Dow Jones Slips on Manufacturing Weakness Ahead of Tariff Case
The Dow Jones Industrial Average reversed early gains after October's ISM Manufacturing Index fell to 48.7, marking an eighth consecutive month of contraction. Market sentiment soured as respondents cited tariff uncertainty disrupting orders, with one manufacturer noting 'customers are cancelling or reducing orders due to the ever-changing tariff landscape.'
While the broader economy shows resilience with 66 months of expansion, President Trump's preemptive defense of tariffs ahead of a Supreme Court challenge casts a shadow. 'Without tariffs, we'd be defenseless,' he asserted, framing Wednesday's legal battle as pivotal for U.S. trade policy.