Markets on edge: Tariffs, tech twists, and Wall Street’s wild week

2 minutes read

09 July 2025

Markets on edge: Tariffs, tech twists, and Wall Street’s wild week

It started as just another summer week on Wall Street. But by Tuesday, the mood had shifted. President Trump’s announcement of a 50% tariff on copper imports sent a jolt through the markets. Traders watched copper prices rocket to record highs, while whispers of even steeper tariffs on pharmaceuticals and tech stocks added to the tension. The market, already on edge, braced for impact.

As the dust settled, the S&P 500 ended the day nearly flat, the Nasdaq barely budged, and the Dow slipped by 165 points. Yet, beneath the surface, the story was anything but calm. The week’s headlines were a masterclass in how politics, personalities, and policy can collide to shape the world’s largest stock market.

Tariffs, uncertainty, and expert voices

The new tariffs were not just numbers on a page—they carried real consequences. “Under the new scheme, virtually all automakers will face significant pressure to raise prices, making it more likely domestic automakers will be able to effect price increases to better offset tariff costs without the risks of material market share loss,” explained Ryan Brinkman, JP Morgan’s lead auto analyst.

Peter McGuire, CEO at Trading.com Australia, offered a global perspective: “The tariff, as far as President Trump is concerned, he is increasing these tariffs from a revenue standpoint. So, he has got one agenda and that is to raise revenue for America and that is the lens that he looks through… As far as the suppliers, this is going to have to have some impact naturally, one to the consumer and secondly, whether they take on board those additional costs as far as tariffs and they absorb them and that is something that any CEO or CFO has got to work through at the moment”.

For everyday investors, the impact was immediate. The Budget Lab at Yale found that the average US household could lose up to $3,800 this year due to higher prices from tariffs, with the poorest households hit hardest. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs warned that every five-percentage-point increase in tariffs could reduce S&P 500 earnings per share by up to 2%.

Yet, not everyone was panicking. “I anticipate some threats and posturing, but I don't believe that any of this currently poses a significant risk to the market,” said Irene Tunkel, chief US equities strategist at BCA Research. A pie chart showing the tariff impact on US households

Big names, big moves

While tariffs dominated the headlines, corporate drama added its own twists. Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, sold $5.4 billion worth of shares, part of a plan to offload 25 million shares over the next year. The timing—just after his high-profile wedding—sparked speculation. Was this a sign of confidence, or something else? Wall Street stayed bullish. “Amazon stock continues to perform strongly, firmly holding above the $200 level,” reported Finbold, with analysts forecasting further upside.

Meanwhile, Apple announced the retirement of its long-serving Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams. “Jeff's importance and contributions to Apple have been enormous, although perhaps not always obvious to the general public,” said Tony Blevins, a former Apple executive. Williams, who joined Apple in 1998, was instrumental in building the company’s supply chain and launching products like the Apple Watch.

As the week closed, investors were left weighing the impact of tariffs, leadership changes, and blockbuster stock sales. The market’s direction remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: in a world where politics and business are more entwined than ever, every headline can move the needle.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or brokerage companies, and not of Winvesta. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.