Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2025-04-26 08:06Market Performance - The U.S. stock market has experienced significant declines, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 7.76%, the S&P 500 down 7.86%, and the Nasdaq Composite down 11.45% from January 20 to April 25, marking one of the worst starts for a U.S. president in the 21st century [6][8]. - The ICE U.S. Dollar Index has dropped nearly 9%, indicating a historically poor performance for the dollar in the first 100 days of a presidency [9][10]. Consumer Confidence and Economic Outlook - The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index has fallen to its lowest level since August 2022, down nearly 30% from its peak in December 2022 [5][14]. - Economic uncertainty is prevalent, with reports indicating a significant increase in negative sentiment among U.S. businesses, reaching the worst levels since the 2008 financial crisis [14]. Investment Trends - European pension funds are reassessing their investments in the U.S. market, with some institutions pausing investments due to the uncertainty created by U.S. trade policies [18][19]. - Notable shifts in investment strategies include a reduction in U.S. stock holdings by Finnish pension funds and a fundamental reassessment of U.S. assets by Danish pension funds [19]. Gold and Cryptocurrency Market - Spot gold prices surged to $3,500 per ounce, driven by the depreciation of the dollar and the loss of safe-haven status for U.S. Treasuries [11]. - Bitcoin prices briefly surpassed $95,000, reflecting a resurgence in the cryptocurrency market [37][39].