Dow Jones Drops 2.95% Weekly as Tariff Fears Fuel VIX Spike

The Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded a significant weekly decline, falling 2.95% amid growing macroeconomic uncertainty. Market sentiment was heavily weighed down by anxieties surrounding potential new tariffs and trade-related tensions. This uncertainty triggered a sharp spike in the VIX volatility index, which climbed to 23.75, signaling heightened investor fear across Wall Street. While most blue-chip stocks struggled, IBM emerged as a notable outperformer, leading the gains within the index for the period. Conversely, Sherwin-Williams (SHW) faced substantial downward pressure, ranking among the week's worst performers alongside other major names like Salesforce (CRM). The overall market downturn highlights a clear shift toward risk-off sentiment as traders grapple with evolving trade policies and economic risks.