Wall Street Rally: Stock Market Posts 9-Day Winning Streak, Recovers April’s Trade War Losses- Wall Street closed out the week with a strong finish on Friday, extending its rally to a ninth straight day—the longest winning streak for the stock market since 2004. This surge helped the market reclaim all of the losses it had suffered earlier in April, when President Donald Trump announced a sharp escalation in the U.S.-China trade war. Driven by a better-than-expected jobs report and fresh hopes for a de-escalation in trade tensions, major indexes posted healthy gains across the board. The S&P 500 jumped 1.5% to finish at 5,686.67, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 564.47 points or 1.4% to close at 41,317.43, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.5% to end at 17,977.73. What pushed Wall Street into its longest rally in over a decade? This recent Wall Street rally wasn’t just about numbers. The mood shifted on two key fronts: the job market and the trade war. A new report showed that U.S. employers added 177,000 jobs in April, a slowdown from March, but still stronger than economists had expected. Though the latest figures don’t yet reflect the full impact of the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs, it gave investors enough confidence to push markets higher. Nearly 90% of the stocks in the S&P 500 advanced, and every sector posted gains. Technology stocks led the charge, with Microsoft up 2.3%, Nvidia climbing 2.5%, while Apple slipped 3.7% after estimating that new tariffs could cost the company $900 million. Financial companies also had a strong showing. JPMorgan Chase rose 2.3%, and Visa ended 1.5% higher. The gains across sectors indicate broad investor confidence, despite the looming tariff-related uncertainties. How much ground has the stock market recovered? The S&P 500 had tumbled 9.1% during the first week of April, right after Trump’s major tariff announcement shook investor sentiment. But since then, the market has been slowly climbing back. The current rally has wiped out all of those April losses, though the index remains down 3.3% for the year, and still 7.4% below its record high from February. Chris Zaccarelli, Chief Investment Officer at Northlight Asset Management, noted that unless the administration takes a new approach when the 90-day tariff pause ends in July, markets could once again see volatility similar to April’s steep selloff. Companies have had a tough time planning ahead. Many have started withdrawing their financial forecasts as they brace for uncertainty in pricing, supply chains, and consumer demand. The U.S. economy shrank by 0.3% in Q1, largely due to businesses stockpiling goods before the tariffs hit. What role is China playing in this market recovery? China remains at the center of the trade tension narrative, with tariffs between the two nations still in place—some as high as 145%. However, hopes for a breakthrough remain. According to reports, Beijing is currently reviewing overtures from the U.S., possibly signaling a shift that could ease the standoff. The market’s optimism stems from speculation that Trump may roll back some tariffs as part of trade deal negotiations, especially if the economic pressure builds. A rollback could provide relief to both consumers and businesses grappling with higher import prices. Are companies still feeling the heat despite the market surge? Yes, not all companies are riding high on the rally. Block Inc., the fintech firm behind Cash App, saw its shares plunge 20.4% after it reported a sharp drop in first-quarter profit, citing weaker consumer spending on travel and discretionary items. Even the energy sector, while benefiting from broad market gains, faced challenges. Exxon Mobil edged up 0.4%, while Chevron rose 1.6%, despite both posting their lowest Q1 profits in years. The problem? Falling crude oil prices, which are down about 17% this year, with U.S. crude slipping below $60 per barrel—a level where many producers struggle to stay profitable. Are rising Treasury yields a concern? The bond market also showed signs of movement, with the 10-year Treasury yield rising to 4.31% from 4.22% a day earlier. Higher yields can be a sign of growing confidence in the economy, but they also raise borrowing costs for businesses and consumers, which can slow growth if they climb too quickly.This nine-day Wall Street winning streak has given investors something to cheer about. But behind the numbers, the uncertainty around tariffs, especially with the July deadline looming, continues to cast a shadow. If trade talks with China and other nations move in a positive direction, and if the Federal Reserve stays open to rate cuts, the market could keep gaining ground. For now, investors remain cautiously optimistic—but all eyes are on what happens next in the trade war.FAQs: Q1. What sparked the 9-day Wall Street rally? Stronger-than-expected job growth and easing U.S.-China trade fears. Q2. How are tariffs impacting Apple and other stocks? Tariffs could cost Apple $900 million, dragging its shares down.