Stocks fell lower on Thursday, giving up gains from earlier in the session, as U.S.-China trade tensions came back into focus and market participants reacted to new concerns over regional bank loans.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average
Moving markets, shares of Zions Bancorporation
"While we are questioning why all of these credit 'one offs' are seemingly occurring in a short period of time, the reality is that even though these exposures may be 'well-contained' and have a 'limited financial impact,' this is an industry where investors -- especially those that are new to this sector -- tend to 'sell first and ask questions later,' especially when it comes to elevated credit concerns," JPMorgan analyst Anthony Elian wrote in a note to clients on Thursday.
Stocks climbed higher on Thursday after another round of strong earnings reports helped outset lingering anxieties over heightened trade tensions between the United States and China.
On the earnings front, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co
"Recent developments in AI market continue to be very positive," CEO C.C. Wei said during the company's earnings call, adding that increased consumer adoption of AI models has driven demand for semiconductors, leading TSMC to boost its 2025 revenue guidance to mid-30% from its previous guidance for about 30%. "Our conviction in the AI mega trend is strengthening," Wei added.
Cloud software giant Salesforce
Chief Operating and Financial Officer Robin Washington said during the company's earnings call that Salesforce "had some lower-stage growth for awhile," but that "is re-accelerating" now.
United Airlines
"Those investments over almost a decade, combined with great service from our people, have allowed United to win and retain brand-loyal customers, leading to economic resilience even with macroeconomic volatility through the first three quarters of the year and significant upside as the economy and demand are improving in the fourth quarter," CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement.
Wall Street is coming off of a mixed session, extending the market's recent bout of volatility as trade tensions, high interest rates, and record valuations are now met with an extended U.S. government shutdown, halting key economic releases as investors look for more data on the health of the labor market and consumer spending in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs.
The S&P Global released an analysis on Thursday that the global cost of Trump's tariffs on businesses could exceed $1.2 trillion this year, with most of that cost being passed onto consumers.
"The sources of this trillion-dollar squeeze are broad. Tariffs and trade barriers act as taxes on supply chains and divert cash to governments; logistics delays and freight costs compound the effect," author Daniel Sandberg wrote in the white paper. "Collectively, these forces represent a systemic transfer of wealth from corporate profits to workers, suppliers, governments, and infrastructure investors."
Looking ahead, market participants will react to earnings reports from companies including American Express
- Wall Street is coming off a mixed session. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended Wednesday's session in the green as investors were encouraged by strong earnings from major banks. The Dow fell slightly.
- Volaitilyt remains
- tensions between the U.S. and China. Trump last week threatened to place an additional 100% tariff on any goods coming from China in response to the country's new export controls on rare earth minerals. The trade tone softened over subsequent days
- but tensions increased again Tuesday
- when Trump thratened China with a cooking oil trade ban.
- Investors are also keeping a watchful eye as the U.S. government shutdown continues for a third week. The stoppage has led to an indefinite shutdown of crucial economic data releases from federal agencies
- givig traders less information at a time when concerns about the labor market
- the effect of tariffs on consumers
- high interest rates and historically elevated market valuations.
