Stock Market Sell Off Deepens Amid Economic Concerns

The ongoing turmoil in global equity markets has intensified, with significant losses recorded across major indices. The sell-off deepened as concerns regarding a potential recession are amplified by the rising tension over trade tariffs.

The S&P 500 opened sharply lower, reflecting a drop of 4.65 per cent after enduring a staggering 6 per cent decline at the previous week’s close. The Nasdaq Composite, heavily weighted toward technology stocks, fell by 3.66 per cent, marking its entry into bear market territory.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average also experienced a substantial decrease of 3.57 per cent. Market participants are increasingly speculating that the Federal Reserve may be compelled to cut interest rates, with predictions suggesting a reduction of up to 116 basis points this year, potentially starting as early as June.

In London, the FTSE 100 index suffered a decline of 5.5 per cent at one point during trading, ultimately settling down by 3.9 per cent. This follows a cascade of losses across European markets, with Germany and France witnessing plummeting values of almost 5 per cent. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index plunged by 7.8 per cent, emphasising the broad impact of the current climate.

President Trump responded to the situation aboard Air Force One, indicating a nonchalant stance toward the market turmoil. He remarked that “sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something,” while maintaining pressure on international trade relationships.

With market instability driven largely by uncertainty surrounding tariffs, analysts forecast that the volatility may persist. The future trajectory of the stock market remains unclear as traders await further developments on trade negotiations.