Wall Street Indexes Approach Record Highs Despite Looming Tariff Uncertainties and Persistent Inflationary Pressures

Barry Adams
25 Jun, 2025
New York City

Wall Street indexes lacked direction after racking up gains in the previous session. 

The S&P 500 index edged down 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite inched higher 0.2%, and crude oil prices rebounded after falling more than 10% in the previous two sessions. 

Benchmark indexes are approaching record highs as investors overlook multiple headwinds ahead of the start of earnings season in two weeks and optimism about a possible rate cut. 

The S&P 500 index has rebounded more than 20% from the low of 4,982.0 on April 8, despite the ongoing uncertainty linked to Trump tariffs, lack of progress on the budget bill in the Senate, possible rebound in consumer price inflation, and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Central Europe. 

Moreover, a sharp slowdown in retail sales is confirming consumer fatigue, and higher prices for automobiles and food and the sustained inflation in shelter costs are weakening consumer confidence. 

Since the start of Trump's global tariff war, small businesses in logistics, retailing, entertainment, restaurants, and business services are facing tough times amid a lack of demand and a freezing of new investments.

 

U.S. Stock Movers 

FedEx Corporation decreased 4.4% to $218.20 after the parcel delivery company's current quarter outlook fell short of analysts' expectations. 

The logistics company guided first-quarter revenue to be between flat and up 2%, compared to $21.6 billion, and diluted earnings per share to be between $2.90 and $3.50, compared to $3.60 a year earlier, respectively.

FedEx's revenue and earnings surpassed market expectations in the fiscal fourth quarter ending in May. 

AeroVironment, Inc. rose 2.2% to $197.65, and the defense technology company reported better-than-expected results in the fiscal fourth quarter ending in April. 

The company estimated earnings per share in the current fiscal year to range between $2.80 and $3.0, compared to $3.28 a year ago. 

Worthington Enterprises soared 11.4% to $67.0 after the industrial products, such as pressure vessels, reported better-than-expected revenue and adjusted earnings in the fiscal fourth quarter ending in May.

Carnival Corp. jumped 0.4% to 25.79 after the cruise operator reported an increase in revenue and earnings in the fiscal second quarter ending in May and raised its full-year outlook. 

Chief Executive Josh Weinstein said strong last-minute bookings, close to departure, supported the rise in revenue in the quarter.