US markets closed mixed on Friday as a sharp sell-off in semiconductor stocks and concerns over President Trump’s new tariff regime offset optimism regarding strong second-quarter corporate earnings.

Key Points

• The Nasdaq 100 fell 1.27% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.39% amid volatility in the technology sector.
• President Trump announced new 10% to 12.5% tariffs on 60 nations, citing forced labor concerns in global supply chains.
• Semiconductor stocks dropped over 4%, with Intel falling more than 7% despite issuing a strong third-quarter revenue forecast.
• WTI crude oil prices declined 3.12% as tankers continued navigating the Red Sea despite ongoing Houthi militant threats.
• US June new home sales increased 1.6% to 628,000, exceeding market expectations despite a decline in building permits.

Why it Matters

The market is currently balancing robust corporate earnings growth against significant geopolitical risks, including potential military escalation in Iran and a new, expansive trade tariff policy. These conflicting pressures are creating heightened uncertainty for investors, influencing both interest rate expectations and sector-specific performance.