Markets End Lower as Trade Tensions Resurface

Major U.S. indexes closed in the red on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 279 points to 44,371.51 (-0.63%). The S&P 500 dipped 20.71 points (-0.33%) to 6,259.75, and the Nasdaq shed 45.14 points (-0.22%) to finish at 20,585.53.

The Russell 2000 underperformed, sliding 1.26% to 2,234.83.

Meanwhile, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), often called Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” jumped 3.93% to 16.40, reflecting rising investor uncertainty.

The decline followed renewed trade war concerns after commentary tied to former President Trump stirred fears of heightened tariffs, weighing on sentiment across sectors.

Investors appeared to lock in weekly losses amid caution heading into upcoming earnings and macro headlines.