Equity Markets Close Mixed Amid Weak Manufacturing, Job Data

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Yesterday

US benchmark equity indexes closed mixed on Tuesday as investors parsed fresh data on manufacturing and job openings.

The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.9% to 17,449.9, while the S&P 500 increased 0.4% to 5,633.1. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.03% to 41,990. The consumer discretionary sector posted the highest gains, while health care and financials were the only decliner.

US Treasury yields were lower, with the 10-year rate losing about 8 basis points to 4.16% and the two-year rate was down 3.7 basis points to 3.88%.

May West Texas Intermediate crude oil decreased 0.4% to $71.21 a barrel on Tuesday.

In economic news, the Trump administration aides drafted a proposal to impose roughly 20% tariffs on most imports to the US, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

Separately, CNBC reported, citing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, that the planned reciprocal tariffs will be effective immediately as they are announced Wednesday.

The US manufacturing sector fell into contraction territory in March amid weak demand, according to the Institute for Supply Management, while S&P Global (SPGI) data showed activity stalling.

"Demand and production retreated and destaffing continued, as panelists' companies responded to demand confusion," said Timothy Fiore, chair of the ISM's manufacturing business survey committee. "Prices growth accelerated due to tariffs, causing new order placement backlogs, supplier delivery slowdowns and manufacturing inventory growth."

US job openings fell more than projected in February, while layoffs rose, government data showed Tuesday.

In company news, Tesla (TSLA) shares were up 3.6%, the top gainer on the S&P 500. Sales of new units in Spain increased 34% year over year to 1,983 vehicles in March, Reuters reported, citing data from a Spanish industry group.

GE Vernova (GEV) rose 3.4%. The company said Monday it fund $50 million over five years to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for research and other initiatives.

WNS (WNS) shares jumped nearly 8.3%. The technology outsourcing services firm is exploring a sale after receiving takeover interest from Capgemini, among other potential suitors, Reuters reported.

Shares of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) were down 7.6%, the worst performer on the S&P 500. The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas denied a request by the company unit Red River Talc to confirm its proposed prepackaged bankruptcy plan.

Gold gained 0.04% to $3,149.1 per troy ounce, while silver was down 0.8% to $34.33 per troy ounce.

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