The Pulse: Global Economic and Market News for Friday, April 18, 2025

Global Markets Pause for Good Friday as Tariff Uncertainty and Growth Concerns Linger

On Friday, April 18, 2025, a significant event unfolded in the global financial markets. The closure of major exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, for Good Friday, a long-standing tradition in U.S. markets, provided a rare pause in a turbulent period marked by ongoing tariff uncertainty and concerns about global economic growth. This pause, a testament to the influence of cultural traditions on financial markets, comes as investors digest a week of choppy trading, persistent trade policy anxieties, and new warnings from economists and international organizations.

U.S. Markets Closed for Good Friday

Both the NYSE and Nasdaq suspended all trading on April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday, a Christian holiday recognized by U.S. financial markets but not a federal holiday1245678. U.S. bond markets also closed early. This break gave Wall Street a breather after a volatile week, with the S&P 500 ending Thursday up 0.13%, the Nasdaq down 0.13%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 1.33%1. Markets will resume regular trading hours on Monday, April 21247.

Tariff Uncertainty and Economic Outlook

The pause comes as the U.S. economy faces heightened uncertainty from President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies. A Reuters poll of economists this week found the probability of a U.S. recession in the next 12 months has jumped to 45%, up sharply from 25% a month ago3. The 90-day halt on new reciprocal tariffs, a temporary ceasefire in the U.S.-China trade war, has done little to improve the outlook, with business confidence and consumer sentiment deteriorating as trade tensions persist310121415.

Economists report that tariffs have already negatively affected business investment and consumer spending, with growth forecasts for 2025 cut from 2.2% last month to just 1.4% now and inflation expectations rising39101415161718. The World Trade Organization warned this week that global trade volume could contract by as much as 1.5% in 2025 if reciprocal tariffs are reimposed after the current pause, with export-driven economies at particular risk1415.

Global Markets and Sector Impacts

The Good Friday holiday also closed major exchanges in Europe, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong, amplifying the global pause in trading678. Thin trading volumes in open markets have heightened sensitivity to any developments in U.S.-China trade talks and Federal Reserve commentary11. Safe-haven assets, including gold, remain in demand as investors weigh the risk of stagflation and a weaker U.S. dollar 91112.

Looking Ahead

As the markets prepare to reopen on Monday, investors are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future economic landscape. Their close watch on U.S. trade negotiations, corporate earnings, and key economic data updates will be instrumental in determining market trends. This week, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings in Washington have highlighted the risks of U.S. isolationism and the crucial need for global cooperation to restore economic stability. Investors, as key players in the financial world, are at the forefront of this global economic narrative.

Disclosure

This article contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations as of April 18, 2025. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth herein. The economic and market analyses presented are based on various assumptions and may not prove accurate. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. The article references third-party information from various news sources; while efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, the reliability of these sources cannot be guaranteed.

Market data mentioned is as of April 18, 2025, and is subject to change. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with qualified financial professionals before making investment decisions.

Sources

• Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/markets/global-markets-wrapup-1pix-2025-04-11/
• CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/13/stock-market-today-live-updates.html
• American Chemistry Council: https://www.americanchemistry.com/chemistry-in-america/news-trends/press-release/2025/u-s-economic-forecast-2025
• S&P Global: https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/research-analysis/week-ahead-economic-preview-week-of-14-april-2025.html
• Trading Economics: https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/calendar
• INDmoney: https://www.indmoney.com/us-stocks/news/us-stock-market-news-today-18-april-2025
• Economic Times: https://economictimes.com/markets/stocks/news/us-stock-market-news-today-april-18-2025-dow-jones-nasdaq-sensex-live-updates/articleshow/109349876.cms

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