Category Monthly Dividend

Stocks tumbled on Friday, adding to the previous day’s massive losses and capping off one of the worst weeks on Wall Street since the turn of the century. 

Market participants started the week cautiously optimistic that the reciprocal tariffs that were slated to be announced Wednesday would give businesses and investors some much-needed clarity on U.S. trade policy. But investors were caught off guard by the sheer size and scope of the taxes, which are expected to lift the U.S. effective tariff rate to its highest level in more than a century. Economists warn tariffs of that magnitude could slash economic growth and reignite inflation. 

This week’s market sell-off was one of the most punishing in recent memory. Here are some data points that put this very bad week in context: 

• The S&P 500 fell 10.5% across Thursday and Friday, the index’s worst 2-day stretch since March 2020 and its third-worst since the turn of the century. The index’s 9.1% loss this week ranks as the seventh-worst week in the last 25 years.
• The Dow had its sixth-worst week of the 21st century; it fell 7.9% over the week and 9.3% in the last two days.
• The Dow shed 2,231 points on Friday, its third-largest one-day point decline on record. 
• The Nasdaq Composite has dropped 11.4% since Trump’s tariff announcement, also its worst 2-day stretch since March 2020. 
• Shares of Apple (AAPL), the world’s most valuable company, have lost 15.9% of their value since Wednesday’s close, their worst 2-day stretch since September 2008. The rout wiped more than half a trillion dollars off the iPhone maker’s market capitalization. 
• 31 companies in the S&P 500 lost more than 20% this week; 247 companies, or nearly half the index, fell 10% or more. 
• Just 21 stocks in the benchmark index—mostly healthcare companies and utilities—finished the week higher; on Friday, only 14 stocks rose. 
• Nike (NKE) rose 3% Friday, making it the only stock in the blue-chip Dow index to close in the green. Still, shares finished the week 10% lower. 
• Even companies with little to no direct tariff exposure were hammered. Palantir (PLTR), the software company that derives most of its revenue from the federal government, tumbled 14% this week. DoorDash (DASH) and Netflix (NFLX), despite not making or selling any physical products subject to tariffs, dropped about 11% and 8%, respectively. 

U.S. defense contractors like Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) could be relatively insulated from the impacts of the Trump administration’s new tariffs, Morgan Stanley analysts said Friday.

Supply chains for many defense companies have historically been based in the U.S. for national security reasons, the analysts said. Firms that work primarily with the U.S. government also face less pressure from retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries, they added. 

Morgan Stanley named Lockheed and Northrop, along with L3Harris (LHX), as examples of defense companies that could be well-positioned to weather the new tariff environment. Conversely, the analysts said they expect defense companies with greater exposure to commercial clients like General Dynamics (GD) and Textron (TXT) to feel more pressure. 

Shares of Lockheed and Northrop each fell about 4% in Friday afternoon trading, while L3Harris slid close to 3% amid a broad-based decline. General Dynamics and Textron shares dropped more than 6% and 7%, respectively. (Read Investopedia’s live coverage of today’s market action here.)

Bitcoin prices ticked up Friday, reversing a slide that began when new tariffs were unveiled earlier this week.

Prices for the leading cryptocurrency crept toward $84,000, after sinking below $81,500 Thursday. Bitcoin plunged Wednesday when President Donald Trump announced a package of “reciprocal” tariffs, shocking the markets and sapping investors’ appetite for risk.

The recovery did not extend to several other crypto-related stocks. Shares of Robinhood Markets (HOOD), which facilitates crypto trades, were recently down 11% from Thursday’s close, while shares of Coinbase Global (COIN), a crypto exchange operator, were off by 7%. 

Crypto mining company Mara Holdings’ (MARA) shares lost about 1%. Shares of Strategy (MSTR), a Bitcoin buyer previously known as MicroStategy, were recently more than 3% higher on the day.

Bitcoin remains well below the six figure prices it fetched in February when investors were optimistic that Trump’s policies would bolster cryptocurrency. 

The total market cap of cryptocurrency is around $2.6 trillion, having shrunk from more than $3.7 trillion in late 2024, according to CoinMarketCap data.

President Trump on Friday extended TikTok‘s deadline to be sold or face a ban in the U.S. by another 75 days. The social media platform had previously faced a Saturday deadline, after Trump extended it by 75 days in January.

“My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress. The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform Friday.

The app, which is owned by Chinese social media company ByteDance, has received bids from a number of technology and media companies in recent weeks. Trump told reporters this week that a deal is “very close” to being made, without specifying which is likely to buy TikTok, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

Who Is in the Running To Buy TikTok?

