Global Stock Markets Plunge Amid Fears of U.S. Economic Slowdown

Global stock markets experienced a significant sell-off on Monday, August 5, 2024, as fears mounted that the U.S. economy is slowing down too quickly. The Japanese Nikkei 225 index plummeted by a record 12%, marking its largest single-day decline ever. In the U.S., the S&P 500 fell approximately 3.7% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 4.7% in early trading.The sell-off extended to other regions as well. In Europe, the Pan-European Stoxx index decreased by around 3%. Asian markets also slumped, with Taiwan’s main index down 6.7% and South Korea’s Kospi falling over 4%.The main drivers behind the global market rout were fears of a significant slowdown in the U.S. economy, heightened by weak jobs data released on Friday. Concerns that the Federal Reserve may need to lower interest rates to combat the economic slowdown also contributed to the sell-off. The Bank of Japan’s recent interest rate hike, which strengthened the yen against the U.S. dollar and reduced the appeal of Japanese stocks reliant on exports, further exacerbated the situation. Disappointing earnings reports and growing skepticism regarding the hype around artificial intelligence in the tech sector added to the market’s woes.The market turmoil led to speculation that the Fed may need to cut interest rates more aggressively than previously expected, with Goldman Sachs now anticipating rate cuts at the next three meetings.Shares of AI investor darling Nvidia plummeted more than 12% in premarket trading, while other large chip stocks, including Brooadcom, Micron and Super Micro Computer, also fell sharply. Apple was down more than 7% following news that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway had further reduced its stake in the iPhone maker in the second quarter.The VIX, a measure of expected market volatility sometimes referred to as the “fear index,” jumped above 50 for the first time since March 2020. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 3.72%, its lowest level in more than a year, as expectations grow that the Federal Reserve will have to cut rates aggressively in response to recent data that indicate the economy is weakening more than previously thought.Traders are now pricing in a 99% likelihood that the Fed will cut its benchmark rate by half a percentage point at its September policy meeting, up from 11% a week ago. Amid the risk-off moves on Monday, the price of bitcoin dipped below $50,000 for the first time since February.As the global markets reel from the shockwaves of the U.S. economic slowdown, investors and policymakers alike brace for the uncertain road ahead. The fate of the world economy now hangs in the balance, as the ripple effects of America’s economic woes threaten to engulf even the most resilient of markets.