US Markets Pause for Independence Day as Global Tensions Loom

US equity markets remain shuttered for Independence Day celebrations, marking a 249-year tradition since the nation's founding. The closure halts trading across all major indices—Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq Composite, and S&P 500—amid a year of remarkable resilience. These benchmarks have defied geopolitical turbulence, with YTD gains of 5.75%, 6.85%, and 7% respectively.

Market participants now brace for the July 9 expiration of President Trump's 90-day tariff pause, a temporary reprieve from April's 'Liberation Day' import duties that initially rattled global markets. The interim period saw emerging economies negotiate reduced duties with Washington, stabilizing trade flows. This upcoming deadline presents a critical inflection point for risk assets worldwide.