Wall Street Plummets as Investors React to Tariffs and Fed Criticism

NEW YORK, NY — Wall Street began the trading week on a negative note as investors weighed the implications of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and his recent critique of the Federal Reserve. On Monday, the tech-heavy Nasdaq index fell by 2.55 percent, leading the major indexes in losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 2.48 percent, while the S&P 500 dropped by 2.36 percent.

Ten companies reported significant losses amid the broader market decline. This report highlights the ten worst-performing stocks on Monday, which must have a market capitalization of at least $2 billion and a minimum trading volume of $5 million.

Shares of OKLO fell by 7.23 percent, closing at $20.39 per share. The dip followed news that the Department of Energy is planning to cut its budget for clean energy projects by $10 billion. This budget reduction raised concerns among investors about reduced government contracts and potential job losses within the clean energy sector, even though OKLO is recognized for its zero carbon emissions.

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has prompted fears that diminished investment in clean energy could hinder ongoing projects. Despite the downturn, OKLO recently signed a deal with RPower to develop a phased energy model aimed at data centers. The deal involves using RPower’s natural gas generators while transitioning to clean energy from OKLO’s Aurora powerhouses.

Vertiv Holdings, another significant player in the market, saw its shares decline by 7.70 percent to close at $67.57. This decrease came as investors repositioned their portfolios ahead of the company’s first-quarter earnings report set to be released on April 23. Investors are particularly focused on whether the company will meet or exceed earnings expectations amid ongoing market volatility.

Vertiv, which provides vital infrastructure for data centers and communication networks, reported a 36.8 percent decrease in net income for the fourth quarter of 2024, totaling $147 million compared to $232.6 million from the previous year. In contrast, net sales for the same period increased by 25.78 percent to $2.3 billion.

This trend of declining stock prices reflects broader uncertainties in the market, as investors grapple with both regulatory changes and shifting economic forecasts.