Overview

• The Nasdaq has entered bear market territory, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones remain in correction zones, reflecting steep declines from recent highs.
• The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), Wall Street's 'fear gauge,' has closed above 45 for two consecutive days for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic.
• Speculation about a 90-day tariff pause briefly buoyed markets, but the White House dismissed these reports as 'fake news,' exacerbating investor uncertainty.
• Analysts estimate that Trump's tariff-driven selloff has erased approximately $9 trillion in market value over six weeks, rivaling losses from past financial crises.
• Historical patterns suggest potential long-term recovery opportunities, with past VIX spikes often preceding above-average stock market returns over subsequent years.