Stock Market Today: 10-year yield under 4%; stocks slump

Market Overview - The yield on the 10-year U.S. note fell below 4% for the first time since October 2024, closing at 3.973%, which is the lowest since April 4, 2024 [2][3] - Major stock indexes declined, with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index down 0.6% to 6,629 and the Nasdaq Composite Index dropping nearly 0.5% to 22,563 [2] - The Dow Jones industrials fell 301 points or 0.7% to 45,952, experiencing significant volatility during the trading day [3] Banking Sector - Zions Bancorp reported unexpected loan losses from its subsidiary California Bank & Trust, leading to a 13.1% drop in its shares to $46.93 [3][4] - Western Alliance Bancorp is facing issues with a borrower that failed to provide collateral, resulting in a 10.8% decline in its shares to $70.32 [4] - The KBW regional bank index decreased by 6.3%, and the iShares Regional Bank ETF fell 4.9% to $47.69, continuing a downward trend since early summer [4] Trade Relations - The U.S.-China trade dispute is escalating, with President Trump acknowledging the existence of a trade war [5] - U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer accused China of attempting to control global supply chains, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed distrust towards China due to its actions regarding rare-earth metals [5][6] - China is a major supplier and processor of rare-earth minerals, which are essential for electronics and other products [6] Shanghai Composite - The Shanghai Composite index showed modest gains early Friday, having increased by 55% since October 2018 [7]