US stock markets close week with gains

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - The New York Stock Exchange ended the week on a high note after the US Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump's tariffs violated the law.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.47%, or 230.81 points, to close at 49,625.97.

The Nasdaq rose by 0.9%, or 203.34 points, to 22,886.07, while the S&P 500 went up 0.69%, or 47.62 points, to 6,909.51.

The Volatility Index (VIX), also known as the "fear index," fell by 5.68% to 19.08 points.

The court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not grant the president the authority to impose tariffs.

Analysts noted that the ruling could provide relief for companies burdened by tariffs and alleviate inflation concerns affecting the US economy.

Following the court's ruling, Trump said at a press conference that the decision was “deeply disappointing.”

Pointing out that there are alternative methods to implement tariffs, Trump announced that he would sign a decision to impose a 10% global tariff in addition to the tariffs already in place under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

While macroeconomic data is also being monitored by investors, the US economy grew by 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, falling short of expectations.

The country's economic growth rate, which slowed sharply in the last quarter of 2025, was negatively affected by the 43-day government shutdown.

The US economy showed a growth performance of 2.2% for 2025 as a whole.

The US manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) also fell below expectations in February, reaching 51.2.