Markets & Headlines - 3/14/25

Markets

Communication services, Consumer Discretionary, IT slide around 2% or more, officially bringing index into correction territory. $Gold makes advancement above $3,000/ounce amid higher volatility and a drop in equity. On the tariff front, Trump and EU exchange more blows, this time, on alcohol. $INTC rises 15% upon change in leadership. Trump gets sued for laying-off half the work force in the Department of Education. Despite his cost cutting, Trump needs congress on his side to avoid shutdown, which will likely happen.

Headlines

• Putin wants direct White House talks before Ukraine ceasefire, but says he is open to deal in principle

• Trump threatens to put 200% tariff on French Champagne and other EU spirits

• US wine shops and importers say Trump’s threatened 200% tariff on European wines would kill demand

A response to the reinstatement of tariff on American Whiskey.

• Almonds, whiskey, auto parts: EU’s retaliatory tariffs set up these U.S. states and local products as the biggest losers

• Trump sued by 20 states to halt the ‘dismantling’ of Education Department

• Stock market today: S&P 500 enters correction, Dow sinks 500 points amid Trump’s latest tariff threats

• A 10% drop for stocks is scary, but isn’t that rare

Among the 48 corrections since WWI, only 12 have leaded to a bear market, a decline in stock price of over 20%.

• Sen. Ted Cruz on government shutdown: It will be averted

“I think it’s probably not going to happen. I think we’re gonna see the Democrats cave”

• Apple Plans AirPods Feature That Can Live-Translate Conversations

The feature may come later this year packaged with iOS 19

• Undocumented Subprime Borrowers Pose Risk to Wall Street

“now, they(big banks) make it clear that their preference is for borrowers to be citizens.” They haven’t cared much until now.

• Ulta Beauty tops quarterly results on strong holiday demand for cosmetics, perfumes

Cosmetics spending during Thanksgiving.

• Exclusive-Major US toymaker speeds up plan to move manufacturing out of China

MGA Entertainment supply to Walmart, dolls and toys made in China. It is now seeking to relocate 40% of production to India and Vietnam.

• Dollar General, Dollar Tree stocks rise as penny-pinching consumers look for low-cost options

• Why a major shift to US clothing production is unlikely

US does not have the capacity, labor nor the raw materials

• Tesla warns it could face retaliatory tariffs