US markets surge alongside Apple shares as investors evaluate tariff exemptions

[UNITED STATES] US markets closed higher on April 14, with Apple handing the S&P 500 its greatest lift after the White House spared smartphones and computers from new tariffs.

Uncertainty about potential tariffs dampened excitement, with the main indexes closing off the day's highs. Investors remain concerned about how corporations will handle supply chains as tariffs continue to fluctuate. The exemptions were announced by the United States on April 11, but President Donald Trump stated on April 13 that he will announce the tax rate on imported semiconductors within the next week.

The exemption of consumer electronics from tariffs comes as a relief to major tech firms, many of which rely heavily on Chinese manufacturing. Analysts note that while the move mitigates short-term risks, the broader trade tensions could still disrupt global supply chains if further tariffs target other sectors. "This is a temporary reprieve, not a resolution," said Linda Su, a senior strategist at Barclays. "The market is still pricing in volatility as long as the trade policy remains unpredictable."

Global technology shares jumped on the news, particularly for companies that rely on Chinese imports. Apple's shares increased 2.2%. Dell Technologies rose 4%, while HP increased 2.5%. At the same time, the semiconductor index increased only 0.3%, while shares of top chipmaker Nvidia fell 0.2% on the day.

Semiconductor stocks have been particularly sensitive to trade developments, given their reliance on global supply networks. While the exemption of finished electronics helped some tech hardware firms, chipmakers face lingering concerns over potential tariffs on raw materials and components. "The semiconductor industry is caught in the crossfire," noted Raymond James analyst Chris Caso. "Any disruption in the supply chain could lead to production delays and higher costs, which would ultimately hit margins."

Trading on April 14 was volatile, as it has been since Mr. Trump announced hefty tariffs on April 2. Investors, concerned that a global trade war may plunge the economy into a recession, have witnessed some of the market's most dramatic swings in years as the Trump tariff news changes.

“Really what we have is just continued uncertainty and inability for consumers and businesses and investors to plan much going forward or have reason to commit to long-term spending plans,” said Mr Jed Ellerbroek, a portfolio manager at Argent Capital Advisors in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 312.08 points, or 0.78 percent, to 40,524.79; the S&P 500 increased by 42.61 points, or 0.79 percent, to 5,405.97; and the Nasdaq Composite increased by 107.03 points, or 0.64 percent, to 16,831.48.

The CBOE Volatility Index, Wall Street's "fear gauge," fell to 30.89, its lowest close since April 3.

Despite the day's gains, market breadth remains a concern. While major indices climbed, the number of stocks hitting new lows on both the NYSE and Nasdaq outpaced new highs—a sign that investor confidence is still fragile. "The rally is being driven by a handful of mega-cap tech stocks," observed David Keller, chief market strategist at StockCharts.com. "Without broader participation, the sustainability of this rebound is questionable."

However, technical analysts warned that the S&P 500 is currently in a "death cross" pattern, indicating that a short-term correction could morph into a longer-term downturn. A death cross happens when the 50-day moving average falls below the 200-day moving average. According to history, the ominous-sounding signal does not always imply that stocks stand a greater risk of decline. The S&P 500 is still down around 8% this year. Markets will be closed on Good Friday, but this week is anticipated to see some significant reports from US corporations.

Companies in the United States have begun to report results for the first quarter of 2025, and with tariffs coming, business executives may be hesitant to provide much insight.

"Everybody knows the future is going to look a fair amount different than the past, and management teams are going to be really hesitant to commit to much," Mr. Ellerbroek said. Goldman Sachs shares increased 1.9% on April 14 after the bank reported a stronger first-quarter profit. This week also sees the release of quarterly results from Netflix and UnitedHealth Group. Some drugmakers gained ground when Pfizer announced that it would discontinue development of its experimental weight-loss medicine. Pfizer stock closed 1 percent higher.

The healthcare sector saw mixed reactions, with Pfizer's decision redirecting investor focus toward companies with successful weight-loss drug pipelines. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, which dominate the GLP-1 market, saw modest gains as Pfizer's exit reduced competitive pressures. "This underscores how quickly sector dynamics can shift based on regulatory and R&D developments," said Jefferies healthcare analyst Michael Yee. "Investors are rewarding clarity and penalizing uncertainty."

On the Nasdaq, 3,266 equities climbed and 1,200 fell, with advance issues outnumbering decliners by a roughly 2.72-to-1 ratio. There were 101 new lows and 43 new highs. On the NYSE, rising issues outpaced falling ones by 4.4 to 1. There were 65 new lows and 45 new highs. Volume on US exchanges was 18.2 billion shares, compared to the 18.7 billion average for the entire session for the previous 20 trading days.