U.S. stocks rallied on Monday, March 24, as signs of more measured U.S. tariff policies lifted investor sentiment.
The S&P 500 surged 1.8%, reaching a two-week high, though it remains down 1.7% year-to-date. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.4%, turning positive for the year with a 0.5% year-to-date gain. The Nasdaq composite rose 2.3%, trimming its year-to-date loss to 5.7%.
On Tuesday, stocks rose as hopes for less aggressive tariffs supported investor confidence.
The S&P 500 edged up 0.2%, while the Dow remained flat. The Nasdaq gained 0.5%, continuing its recent gains.
The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield dipped slightly by 2.1 basis points to 4.3% after previously climbing to its highest level since February. The spread between the U.S. 30-year and 5-year yields widened to 60 basis points, marking the largest gap since September 2024.
Stocks fell on Wednesday as the government confirmed a new 25% tariff on auto imports, fueling investor concerns over trade tensions. In reaction, the S&P 500, the Dow and the Nasdaq declined 1.1%, 0.3% and 2%, respectively. The 10-year Treasury yield rose by 3.7 basis points to 4.4%, signaling cautious sentiment in the bond market.
On Thursday, U.S. stocks extended their losses as investors continued to digest the implications of new U.S. auto tariffs. The S&P 500 fell 0.3%, while the Dow slipped 0.4%. The Nasdaq dropped 0.5%, pressured by weakness in technology shares. In global markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid to a two-week low, reflecting growing concerns over the trade landscape.
U.S. bond yields continued to rise, with the 10-year Treasury yield up 0.7 basis points to 4.4%. Stocks ended the week in the red as new inflation data further eroded economic sentiment. The S&P 500, the Dow and the Nasdaq fell 2%, 1.7% and 2.7%, respectively.
The S&P 500 posted its fifth losing week in the past six, reflecting persistent market uncertainty. U.S. Treasuries are set to gain 2% in the first quarter, supported by safe-haven demand. The 10-year Treasury yield dropped 10.8 basis points to 4.3%, dipping below the 4.3% threshold.
Overall, the week reflected heightened market volatility as investor sentiment shifted in response to predictions based upon evolving trade policies and economic data.
