Why did the stock market crash on April 21, 2025?

The drop was driven by Trump’s public attacks on Fed Chair Powell, renewed tariff threats, weak tech earnings, and geopolitical tension with China.

Are markets recovering on April 22, 2025?

Yes, markets are showing small gains with SPY up slightly and futures pointing green, but the overall environment remains unstable.

What’s affecting Tesla stock this week?

Tesla shares dropped 6.8% after a price target cut from Barclays. Their Q1 earnings report later today could trigger more movement depending on results.

How are tariffs influencing investor sentiment?

Trump’s proposed tariffs and trade policy changes are adding uncertainty. Potential impacts on shipping, e-commerce, and global relations are weighing on market sentiment.

Markets Try to Regain Their Footing After Getting Punched in the Face

Rebellionaire Staff
Apr 22
2 min read

Serious man in front of screens showing stock market declines, with bold red numbers: Dow Jones -971.82. Office setting, tense mood.

Monday was ugly. There’s no dressing that up. Dow dropped almost 1,000 points. S&P down 2.4%. Nasdaq off 2.6%. That’s not “volatility.” That’s a beatdown.

Alphabet tanked. Tesla’s now down 40% on the year. And the dollar? Lowest in three years. Meanwhile, gold hit a new record high. When investors start hoarding shiny metal, it’s never a sign of confidence.

Today though—April 22—markets are showing a little life. SPY is back above $518, up from yesterday’s close at $513.88. Nothing dramatic, but in this environment? Not losing is a win.

What’s Actually Moving Things?

A few threads are pulling at the market right now, and none of them are particularly comforting.

1. Trump vs. Powell.

Trump wants rate cuts and he wants them yesterday. He’s also threatening to boot Fed Chair Jerome Powell—again. That kind of noise rattles investors. People like to pretend the Fed is independent. Whether that’s true or not, markets hate the idea of that independence going up in flames mid-cycle.

2. Tariff Theater.

Trump’s also teasing new tariffs and talking about ending the de minimis exemption. If you haven’t been following: this could slam e-commerce, jack up shipping costs, and potentially gut the airfreight industry. Some estimates peg the hit at $22 billion.

And China? Rumors they’re dumping U.S. stocks and dollars are making the rounds. Maybe it’s true. Maybe it’s not. Either way, it’s putting pressure on the narrative. And in this game, narrative is everything.

3. Earnings Season Is Here.

Tesla reports today. So do Lockheed, Verizon, PepsiCo, and others. After Tesla’s 6.8% slide yesterday—thanks to a price target cut—there’s a lot riding on this call. If they miss or say anything remotely vague about Robotaxi timelines, expect more pain.

4. Gold and Oil Say It All.

Gold pushing $3,450. Brent crude climbing too. When safe-haven assets are on the move, it’s a sign: the market doesn’t trust what it’s seeing.

Notable from Monday

UnitedHealth is still bleeding after slashing its forecast last week. Down 22%, and dragging the Dow with it.
Netflix was one of the rare bright spots, up 2% on earnings. But one strong report isn’t enough to offset a tech-wide gut punch.

Where This Could Go

If you're hoping for a rebound? You’re not alone. Futures this morning were green. But that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods. Bargain hunters might be nibbling. Or it might just be the calm before another headline sends everything spinning.

It’s one of those weeks where everything matters—earnings, tariffs, Fed whispers, international posturing. And no one really knows what comes next.

Just don’t confuse a dead-cat bounce with a recovery.