The S&P 500 Index just finished a vicious first quarter of 2025.

The stock market index lost over 4.5% as investor sentiment, as indicated by the CNN Money Fear and Greed Index, languishes in the “Extreme Fear” category.

The widely held SPX fell into correction territory earlier this week, indicating a 10% drop from its recent high, before regaining some ground.

Also Read: Sticky Inflation Weighs On Markets — SPY, QQQ, Tech Stocks Take A Hit

As one of the most widely used proxies for the SPX, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust ( SPY ) fell 3.76% this year as of writing. However, in the ETF, some stocks defied the trend:

CVS Health ( CVS ) jumped 53.35% due to robust earnings growth in the last quarter.

Gold miner Newmont Corporation ( NEM ) rose 26.21%, and

Philip Morris International ( PM ) spiked 29% as it shifted its focus to smoke-free products.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE – March’s 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Applovin Stock Rank?

Markets are gearing up for even more turbulence as President Donald Trump unveiled a comprehensive slate of tariffs. Watch the stream below.

Investors worry that these tariffs, potentially imposed widely on trading partners from China to Mexico and Canada, will raise costs, restrict consumer purchases, and temper economic growth.

With economic news, Federal Reserve actions, and geopolitical tensions front and center, the SPX continues on uncertain footing.

Investors will closely monitor how the market responds to Trump’s tariff declaration and whether defensive sectors continue to outperform in an increasingly uncertain economic climate.

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