Wall St ends lower as weak Walmart guidance prompts consumer demand worries
U.S. stocks sold off on Thursday as ongoing tariff jitters and a downbeat forecast from Walmart dampened investor risk appetite, leading to a broader selloff across the market. The Dow's decline was exacerbated by concerns about the health of the consumer and potential consumer spending going forward, which raised nervousness about the U.S. economy's trajectory. As consumers drive 70% of the U.S. economy, Walmart's weak guidance highlighted the need for investors to reassess their expectations around consumer demand.
- The increasing volatility in global trade tensions may be forcing companies like Walmart to reconsider their growth assumptions, potentially leading to a broader reevaluation of economic projections and consumer spending trends.
- How will policymakers respond to concerns about consumer demand, particularly as it relates to President Trump's growing list of tariff announcements and their potential impact on the U.S. economy?