A wide range of potential buyers have reportedly made bids for TikTok in recent months, including Reddit (RDDT) co-founder Alexis Ohanian and “Shark Tank” host Kevin O’Leary.

Amazon (AMZN) has also submitted an offer, according to reports Wednesday, while adtech company AppLovin (APP) on Thursday confirmed its interest in acquiring TikTok’s non-China operations in a regulatory filing.

Trump and some of his advisors reportedly discussed options this week, with contenders including a group led by Oracle (ORCL) and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, according to reports.

It remains to be seen whether the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China after the Trump administration announced new tariffs this week could impact the Chinese government’s willingness to allow a deal.

Why Does TikTok Face a Ban?

Trump had supported a ban of the app in his first term, with a bipartisan effort to ban it or force it to be sold to a U.S. company amid concerns that the Chinese government could access data about TikTok’s 170 million American users, though the company has maintained the Chinese government does not have access to that data.

The ban was eventually passed through Congress, with President Joe Biden signing the bill into law last April. The law survived lawsuits as it was upheld in court rulings, with the Supreme Court in January ruling that the Jan. 19 deadline could remain in place.

The app went dark for U.S. users around 11 p.m. ET on Jan. 18, before restoring service hours later as Trump signed an executive order extending the deadline by 75 days.

UPDATE—April 4, 2025: This article has been updated since it was first published to reflect Trump’s deadline extension.

DuPont (DD) shares tumbled Friday after a Chinese regulator said it was investigating the company’s operations in China.

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said Friday that it has opened an investigation into DuPont China over a suspected violation of the country’s anti-monopoly law.

The agency did not provide any additional information about how DuPont is alleged to have violated the law. In its latest quarterly report, DuPont said China sales accounted for about a fifth of its revenue for the fourth quarter and full year in 2024 at $584 million and $2.345 billion, respectively.

The investigation comes as China on Friday also said that it would match the 34% tariff that the Trump administration levied against the country in its tariffs announced Wednesday.

DuPont did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The chemical giant’s shares were down more than 12% at $59.59 in Friday afternoon trading. Earlier in the session, they dropped to $56.18, their lowest point since late 2022.

Caterpillar (CAT) shares fell Friday amid concerns over the impact of retaliatory tariffs on the company’s global construction footprint. 

Caterpillar shares slid more than 5% in recent trading after China’s finance ministry said it would implement a 34% import duty on goods from the U.S. starting April 10, matching the tariff on Chinese goods announced by the Trump administration late Wednesday. Friday’s drop in Caterpillar’s stock price extends losses Thursday, with shares down 13% over the past two sessions. 

The construction company operates manufacturing and distribution centers around the world, including in China, and is widely considered a bellwether stock as a proxy for domestic and global economic expansion or contraction. Since the start of 2025, its shares are down nearly 20%. 

In January, Caterpillar had posted declining revenue year-over-year and missed Wall Street’s expectations for its fiscal fourth quarter, reporting a slowdown in its construction industries segment.

We’ve all been there. Life gets busy and filing taxes falls to the bottom of your list of priorities. The challenge of filing your taxes late can feel overwhelming whether you missed the deadline by a few days or a few months but you can make a significant difference in resolving the situation efficiently and reducing any financial burden if you take certain actions right away.

It’s important to take the necessary steps to minimize penalties, avoid interest charges, and ensure that you’re compliant with IRS tax regulations.

Gather Your Documents

The tax deadline is typically April 15 of each year. Not filing isn’t the ideal course of action and the sooner you address the matter the more options you’ll have to reduce the financial impact and resolve things quickly and efficiently.

“People often incorrectly assume that they’re better off avoiding filing if they can’t pay. In reality, penalties are much harsher for failing to file than for failing to pay,” said Johnny Wolfe, tax accountant and owner of Madison’s Accounting & Tax Services.

Start by gathering your documents such as W-2s, receipts, and previous tax returns. This will ensure that you provide accurate information, reducing errors that could lead to further delays and additional penalties.

File As Soon As Possible

Those who didn’t file for an extension and missed the deadline should file their taxes as soon as possible. This minimizes penalties and interest but you don’t want to rush the process and miss out on claiming potential tax deductions or tax credits that could reduce your tax burden.

“Rushing to file often leads to missed deductions or credits. Take time to review your return carefully, enlisting the help of a tax professional, if necessary, and ensure you are taking advantage of all applicable deductions and credits,” Wolfe recommended.

