Stocks Rally on Tariff Relief and Trade Deal Hopes
The S&P 500 closed up 0.6% on Tuesday—the sixth consecutive advance—driven by a steep drop in Treasury yields and fresh signs of tariff flexibility from the White House. The Dow jumped 300 points (+0.8%), while the Nasdaq Composite also rose 0.6%, as investors cheered President Trump’s planned reprieve on his 25% auto tariffs.
“We just wanted to help [automakers] enjoy this little transition, short-term,” Trump said, emphasizing that the relief targets only a “very small percentage” of parts duties. Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted that the U.S. is “close to announcing a major trade deal,” adding to the upbeat mood.
Yield Moves and Earnings Season Heat Up
Treasury yields slipped after data showed moderating U.S. inflation pressures, reinforcing the rally. With earnings season ramping up, traders can track today’s top volume leaders via the Market Most Active API, which highlights which stocks are fueling the broader advance.
Despite the positive backdrop, the White House publicly rebuked Amazon for considering a tariff-cost breakdown on its site. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it “a hostile and political act,” underscoring how trade policy remains a potent market driver.