MATERIALS (XLB)

The market is unequivocally saying an economic slowdown is in the cards. You simply don’t get utilities and staples as the leaders in a strong tape.

Defensive sectors offer stability during market downturns because they produce essential goods and services that remain in demand regardless of economic conditions.

Wall Street ended the week on a strong note, with major indices posting their best weekly performance in years, as traders appeared confident that the escalation in the U.S.-China trade war — which led to triple-digit tariff increases on both sides — would be resolved in the near term.

Wall Street bounced back from early losses, driven by upbeat bank earnings and cooler inflation data, while shrugging off trade war concerns.

U.S. stocks staged a broad-based rally on Monday, snapping a volatile losing streak after President Donald Trump hinted at a more diplomatic approach to tariff negotiations.

U.S. stocks surge after Trump hints at trade progress, easing fears of disruption. S&P 500 up 3%, tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 outperforms. Semiconductors lead sector rally.

The brokerage noted that the larger-than-anticipated tariffs could lead to demand destruction for steel companies but acknowledged that negotiations and potential rollbacks remain possible.

While U.S. basketball fans have been in the midst of March Madness, there has been no shortage of activity in global markets.

The brokerage described Steel Dynamics as a "best-in-class" domestic steel producer with a product mix that is well-aligned with the new trade measures.

A standard business cycle in the US economy takes around four years to play out, from weakness to strength to weakness.