Stocks continued their slide through a volatile week. U.S. trade policy drove much of the market’s movement, broadening investors’ concerns about economic growth and inflation.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 3.10 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 3.45 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 2.37 percent. By contrast, the MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rallied 2.85 percent.

Tariffs Take Effect

Big price swings and tariff uncertainty loomed over the entire week. Stocks opened lower out of the gate after the White House confirmed the planned 25 percent tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods would go forward. Soft manufacturing and construction data also put broad downward pressure on markets. Meanwhile, European stocks continued to rally on anticipated defense spending.

Stocks fell further as tariffs affected Canada, Mexico, and China. Each country announced retaliatory tariffs of their own, further fanning inflationary fears among investors. By Tuesday’s close, all three averages were down 3 percent on the week, and the S&P had given up its post-election gains.

Markets rebounded midweek after the White House announced a one-month reprieve from tariffs for North American automakers complying with the existing United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The recovery rally built momentum as the administration hinted that exemptions for other sectors could follow.

However, as trade policy fatigue rose again, the rebound reversed—despite the White House pausing more tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports until April 2. Comments from the Treasury secretary defending U.S. tariffs and downbeat economic reports put further pressure on share prices. The Nasdaq entered correction territory, and for the first time in five years, the S&P 500 hit its sixth consecutive day of +/-1 percent price swings.

Stocks continued to fall after an underwhelming February jobs report. Later, markets rebounded after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that the economy “continues to be in a good place” and that the Fed was holding firm on current rates. The S&P, Dow, and Nasdaq all finished Friday in the green despite being down for the week.

Getting A Read On Tariffs

Markets dislike uncertainty, so steady trade talk produces volatile intra-week trading. Investors don’t know what tariffs will be enforced versus which ones are part of an ongoing negotiation, which can produce unsettling price swings.

S&P 500 companies echo some of that uncertainty. At last check, 146 have mentioned the term “tariff” or “tariffs” on Q4 conference calls with shareholders–the highest level since Q2 2019.

Under The Hood

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) published fresh manufacturing data on Monday. Although headline numbers were decent, a closer look revealed that new orders dropped in January from a years-long high into correction territory while deliveries and prices paid jumped.

Tuesday:  Job Openings. NFIB Small Business Optimism Index.

Wednesday:   Consumer Price Index (CPI). Federal Budget. Treasury Announcement.

Thursday:   Producer Price Index (PPI). Initial Jobless Claims.

Friday:    Consumer Sentiment.

Source: Econoday

Monday: Oracle Corporation (ORCL)

Wednesday:  Adobe Inc. (ADBE)

Source:Zacks.com

Sources: YCharts.com, March 8, 2025

Weekly performance is measured from the close of trading Monday March 3, to Friday, March 7 close.

Perfect Your Pigeon Pose

If you sit a lot at work or have tight hips, the pigeon pose (a popular pose in yoga) might help. It’s a simple pose that anyone can do, even if you don’t have experience practicing yoga. Here’s how to do it:

First, start on all fours with your hands shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart.

Next, bring your right knee close to your right wrist and get your shin parallel to the mat’s top.

Then, bring your left leg back behind you and rest on the mat with your thigh, knee, and shin touching it.

Some find sitting in this pose with their chest upright enough. To increase the intensity of the pose, they lean forward, rest their forearms on the mat, and rest their heads on their hands.

Tip adapted from Healthline

Overstuffed Chicken & Broccoli Quesadillas

Serves: 4

 Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cups chopped broccoli
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup roughly chopped spinach or kale
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro (optional)
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (see Author Notes)
• 4 teaspoons unsalted butter, divided
• 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas
• 3 cups (12 ounces) shredded white cheddar, or another type of combo or shredded cheese
• Guacamole, sour cream, and salsa, for serving

Directions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable or olive oil. Add the onion and broccoli, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 3 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Add the spinach, garlic, and chili powder and stir for another minute until you can smell the garlic, the spinach is wilted, and everything is well combined. Stir in the cilantro if using, turn the mixture into a bowl, and stir in the chicken until everything is blended.
2. Wash and dry the skillet (or grab a new skillet). Place the skillet over medium heat and add a half teaspoon of butter. Place a tortilla in the pan. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture over half of the quesadilla, and distribute 1/8 of the chicken and vegetable mixture over the cheese. Top that with another 2 tablespoons of the shredded cheese. Flip the bare half of the tortilla over the filling, cover the pan, and sauté for about 2 minutes until the bottom is golden and the cheese has started to melt, then use a spatula to flip the half-moon quesadilla. Continue to cook, uncovered, until all of the cheese is melted and the underside is browned, 2 to 3 minutes. You can cook two at a time, if you nestle them in the pan with the flat sides of the half moons abutting each other.
3. Remove the quesadilla to a cutting board and let it sit for a minute before you slice into 2 or 3 wedges. Repeat until all of the quesadillas are cooked. Serve with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.

Recipe adapted from Food52

How to Hit a Straight Shot in Golf

There are nine main shots in golf; straight, draw, and fade at three trajectories (high, low, and normal). Two things affect the shape and direction of a shot; the clubface position and path at impact.

To hit a straight shot in gold you need a neutral swing path with a square clubface at impact.

The biggest things to focus on include:

• Neutral grip
• Correct ball position
• Creating lag in the downswing
• Good left arm position at the top of the backswing

If you can pair this with fast swing speed, you’ll hit the golf ball long and straight. Center contact with the golf club isn’t easy but with enough work on the driving range alongside these fundamentals, you can do it.

Tip adapted  from The Monday Campaigns

Are Medical And Dental Expenses Tax-Deductible?

If you file your taxes using itemized deductions, you may be able to deduct medical and dental expenses for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. According to the IRS, you may deduct only the total medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

Some types of medical care expenses that may be deductible include:

• Payments for the diagnosis, cure, treatment, and prevention of a disease
• Payments to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and nontraditional medical practitioners
• Paying for inpatient hospital care or nursing home care
• Fees associated with inpatient treatment for alcohol or drug addiction
• Payments to participate in a weight-loss program for a specific disease diagnosed by a doctor (such as obesity)

Tip adapted from IRS

Photo of the Week

Lady Franklin Fjord Polar Bear  

Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, Norway

Financial planning and investment advisory services offered through Cleveland Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified wealth advisor and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.