The US stock market hit a speed bump on May 15, 2025, as the S&P 500 slid 0.3%, the Nasdaq dropped 0.5%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 190 points, or 0.4%, signaling a cooling of the recent rally. Fresh data revealed a sharp slowdown in April retail sales, weighed down by lingering tariff effects, dampening consumer spending after a March spike. Meanwhile, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin ($105,000) and Ethereum ($2,611) held firm, buoyed by a risk-on sentiment from the US-China trade truce, which slashed tariffs and eased recession fears.
What’s driving this wobble? The stock market’s red-hot run, fueled by tech giants like Nvidia and AMD, lost steam as investors reassessed after a 90-day tariff pause. Posts on X note weak market breadth, with more stocks declining than advancing, hinting at cautious sentiment ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s upcoming speech and PPI data. The healthcare sector, hit by UnitedHealth’s 18% plunge, dragged the Dow, while tech’s resilience kept Nasdaq losses in check.
This could signal a buying opportunity for crypto investors, as digital assets often thrive when stocks falter. But risks loom—retail’s slump might foreshadow broader economic weakness, and a hawkish Fed could pressure both markets. For beginners, this shows how global events ripple across assets. Will crypto outshine stocks? Share your take below! Follow trafy.io for more market insights.
NOTICE:
The information provided on trafy.io does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investment and trading activities involve risks, and readers are advised to conduct their own research before making decisions.
NOTICE:
The information provided on trafy.io does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investment and trading activities involve risks, and readers are advised to conduct their own research before making decisions.