Filing an extension gives you until October 15 to file. You can avoid penalties and interest but you must pay any taxes owed by the original filing date of April 15. Pay what you owe online and check the box for an extension to apply for one or file Form 4868 by mail or electronically. You can also apply electronically through IRS Free File if you meet the income requirements.

“If you qualify for special circumstances like being in a disaster area or serving in the military overseas, you may qualify for an automatic extension,” Wolfe said.

Deal With Penalties and Interest

The IRS charges a late filing penalty which is typically 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month the return is delayed, up to a maximum of 25%. There’s also a late payment penalty of 0.5% of the unpaid amount for each month up to 25%.

Interest is also charged on any back taxes and it can accrue daily. You’ll still incur interest charges if you file late but pay your taxes right away. The key to reducing these costs is to pay as much as you can even if you aren’t paying the full amount when you file. The more you pay now, the less interest will accumulate.

“Late penalties and interest accrue quickly but even partial payments can help reduce the financial impact,” Wolfe said.

Taxpayers who file more than 60 days late can expect an automatic penalty. “If you file more than 60 days late, you’ll owe either $485 (for 2024) or 100% of the taxes due, whichever is less,” Wolfe explained.

Explore Payment Options and Relief Programs

The IRS offers taxpayers several options to help pay their balance if they owe. One option is to set up an installment agreement which allows you to pay off your balance over time.

You’ll get up to 180 days to pay what you owe with the short-term installment agreement. The long-term agreement requires monthly payments until the balance is paid in full. You’ll pay a set-up fee for the long-term installment agreement which varies based on the enrollment and payment method.

The IRS also provides relief programs such as an offer in compromise, formerly known as the Fresh Start Program. This allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount owed if paying the full balance would cause financial hardship or if you can’t pay the full balance. The IRS considers factors like your ability to pay, expenses, income, and assets when deciding whether to accept the offer. Taxpayers can use the online tool to confirm eligibility for the program before applying.

“If you have a reasonable cause (illness, records destroyed, etc.), you can request relief by submitting Form 843 to the IRS,” Wolfe noted.

Taxpayers can use Form 843 to request an abatement, or reduction, of certain taxes, interest, penalties, and fees.

The Bottom Line

Filing your taxes late isn’t ideal but it isn’t the end of the world. The most important thing is to act quickly so you can resolve the situation and avoid further complications. Don’t hesitate to explore payment options or relief programs to lessen the financial burden if you end up owing money. And remember to mark your calendar for next year’s tax deadline to avoid repeating the process.

U.S. stock futures are declining sharply after indexes plummeted on tariffs announcements from President Donald Trump; China retaliates with a 34% tariff on U.S. imports; job growth is seen having slowed slightly in today’s March labor report; Intel (INTC) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) reportedly have tentatively agreed to form a joint venture to run the U.S. company’s foundry business; and Capital One Financial’s (COF) proposed $35 billion acquisition of Discover Financial Services (DFS) reportedly won’t be challenged on antitrust grounds by the DOJ. Here’s what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Decline Sharply After Indexes Tumble Thursday on Tariffs

U.S. stock futures are pointing sharply lower after global markets plummeted in reaction to President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs and China announced retaliatory taxes on U.S. imports early Friday. Nasdaq futures are nearly 4% lower after the tech-heavy index tumbled 6% in the prior session. S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are each down around 3.5% after also plunging yesterday. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note are falling, trading around 3.9%. Oil futures are down sharply and bitcoin (BTCUSD) is trading around $82,000. Gold futures are rising.

2. China Announces Retaliatory Tariffs

China on Friday announced it will be imposing 34% tariffs on U.S. imports starting April 10 in retaliation for those implemented by the White House, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump defended his tariff proposals, saying he was open to negotiations and had been in discussions with other nations over the sweeping import taxes he announced on Wednesday, according to Bloomberg. Trump suggested that China could see lower tariffs if Beijing approves a sale of social media app TikTok, which is facing a Saturday deadline for a U.S. ban, the report said.

3. US Job Growth Expected to Have Slowed in March Employment Report

The U.S. labor market is expected to have slowed slightly in March when the monthly employment report is released at 8:30 a.m. ET. U.S. employers are forecast to have added 140,000 jobs in the month, down from 151,000 in February, according to a Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal survey of economists. The unemployment rate is expected to remain at 4.1%. The data comes a day after a report indicated layoffs are soaring on federal workforce reductions.

