The week ending February 14th, 2025, was a volatile one for stock markets across the globe. Geopolitical events, economic data releases, and concerns about U.S. trade policy all contributed to a dynamic period for investors. This article provides a comprehensive summary of stock market performance in the USA, Europe, Asia, India, and Oceania.
Impact of U.S. Trade Policy
One of the major themes of the week was President Trump’s announcement of a plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries that have unfair trade practices with the U.S1. This plan, while not set for immediate implementation, caused uncertainty in markets worldwide. Investors are concerned about the potential for retaliatory measures and the impact on global trade and economic growth.
USA
| Index | Weekly Change (%) |
|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 0.04 |
| Dow Jones Industrial Average | -0.38 |
| Nasdaq Composite | 0.38 |
| Russell 2000 | -0.14 |
In the United States, major stock indices ended the week with mixed results. The S&P 500 showed a slight increase of 0.04% 2, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.38% 2. The Nasdaq Composite, on the other hand, saw a gain of 0.38% 2. These varied performances reflect the uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s reciprocal tariff plans and the release of mixed economic data.
Despite these concerns, the U.S. stock market demonstrated resilience. The Nasdaq earned the largest weekly gain with a 2.5% increase, while the S&P 500 added 1.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had a more modest increase of 0.7% 3. A strong earnings season in the U.S. is a key driver of this market performance. S&P 500 earnings growth is projected to come in at 16.75% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, which would be the highest reported growth since Q4 2021 4.
Economic data releases also contributed to market volatility. January’s Producer Price Index (PPI) exceeded expectations, indicating intensifying inflationary pressures 5. However, key components of the PPI data suggest the potential for softer inflation 6. This mixed data has led to uncertainty about the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut trajectory.
Adding to the complexity of the U.S. market, investors are analysing the large amount of Treasury debt coming due in 2025, with $9 trillion set to mature this year 3. Refinancing this debt at potentially higher interest rates could add trillions of dollars to the deficit over the next decade.
Here’s a look at the market capitalisation of the top companies in the U.S. stock market:
| Company | Market Cap |
|---|---|
| Apple | $3.69 trillion |
| Nvidia | $3.33 trillion |
| Microsoft | $3.03 trillion |
| Amazon | $2.41 trillion |
| Meta | $1.84 trillion |
| Tesla | $1.12 trillion |
| Broadcom | $1.09 trillion |
| Alphabet | $1.06 trillion |
| Walmart | $840.54 billion |
| Eli Lilly | $827.63 billion |
Europe
| Index | Weekly Change (%) |
|---|---|
| FR40 | 0.35 |
| DE40 | -0.52 |
| IT40 | 0.35 |
| ES35 | 0.06 |
| EU100 | 0.45 |
| EU600 | -0.01 |
| EU50 | -0.03 |
European equities had a strong showing this week, with the STOXX Europe 600 reaching new all-time highs 3. The prospect of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine following negotiations between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin boosted investor confidence 3. This potential for peace is a significant bullish factor for European equities, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict.
Positive corporate earnings reports from companies like Nestle, Siemens, and Hermes also contributed to the optimistic sentiment 3. However, the UK market underperformed compared to the broader European market due to concerns about a potential budget deficit and the possibility of spending cuts or higher taxes 3.
Individual factors, such as earnings reports, also influenced market movements in Europe. In the UK, the FTSE 100 lagged behind other European indices. Weak performances from companies like NatWest, Diageo, and Unilever, all of which reported results this week, contributed to this underperformance 7.
Asia
| Index | Weekly Change (%) |
|---|---|
| Hang Seng | 3.69 |
| CSI 300 | 0.7 |
| Nikkei 225 | -0.79 |
| KOSPI | 0.31 |
| Taiex | -1.05 |
| Sensex | -0.26 |
Asian markets ended the week with a mix of gains and losses. President Trump’s decision to delay reciprocal U.S. tariffs and the initiation of ceasefire talks between Trump and Putin provided support to the market 3. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged by 3.69% 8, driven by strong performance in artificial intelligence (AI) related stocks 3. Enthusiasm for AI advancements, fueled by DeepSeek news, is driving strong gains in Hong Kong’s tech sector. Mainland China also saw solid gains, while South Korea and Japan edged higher 3.
Taiwan and India were the only major markets in the region to end the week lower 3. Concerns about U.S. trade policy and potential disruptions to global supply chains weighed on investor sentiment in these markets. The VIX, a measure of market volatility, fell to 15.10, reflecting easing market uncertainty in the region 9.
India
| Index | Weekly Change (%) |
|---|---|
| Sensex | -0.26 |
| Nifty 50 | -0.44 |
Indian stock markets faced a challenging week, with the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty extending their losing streak for the eighth consecutive session 10. A long bear candle was formed on the weekly chart, which indicates a reversal on the downside 11. Escalating trade tensions following President Trump’s proposed reciprocal tariffs contributed to the negative sentiment 12. Despite discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump on easing tariffs and increasing U.S. imports, concerns about the impact on India persisted 12.
The decline in Indian markets was broad-based, with all sectors closing in the red 10. Muted earnings trends, INR depreciation, and external factors like tariffs are expected to keep the sentiments weak in the near term 10. Continuous foreign fund outflows are also contributing to the weakness in Indian markets 10. The Nifty Midcap 150 and Nifty Smallcap 250 indices tumbled by 7% and 9%, respectively in 2025, reflecting investors’ growing preference for safer large-cap stocks 12.
Oceania
| Index | Weekly Change (%) |
|---|---|
| S&P/ASX 200 | 0.19 |
In Oceania, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index rose by 0.19% 13. The market benefited from the positive performance of Wall Street and the potential for a pause in new U.S. tariffs 13. However, there were concerns about the impact of U.S. trade policy on the Australian economy.
Here\’s a look at how commodities performed in Oceania:
| Commodity | Price | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $2956.35 | 0.43 |
| Silver | $33.25 | 1.88 |
| Brent Oil | $75.19 | 0.19 |
| WTI Oil | $71.37 | 0.13 |
Global Trends
Several global trends emerged during the week ending February 14th, 2025. The potential Russia-Ukraine ceasefire had a positive impact on both European and Asian markets, boosting investor confidence and driving gains in certain sectors. However, concerns about U.S. trade policy created uncertainty in most regions, with investors closely monitoring developments and potential implications for global trade and economic growth.
Conclusion
The week ending February 14th, 2025, was a period of significant activity in global stock markets. While some regions like Europe, benefited from positive geopolitical developments, others like India, faced challenges due to trade tensions. The overall global stock market outlook remains dynamic, with investors closely monitoring economic data, geopolitical events, and trade developments 1. It will be an interesting week coming up for the Indian markets after details from Indian PM Modi’s meeting with US President Trump are analysed.
The interconnectedness of global markets was evident this week, with events in one region influencing others. For example, the potential Russia-Ukraine ceasefire not only boosted European markets but also had a positive impact on investor sentiment in Asia. Similarly, concerns about U.S. trade policy created uncertainty in most regions, highlighting the potential for global repercussions from U.S. actions.
Looking ahead, investors will continue to assess the impact of these developments on global economic growth and corporate earnings. The Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions will also be a key focus, as central banks around the world navigate inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made based on individual financial circumstances and risk tolerance. Investing in the stock market involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. The authors are not liable for any losses incurred as a result of relying on this information.
References
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