Stocks Enter Correction Zone, Tariff Fears Hammer Consumer Confidence, Inflation Worries Hit 32-Year Highs: This Week In Markets

Wall Street wrapped up its fourth consecutive week in the red, a losing streak not seen since May 2022, and the S&P 500 index officially entered correction territory after sliding 10% from its February highs.

Investor anxiety remains high, fueled by the looming impact of trade tariffs touted by President Donald Trump and deep, abrupt spending cuts spearheaded by the DOGE office under Elon Musk.

February's inflation data brought positive news, reinforcing expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year. The Consumer Price Index rose 2.8% year-over-year, easing from 3% in January and coming in below economist forecasts of 2.9%. Similarly, wholesale inflation remained unchanged on a monthly basis, marking a stark slowdown from January's 0.6% surge.

Yet, even these cooled-than-expected inflation prints failed to reignite risk appetite, as ...