Live US Stock Market Updates: Stocks Fall as Tariff Threats and Shutdown Fears Rise

Stocks tried to bounce back on Wednesday, but the rally didn’t last long. Just like recent market trends, gains were short-lived as uncertainty around tariffs kept investors on edge.

Many experts believe this back-and-forth movement will continue until there’s a clear decision on trade policies. Without clarity on tariffs, the stock market is likely to remain unpredictable, making it tough for investors to feel confident about where things are headed.

Intel’s stock surged in premarket trading after the company announced Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO, bringing fresh leadership to the struggling chipmaker. Tan, a former Intel board member, has been a quiet yet influential figure in the semiconductor industry, and investors are hopeful he can steer the company back on track.

Intel has faced tough competition in recent years, losing its edge in chip manufacturing to TSMC and falling behind Nvidia in the booming AI sector. Tan takes over at a critical time, as the company works to reclaim its position in the semiconductor market.

The new CEO has already emphasized his commitment to making Intel a leading foundry, producing chips for other companies. This signals that Intel will continue operating both its design and manufacturing businesses, despite speculation of a potential split. With TSMC and Broadcom eyeing Intel’s factories, Tan’s leadership will be closely watched as he works to rebuild the company’s dominance.

Dollar General’s stock climbed 4.8% in premarket trading after the retailer reported better-than-expected holiday sales, even as its outlook for the year remained uncertain.

With inflation still affecting shoppers and new tariffs adding pressure, major retailers like Walmart and Target have been cautious about their forecasts. Despite these challenges, Dollar General’s same-store sales grew between 1.2% and 2.2%, surpassing analysts’ expectations of 1.82%, according to LSEG data.

However, the company’s 2025 earnings forecast fell short, with an estimated range of $5.10 to $5.80 per share, missing the expected $5.85. While investors responded positively to the strong sales numbers, concerns remain about how the retailer will handle economic pressures in the months ahead.

Adobe shares tumbled more than 6% in premarket trading after the company’s latest revenue forecast failed to meet investor expectations. The software giant projected $5.77 billion to $5.82 billion in sales for the quarter ending in May, just shy of analysts’ $5.8 billion estimate. Expected earnings per share, excluding certain items, came in at $4.95 to $5, missing the projected $5 per share mark.

Adobe has been aggressively integrating its Firefly AI model into flagship products like Photoshop and Premiere to enhance creativity and automation. However, investors remain uncertain about whether AI will further solidify Adobe’s leadership or intensify competition from emerging AI-driven software companies. The stock’s sharp decline reflects growing concerns over Adobe’s ability to maintain its dominance in an evolving digital landscape.

New data released Thursday showed that wholesale inflation eased in February, providing some relief to investors worried about persistent price pressures. The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures changes in prices businesses pay, rose 3.2% year-over-year, down from 3.5% in January and slightly below economists’ 3.3% forecast. On a monthly basis, prices remained unchanged, following a 0.6% increase in January.

Stripping out food and energy, core PPI rose 3.4% from a year ago, lower than January’s 3.6% gain and below the expected 3.5% increase. In a surprise shift, month-over-month core prices declined 0.1%, contradicting forecasts for a 0.3% rise and marking a reversal from January’s 0.5% increase.

This softer inflation reading could influence the Federal Reserve’s next moves on interest rates, as policymakers assess whether price pressures are easing enough to justify potential rate cuts later this year.

Stocks dropped on Thursday as concerns over rising trade tensions and a possible US government shutdown unsettled investors. The S&P 500 declined 0.5%, the Nasdaq Composite fell nearly 1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Averagedipped 0.2%, erasing some of Wednesday’s gains that were fueled by a cooler inflation report.

Market uncertainty deepened after President Trump threatened to impose a 200% tariff on European wines, champagnes, and spirits if the EU does not remove its duty on American whiskey. The EU’s tariffs were introduced as a countermeasure to the 25% US tariffs on steel and aluminum set by Trump’s administration.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer confirmed that Democrats will block a Republican spending bill, increasing the risk of a government shutdown by the weekend. As economic and political tensions rise, investors remain cautious, bracing for more market swings in the days ahead.