Credit card companies prepare for economic downturn; rising delinquencies prompt tighter lending despite continued consumer spending.

In Short

US credit card companies are preparing for a possible economic downturn by tightening lending and increasing reserves, even as consumer spending remains high.

While the wealthy continue to spend, access to credit is diminishing for lower-income individuals, and caution is growing among banks.

Credit card companies in the US are preparing for a potential economic downturn despite current consumer spending levels. Businesses are increasing reserves and tightening lending as delinquencies rise to pre-pandemic levels.

JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup have augmented their rainy day funds to mitigate expected losses. Retail card issuer Synchrony is applying stricter lending criteria, while U.S. Bancorp is targeting wealthier customers to reduce risk.

Although large lenders are still reporting profits, the effects of Trump’s trade war have yet to reflect in financial results. Recent data shows that Americans are spending and borrowing at a faster pace compared to last year.

Travel and entertainment

However, there are warning signs as consumers begin to cut back on nonessential expenditures such as travel and entertainment. The trend of cardholders making only minimum payments is above pre-pandemic levels.

Despite consumers showing confidence in spending in early April, banks remain cautious. They are redirecting their marketing strategies towards affluent households, recognising that the wealthiest individuals account for a significant proportion of total spending.

Conversely, access to credit is tightening for lower-income individuals, with Synchrony reporting declines in active accounts and purchase volumes. American Express, meanwhile, continues to perform well among high-income clients, with strong consumer spending growth reported.

Unemployment rates among white-collar workers remain low, offering some stability in credit card portfolios for certain issuers.

U.S. shares rebound over 2.5% amid tariff optimism, despite economic warnings and mixed global market performance.

In Short

U.S. shares rebounded significantly due to optimism over tariff negotiations, with major indexes rising over 2.5%. However, companies continue to face challenges from tariffs and uncertainty in the market, leading to mixed results overseas.

U.S. shares saw a significant rebound on Tuesday, with major indexes increasing by over 2.5%.

This recovery was influenced by optimism regarding tariff negotiations, as noted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who expressed confidence in a potential de-escalation of the trade war with China.

Despite this positive sentiment, companies are still grappling with the effects of the Trump administration’s tariffs.

Defense contractor RTX announced an anticipated $850 million financial impact, and Kimberly-Clark cited a “global geopolitical landscape” for a lowered profit outlook.

Economic forecasts

The International Monetary Fund has revised its economic forecasts for the U.S. and globally, highlighting tariffs as a factor in slower growth.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon indicated that high levels of uncertainty are hindering corporate decisions and impacting asset prices, and the Institute of International Finance warned of a probable U.S. recession later this year.

Gold prices have fluctuated, retreating after reaching a record high on Tuesday, reinforcing its status in uncertain markets.

Tesla’s quarterly earnings did not meet estimates, but the company’s share price remained stable.

Concerns about President Trump’s trade policies and his remarks regarding Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell contributed to market volatility earlier in the week.

In trading results, the Dow Jones increased by 1,017 points or 2.7%, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 both rose by 2.7% and 2.5%, respectively.

Treasury yields decreased slightly, and Bitcoin’s value climbed past $91,000.

Dow on track for worst April since 1932 amid trade uncertainty and investor ‘no confidence’ signals, as losses deepen.

In Short

The Dow Jones fell almost 1,000 points, heading for its worst April since 1932, with investors worried about trade restrictions and the future of the Federal Reserve Chairman.

Amidst declining stock confidence, traditional safe assets like bonds are under pressure, while gold prices have soared as investors seek safety.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 1,000 points on Monday, heading towards its worst April since 1932. The S&P 500 has recorded its worst performance for any president at this stage since 1928.

Investors are concerned about trade restrictions and the potential removal of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell by President Trump, leading to fears of further losses. Many doubt that the administration’s trade negotiations will provide timely relief.

Traditional safe assets like government bonds and the U.S. dollar are also under pressure, limiting safe investment options during this instability. Chief investment officer Scott Ladner noted that this reflects a widespread “no confidence” sentiment among investors.

Tax cuts and deregulation

Following Trump’s election, stock indexes initially rose due to optimism around tax cuts and deregulation. However, the introduction of aggressive tariffs sparked significant market declines. Although there was some retraction of tariff plans, markets have not stabilised.

Typically, bond prices should increase during stock declines, but yields on 10-year U.S. Treasurys have risen, indicating a sell-off in government bonds.

The U.S. dollar has weakened due to economic concerns and Trump’s tensions with the Fed, hitting a three-year low. In contrast, gold prices have surged to all-time highs as investors seek safer assets.

Wall Street sentiment is declining, with bearish expectations remaining high for eight consecutive weeks, marking a record for prolonged pessimism among individual investors.