While U.S. financial markets have been volatile this year amid constant tariff threats, Wall Street just suffered its worst two-day rout in years. The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) sank 4.8% on April 3, its worst single-day drop since the COVID crash, only to plunge even deeper on April 4. In just two trading sessions, a staggering $6.6 trillion in market value vanished into thin air. And the index has now cratered more than 18% from its recent peak, firmly planting itself deep in correction territory.
This dramatic selloff was sparked by President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff bomb revealed on April 2, which sent shockwaves through global markets and rattled investor confidence. But even amid this chaos, one corner of the market is showing signs of resilience. Defense giants like Lockheed Martin (LMT) remain somewhat stable while traditional manufacturing heavyweights stumble under the weight of tariff fears. With a business model rooted in domestic production and government contracts, Lockheed appears to be largely shielded from the turbulence of international trade tensions.
