why are the stocks down today

The stocks are down today primarily due to renewed trade tensions between the U.S. and China. President Donald Trump threatened a “massive increase” in tariffs on Chinese imports, escalating fears of a trade war that could slow global trade, increase costs for companies, and weigh on corporate profits. This announcement caused a sharp sell-off, leading to the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by about 600 points (1.3%), the S&P 500 dropping 1.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite falling 2.6%, with technology stocks hit particularly hard. Additionally, weak corporate earnings that fell short of high expectations, rising bond yields making safer fixed-income investments more attractive, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties contributed to the market decline. The combination of tariff concerns, earnings disappointments, and rising yields created a cautious and volatile environment for investors today.