Market Pivots Amid Trade Tensions and Rising Volatility

The stock market experienced another tumultuous session on Wednesday, as the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all shifted into positive territory amidst an initial decline. This fluctuation coincides with the implementation of President Trump’s tariffs, which have now come into effect. Meanwhile, the VIX, the Chicago Board Options Exchange’s measure of market volatility and often referred to as the “fear gauge,” has reached its highest levels since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The developments were reported by the FOX Business Team, comprising Christina Shaw, Elizabeth Pritchett, Bradford Betz, and Anders Hagstrom. At the start of trading, U.S. stocks presented a mixed outlook. The Nasdaq Composite managed to rise, defying the downward trend seen in the Dow and S&P 500. This shift follows President Trump’s introduction of substantial 104% tariffs against China, to which China has responded with a significant 84% tariff on U.S. goods. The S&P 500 is currently on track for its fifth consecutive day of losses. The VIX’s spike indicates heightened apprehension, reaching levels not seen since April 2020. So far this month, the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq have each experienced declines ranging from 10% to 13%. In contrast, gold prices have surged more than 3% as investors seek safe havens.