US stocks tumble as fresh data sparks economic slowdown fears

The US stock market experienced a significant downturn as recent economic data reignited fears of a potential slowdown. On Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged nearly 700 points, or 1.6%, closing at 40,158. The broader S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also saw steep declines, falling by 1.9% and nearly 3%, respectively.

Economic Data Sparks Concerns

The latest data from the Department of Labor revealed that initial claims for unemployment benefits rose to 249,000 last week, the highest level since August 2023. This unexpected increase has raised alarms among investors, who worry that it could signal a more significant downturn in the job market later this year. Additionally, new purchasing managers' data indicated a weakening manufacturing sector, struggling with higher interest rates and softer consumer spending.

Bill Adams, chief economist for Comerica Bank, commented on the situation: "The economy is in pretty good shape in 2024, but it does have weak spots. High interest rates are a major headwind for industries that use a lot of credit, like manufacturing, property development, and retailers of big-ticket items like furniture and cars".

Federal Reserve's Role

The Federal Reserve's recent decision to hold interest rates steady has added to the market's uncertainty. While Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted that a rate cut might be on the table for September if inflation continues to cool, investors remain cautious. "Ultimately, the market is counting on the rate-cutting cycle beginning in September," said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at Independent Advisor Alliance.

Jeffrey Gundlach, founder of DoubleLine, also weighed in, predicting that the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates by 150 basis points over the next year. "I think we're going to see about 150 basis points of cuts," Gundlach stated.

Market Reactions and Future Outlook

The recent downturn in the stock market follows a period of volatility, with several disappointing earnings reports and concerns about tighter regulations on technology companies. Despite these challenges, some sectors have shown resilience. For instance, Meta Platforms rallied 7% on stronger-than-expected second-quarter results, while Nvidia surged nearly 13% following a robust quarter from Advanced Micro Devices.

However, the broader market sentiment remains cautious. Investors are closely watching upcoming economic indicators, including the July jobs report, which is expected to provide further insights into the health of the US economy.

The recent slump in US stocks underscores the fragile state of the economy as investors navigate a complex landscape of rising unemployment, manufacturing challenges, and Federal Reserve policies. As the market continues to react to new data, the coming months will be critical in determining the trajectory of the US economy.