Weekly Stock Market Analysis, Commentary and Picks for the week ending April 18, 2025

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the Weekly Commentary / Stock Picks will no longer be free and will be available for a monthly subscription of $9.99/month.

Get our "Advanced Stocks Analysis Software for Excel 365" for $119.99 now and continue to get free Weekly Commentary / Stock Picks for next one year.

Markets Struggle Amid Volatility, Defensive Sectors Shine

Markets closed for Good Friday gave investors a welcome pause after a chaotic week dominated by tariff fears, weak tech performance, and cautious Fed commentary. While jobless claims beat expectations and oil prices rebounded, broader indexes still sank—Dow fell 2.7%, Nasdaq dropped 2.6%, and the S&P 500 slid 1.5%. A 22% plunge in United Health weighed heavily on the Dow, though Eli Lilly’s 14% surge helped cushion the healthcare sector. Despite Lilly's pill-based GLP-1 drug success, Nvidia and other chipmakers continued sliding due to export controls. The Russell 2000 led weekly gains, but its bounce looked more like a short-term reversal than a trend shift. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 flashed a bearish “death cross,” sparking fears of further declines amid high VIX levels and fragile consumer sentiment. Sector-wise, investors favored defensives like Staples, Real Estate, and Utilities, while aggressive growth areas—Tech, Communications, and Discretionary—lagged. Materials stood out thanks to gold’s rally. Overall, the market remains in a precarious state, with few signs of a sustainable recovery yet in sight.

More in our detailed weekly commentary ….