Consumer companies rose amid hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts.
The consumer-confidence index sank 7.9 points to 86 in April, the lowest level since the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Conference Board said.
"The disruption to global trade has weighed heavily on investor sentiment, as well as consumer and business confidence," said Bret Kenwell, U.S. investment analyst at trading firm eToro.
"So far, the global trade war has mostly weighed on soft data, like confidence and sentiment readings. However, there's a worry that it will eventually hit the hard data, impacting retail sales, inflation, and the labor market."
Brinker International shares slid despite another quarter of robust sales growth at its Chili's Grill & Bar casual-dining chain.
Investors focused on Brinker's warning about tariffs driving up costs and struggles with its Maggiano's Italian chain.
Coffee-shop chain Starbucks said new technology is set to shorten wait times.
Soda maker Coca-Cola said it can manage the effects of tariffs, but that lower sales to Hispanic consumers dented its sales in the U.S. and other markets including Mexico.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 29, 2025 17:06 ET (21:06 GMT)
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