Tariff uncertainty affects market stability next week

Market experts believe that stock market rallies will struggle next week. Investors are waiting for clarity on tariffs, which is expected on April 2. This uncertainty is keeping the market volatile. Stocks saw a slight increase this week due to lower interest rate signals from the Federal Reserve and strong economic reports. However, concerns loom over how President Trump's tariffs could affect the economy. Ben Snider from Goldman Sachs mentioned that the uncertainty could prevent major market growth for now. Investors are really focused on Trump's tariff policies. There's a mix of strategies happening, with some buying safer assets like Treasurys and gold. Charles Ashley, a portfolio manager, said tariff news will significantly influence market trends in the upcoming days. The overall economic health will also be watched closely next week. Key reports, such as personal consumption expenditures and consumer confidence surveys, are set to be released. These figures will help assess the impact of tariffs on consumers. The Federal Reserve recently updated its growth outlook and raised its inflation forecast. They noted that while tariff effects might be temporary, any slowdown in consumer spending could strongly affect the economy and stock market. Next week’s economic calendar is packed with important reports. Highlights include consumer confidence data, home sales figures, and inflation measures. Each of these could shift market expectations and investor sentiment significantly.