Daijiworld Media Network – New York
New York, Apr 15: Global stock markets witnessed a sharp rebound on Monday, with key indices across the United States, Europe, and Asia surging, thanks to the White House’s latest move to exempt smartphones, computers, and other tech products from fresh US tariffs. However, the dollar remained largely flat as President Donald Trump reiterated that tariffs could still be imposed, keeping investors cautious.
The technology sector emerged as the clear winner, with the Nasdaq Composite soaring over 2%, the S&P 500 rising 1.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 1%. Apple shares surged by nearly 5%, buoyed by the exemption of around 20 product categories — comprising nearly 23% of US imports from China — from the tariff list.
Despite the bounce, analysts pointed out that the continued unpredictability of US trade policy is muddying market sentiment. “The exemption may reduce immediate recession fears, but the uncertainty surrounding back-and-forth policy announcements continues to dampen long-term confidence,” said Morgan Stanley in a note.
On the fixed income side, US government bonds remained largely unchanged, still reeling from the previous week’s losses. The US dollar, too, showed minimal movement, weighed down by investor confusion and skepticism over long-term trade clarity.
The rally was mirrored globally. In Europe, the STOXX 600 index climbed 2.5%, recovering from a 2% fall last week. In Asia, MSCI’s index of Asia-Pacific shares (excluding Japan) gained 1.5%, supported by strong performance in tech firms connected to Apple’s supply chain.
Markets are also gearing up for a fresh round of corporate earnings. On Monday, Goldman Sachs reported a 15% rise in Q1 profits, attributed to stock traders capitalizing on heightened market volatility.
Meanwhile, Indian investors have seen a significant erosion of wealth since April 1. The BSE Sensex has dipped nearly 2% amid ongoing global trade concerns, resulting in a market cap wipeout of approximately Rs 11.3 lac cr. The selling pressure intensified after the Trump administration unveiled its tariff strategy, stoking fears of a full-blown trade war between the US and China.
As volatility continues to dominate, analysts expect markets to trade within a wide range, with technology and global trade policy remaining in focus.