Stock Market Edges Up Amid Mixed Signals on March 17, 2025
U.S. stocks showed modest gains on Monday, March 17, 2025, as investors navigated a mix of economic data and anticipation for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6% to 41,733.52, buoyed by strength in industrial and energy sectors. The S&P 500 gained 0.3%, closing at 5,557.62, while the Nasdaq Composite edged up 0.1% to 17,709.03, supported by a rebound in tech stocks despite earlier volatility.
Markets reacted to a weaker-than-expected retail sales report, which showed a 0.2% increase in February—below the forecasted 0.6%—raising concerns about consumer spending amid economic uncertainty. However, a stronger-than-anticipated control group metric, used to calculate GDP, provided some reassurance. Meanwhile, factory activity in New York plummeted to its lowest level in nearly two years, adding to jitters about manufacturing health. Gold prices held above $3,000, reflecting investor caution, while tariff-related tensions with Mexico and Canada continued to linger in the background.
With the Fed’s policy meeting set for Wednesday, traders are bracing for signals on whether rates will hold steady or shift, with current sentiment leaning toward no immediate change. The uneven economic backdrop kept trading cautious, though bargain-hunting after last week’s sell-off helped lift major indexes from recent lows