percent to 5,633.07, while Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped by 11.8 points or 0.03 percent to 41,989.96.


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