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Markets closed a shortened week with mixed results as investors weighed global concerns, sending tech stocks lower while oil prices surged.

Wall Street started strong in Q1 2025, with record highs in January and February, but ended the quarter in decline due to trade war fears, rising inflation, and economic uncertainty under President Trump's tariff-heavy policies; the S&P 500 fell 5%, NASDAQ dropped over 10%, while energy stocks outperformed, bond yields declined, and gold surged nearly 20% as a safe-haven asset.

Overview The year 2024 was extraordinary for the economy and the markets. High interest rates, rising unemployment, turmoil in the Middle East, and the ongoing Russia/Ukraine war, were some of the many factors that should have signaled economic contraction and a downturn in the stock market. Yet, the opposite occurred. Gross domestic product expanded by 3.1% in the third quarter and 2.9% year over year. Each of the major stock market indexes listed here posted solid year-end gains. Inflation came down. Corporate earnings grew, despite the unemployment rate inching higher.

Following Donald Trump’s election win and a projected Republican majority in Congress, financial markets experienced significant fluctuations. Key shifts included a steepened yield curve, a rally in U.S. equities, and higher Treasury yields. Investors appear optimistic, expecting pro-business policies like tax cuts (individual and corporate), deregulation, and robust earnings growth; however, risks of inflation, higher government debt, and tariffs remain concerns.

Risk management is an essential process for individuals, corporations, and financial institutions that aims to identify, assess, and mitigate risks that could negatively impact their financial well-being. Effective risk management helps ensure stability, protect assets, and achieve financial goals

Asset management is a crucial aspect of financial planning. It involves systematically developing, operating, maintaining, and cost-effectively selling assets. For individual investors or large institutions, effective asset management is key to achieving financial goals and ensuring long-term financial stability.

Corporate finance is a crucial aspect of financial management that focuses on how corporations handle funding sources, capital structuring, and investment decisions. Its primary objective is to maximize shareholder value through strategic financial planning, investment management, and resource allocation.

Financial markets are essential for the functioning of modern economies. They provide a platform where buyers and sellers can trade financial assets such as stocks, bonds, commodities, and derivatives.