4. Intel, TSMC Set to Form US Joint Chipmaking Venture, Report Says

Intel (INTC) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) have tentatively agreed to form a joint venture that would run the U.S. company’s foundry business, according to a report in The Information. TSMC, the world’s largest chip manufacturer, would own a 20% stake in the combined company, the report said. Intel shares plummeted in 2024 as the chipmaker struggled to keep up with rivals on artificial intelligence (AI), but the stock is up 12% this year through Thursday after it named a new CEO. Intel stock and U.S.-listed TSMC shares are sharply lower in premarket trading amid the broader market selloff.

5. DOJ Reportedly Won’t Block Capital One-Discover Merger

The Justice Department doesn’t plan to block Capital One Financial’s (COF) plans to buy Discover Financial Services (DFS) after its review didn’t raise enough concerns over competition, according to a report in The New York Times. The news removes one potential obstacle for the proposed $35 billion merger of two of the U.S.’s largest credit card companies. The Federal Reserve or the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) could still block the deal, although they are generally viewed as less likely to act, the Times said. Shares of both firms were lower in premarket trading amid broader market declines.

Shares of RH (RH) plunged Thursday on the heels of disappointing earnings results and reciprocal tariffs announced by the Trump administration.

The luxury furniture retailer’s stock fell 40% in Thursday’s session, a day after the company issued a weaker-than-expected outlook and President Trump unveiled steep tariffs against China and other Asian countries RH sources from.

The drop in RH’s stock price caught CEO Gary Friedman’s attention during the company’s earnings call. “Oh sh—,” Friedman said, according to a transcript provided by AlphaSense. “I just looked at the screen.”

Friedman said “it’s not a secret,” RH sources its products from Asia, but stressed the company isn’t alone. “Anybody of scale in the home business has a high percentage of their content coming out of Asia,” he said. 

Other furniture stocks followed RH lower amid a broad-based decline. Wayfair (W) shares lost about a quarter of their value Thursday, and La-Z-Boy (LZB) dropped close to 9%. (Read Investopedia’s live coverage of today’s market action here.)

Nike (NKE) shares tumbled Thursday amid concerns that the Trump administration’s recently announced reciprocal tariffs could weigh on the company’s profits.

Under Washington’s new levies, Nike’s key manufacturing partners in Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and China will be subject to lofty import duties ranging from 32% to 49%, prompting worries that rising production costs and consumer prices could shrink margins and slow demand.

Morgan Stanley recently said that investors are under-appreciating the potential impact of tariffs on Vietnam, a country where the sports gear giant manufactured about half of its footwear in fiscal 2024.

Nike was the biggest decliner in the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Thursday, falling 14% to $55.58, closing at its lowest level since December 2017. Shares have lost 27% of their value since the start of the year, with both tariff uncertainty and a weak sales outlook pressuring the stock.

Below, we zoom out on Nike’s monthly chart to identify crucial historical price level that investors may be watching.

Head and Shoulders Breakdown Accelerates Selling

Since breaking down below the neckline of a head and shoulders pattern last June, Nike shares have continued to trend sharply lower.

More recently, selling has accelerated on above-average trading volume, with the price falling decisively below the 200-month moving average to kick off April following Trump’s tariffs announcement.

While the relative strength index (RSI) confirms bearish price momentum with a reading below 50, the indicator continues tracking toward oversold territory, potentially increasing the chances of a near-term bounce.

Let’s identify crucial support and resistance levels on Nike’s chart by applying technical analysis.

Crucial Support Levels to Watch

Continued selling could see the shares tumble to the psychological $50 level. This area may provide support near the November 2014 peak and lower range of a 12-month consolidation period that formed on the chart between October 2016 and October 2017.

A drop below this level opens the door for a move to lower support around $40. Investors may look to accumulate shares in this region near a brief sideways trend on the chart that followed the stock’s impulsive move higher throughout 2013. 

This location also roughly aligns with a projected measured move downside target that calculates the percentage decline from the top of the head and shoulders formation to the pattern’s neckline and deducts that change from the breakdown point.

Key Resistance Levels Worth Monitoring

During upswings in the stock, investors should initially monitor the $68 level. This area would likely provide overhead selling pressure near a horizontal line that connects multiple peaks and troughs on the chart from December 2015 to February this year.

Finally, the bulls’ ability to reclaim this key technical level could see Nike shares move up to around $86. Investors who have bought at lower prices may seek exit points in this location on a retest of the head and shoulders’ neckline.

The comments, opinions, and analyses expressed on Investopedia are for informational purposes only. Read our warranty and liability disclaimer for more info.

As of the date this article was written, the author does not own any of the above securities.