03:57 PM EDT, 04/10/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes were paring some of their earlier retreat shortly before Thursday's close as investors weighed the potential impact of the escalating trade war between the US with China and possible economic downturn.

The Nasdaq was sinking 5.5% to 16,187.8, recovering about a quarter of the decline around midday, with the S&P 500 off 4.4% to 5,217.1, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 3.7% to 39,124.3. All sectors, except consumer staples, were set to finish lower, with energy, technology and consumer discretionary posting the largest slides.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures settled 4.6% down at $60.07 per barrel. Gold rose 3.2% to $3,178.70 per ounce.

US Treasury yields finished mixed, with the 10-year yield nearly unchanged at 4.40%, while the two-year slumped 11 basis points to 3.84%.