Global markets opened Friday on a
sombre note, with investors pulling back ahead of the US Nonfarm Payrolls
(NFP) report expected later today at 14:30 CET. The sharp selloff in
major tech names and concerns over the economic impact of US President
Trump’s newly announced tariffs are driving markets lower across the board.
Tariffs Rattle Wall Street: Big Tech Takes the Hit
Thursday’s trading session closed in
the red across US markets, as investors reacted strongly to Trump’s sweepingtariffs, which many fear could spark fresh trade conflicts and dent global
growth.
- Apple (AAPL) shares plunged 9.25%,
making it one of the worst-performing stocks of the day. Even though Bank
of America reiterated a “Buy” rating, it slashed its price target
from $265 to $250, signalling a more cautious outlook amid
rising costs and possible supply chain disruptions.
- Meta Platforms (META) also
saw a sharp drop of 5.47%, reflecting broad-based tech weakness
and a potential slowdown in digital ad spending tied to global
economic uncertainty.
💱 Forex
Market: Mixed Movements Ahead of Payrolls
Currency markets are reflecting uncertainty
and caution as traders await the crucial US jobs data.
|
Currency
Pair |
Change |
|
EUR/USD |
-0.2% |
|
GBP/USD |
-0.2% |
|
USD/JPY |
+0.2% |
|
AUD/USD |
-1.0% |
- The US dollar is gaining against major peers,
with the exception of the Japanese yen, suggesting risk aversion and
safe-haven demand.
- The Aussie dollar (AUD) dropped
significantly as global trade concerns threaten commodity-dependent
economies like Australia.
📉 Stock
Indexes Fall Globally
|
Index |
Change |
|
Dow Jones
(DJI) |
-0.9% |
|
Nikkei |
-0.2% |
|
Hang Seng
(HK50) |
-1.4% |
|
ASX 200
(AU200) |
-1.2% |
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is down
almost 1%, with traders awaiting employment figures to gauge US
economic strength.
- Asian markets also suffered, with Hong Kong's
Hang Seng taking the biggest hit, possibly reacting to supply chain
concerns and US-China tensions.
🛢️ Commodities
and Gold Weaken on Growth Worries
|
Commodity |
Change |
|
Brent Crude
(#C-BRENT) |
-0.5% |
|
Oil (WTI) |
-0.6% |
|
Gold
(XAU/USD) |
-0.2% |
- Oil prices fell amid concerns that tariffs
could slow global demand, especially if retaliation from key trading
partners leads to decreased industrial activity.
- Even gold, typically a safe-haven, is down
slightly, suggesting investors are holding cash as they await more
data.
🔍 What to
Watch: The Nonfarm Payrolls Wildcard
Today’s Nonfarm Payrolls report
could be a make-or-break moment for the markets. A strong job report
might:
- Ease fears about a slowing economy.
- Support the USD and possibly cushion the stock
market drop.
But a weaker-than-expected print
could:
- Intensify market losses.
- Renew concerns over stagflation or even
recession amid global trade uncertainty.
📌 Investor
Tips Going Into the Weekend:
1. Stay defensive – focus on sectors like healthcare, utilities, or
consumer staples.
2. Watch tech stocks closely – they could remain volatile as news
around tariffs and supply chains evolves.
3. Look for opportunities in gold and bonds if
volatility continues post-NFP.
📢 Bottom
Line:
The global selloff ahead of the NFP report reveals just how fragile investor
sentiment is in today’s economic landscape. With trade wars looming and markets
on edge, staying informed and nimble could be the difference between
loss and profit in the days ahead.
Be smart, stay alert, and trade wisely!