Weekly Economic Update – 04/21/2025

The Week on Wall Street

U.S. stocks slipped over the shortened trading week as Q1 corporate reports started to roll in.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 1.50 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 2.62 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.66 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 4.19 percent.1,2

U.S. Stocks Slide

Stocks started the four-day week with modest gains. Trade volatility subsided as several money center banks reported Q1 numbers at or above expectations. 3

Stocks trended lower midweek after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell expressed concern that tariffs would likely “move us further away from our goals”—including keeping inflation in check. 4

Stocks were mixed on the week’s last trading day as traders evaluated White House news that trade deals were progressing with Japan, China, and the European Union. The S&P 500 ended the day higher, but the Dow Industrials were under pressure after a large healthcare company gave a disappointing Q1 report. 5

The Fed’s Influence

Stocks were under pressure following comments from Fed Chair Powell, who expressed concern about the ability of the Fed to balance its inflation and employment goals given the current trade situation. He said, “Tariffs are highly likely to generate at least a temporary rise in inflation,” and “the inflationary effects could be more persistent.” 6

These are Powell’s latest remarks about tariffs. The Fed Chair made similar comments earlier this month at an event in Alexandria, Virginia. 7

Weekly Riddle

What 10-letter word (in English) can you type using only the topmost row of letters on a computer keyboard (the Q-P row)? Hint: the first two letters of the word are next to each other in the Q-P row.

Last week’s riddle: I have a horn and am almost as large as a car, but I will never honk my horn or outrun a car or truck. What might I be?

Answer: A rhinoceros

John Dombroski Jr. may be reached at (480) 991-1055 or [email protected]
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