Stock Market Today: Stocks Stall on Tariff Talk, Inflation Data
A slew of economic news and some tough posturing on trade put a damper on equities.



Stocks took a breather ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday as tariff threats and a mixed reading on the Fed's preferred inflation gauge clouded the picture for rate policy in the year ahead. Mega-cap tech stocks driving the bulk of the bull market's gains led equities lower, hurt by disappointing results from two big PC manufacturers.
Markets failed to build on record highs by advancing for a seventh consecutive session on Wednesday, as a slew of economics reports suggested the Federal Reserve's gradual pace of quarter-point cuts to the short-term federal funds rate may have to be rethought.
"A one-two punch of hawkish trade rhetoric from President-elect Trump and accelerating PCE inflation is bumping up equity market volatility today," writes José Torres, senior economist at Interactive Brokers. "The Fed's preferred price pressure gauge is moving away from the central bank's target just as protectionist proposals threaten to hit consumers with higher costs for goods."
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Economics in focus
Market participants hoping for a more dovish stance on monetary policy had a mixed reaction to the latest inflation data. The Fed's preferred measure of consumer prices – the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE) – showed that inflation came in a bit hot last month.
PCE inflation increased 0.24% in October, up from 0.18% in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On an annual basis, inflation increased 2.3% in October. Most importantly, core PCE, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, rose 2.8%. That was ahead of estimates as well as the Fed's 2% inflation target.
"Today's data shouldn't change views of the likely path for disinflation, however bumpy," notes David Alcaly, lead macroeconomic strategist at Lazard Asset Management. "But a lot of observers, probably including some at the Fed, are looking for reasons to get more hawkish on the outlook given the potential for inflationary policy change like new tariffs."
Although a quarter-point cut remains in play at the next Fed meeting, "further rate cuts in 2025 are fading as policy gets closer to neutral," says David Russell, global head of market strategy at TradeStation. "Inflation is fading as an issue as investors shift to cyclical growth."
At the closing bell, the blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.3% to 44,722, while the broader S&P 500 shed 0.4% to 5,998. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.6% to end at 19,060. Tech stocks, consumer discretionary names and industrials were among the sector laggards, while real estate, healthcare and consumer staples caught a bid.
Stocks in focus
Disappointing quarterly results from Dell (DELL) and HP (HPQ) showed persistently sluggish demand in the market for personal computers and related tech products. The industry, which is still recovering from a post-pandemic slump, is counting on AI to lift its fortunes.
Lamentably, these endeavors have yet to bear fruit.
Shares in Dell declined 12.2% after the company late Tuesday gave a fourth-quarter revenue forecast below analysts' expectations. Weak demand for PCs and increased competition in its server business were to blame.
DELL stock was up about 88% for the year to date thanks to magical thinking about the potential for AI, but as Chief Operating Officer Jeff Clark told investors on Dell's earnings call, "[The AI] business will not be linear, especially as customers navigate an underlying silicon roadmap that is changing."
Meanwhile, over at HP, shares retreated 11.4% after the PC maker likewise gave an outlook that cast doubt on demand for artificial intelligence-enabled PCs.
The results from DELL and HPQ helped spark a selloff in the broader tech sector, with semiconductor stocks Broadcom (AVGO, -3.1%), Micron Technology (MU, -3.5%) and Intel (INTC, -1.7%) among the standout laggards.
Related content
- Stock Picks That Billionaires Love
- Best Blue Chip Stocks: 21 Hedge Fund Top Picks
- Stocks With the Highest Dividend Yields in the S&P 500
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Dan Burrows is Kiplinger's senior investing writer, having joined the publication full time in 2016.
A long-time financial journalist, Dan is a veteran of MarketWatch, CBS MoneyWatch, SmartMoney, InvestorPlace, DailyFinance and other tier 1 national publications. He has written for The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Consumer Reports and his stories have appeared in the New York Daily News, the San Jose Mercury News and Investor's Business Daily, among many other outlets. As a senior writer at AOL's DailyFinance, Dan reported market news from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
Once upon a time – before his days as a financial reporter and assistant financial editor at legendary fashion trade paper Women's Wear Daily – Dan worked for Spy magazine, scribbled away at Time Inc. and contributed to Maxim magazine back when lad mags were a thing. He's also written for Esquire magazine's Dubious Achievements Awards.
In his current role at Kiplinger, Dan writes about markets and macroeconomics.
Dan holds a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and a master's degree from Columbia University.
Disclosure: Dan does not trade individual stocks or securities. He is eternally long the U.S equity market, primarily through tax-advantaged accounts.
-
Stocks Rise to End a Volatile Week: Stock Market Today
The market's fear index reached and retreated from a six-month intraday peak on Friday as stocks closed the week well.
-
Kiplinger News Quiz, Oct 17 — Longest Government Shutdown?
Quiz We covered stories about the shutdown, Medicare and vehicle recalls this week, but why? Test yourself on the latest financial and business news.
-
Stocks Rise to End a Volatile Week: Stock Market Today
The market's fear index reached and retreated from a six-month intraday peak on Friday as stocks closed the week well.
-
I Bought Palantir When It Was Trading at $8. Now It's $180 and I've Made $1 Million. What Do I Do?
What do you do with all that appreciated Palantir stock? We asked a financial expert for advice.
-
Treat Home Equity Like Other Investments in Your Retirement Plan: Look at Its Track Record
Homeowners who are considering using home equity in their retirement plan can analyze it like they do their other investments. Here's how.
-
Why Does It Take Insurers So Darn Long to Pay Claims? An Insurance Expert Explains
The process of verification, investigation and cost assessment after a loss is complex and goes beyond simply cutting a check.
-
Two Reasons to Consider Deferred Compensation in the Wake of the OBBB, From a Financial Planner
Deferred compensation plans let you potentially lower your current taxes and help to keep you out of a higher tax bracket. It's important to consider the risks.
-
Dow Sinks 301 Points on Trade War Talk: Stock Market Today
The contentious relationship between the world's two biggest economies continues to drive global financial markets.
-
The Best Gold Mutual Funds to Buy Right Now — And When to Choose An ETF Instead
Gold mutual funds offer investors exposure to the yellow precious metal, which has been red-hot this year. But a caveat is required.
-
Financial Fact vs Fiction: The Truth About Social Security Entitlement (and Reverse Mortgages' Bad Rap)
Despite the 'entitlement' moniker, Social Security and Medicare are both benefits that workers earn. And reverse mortgages can be a strategic tool for certain people. Plus, we're setting the record straight on three other myths.