US benchmark equity indexes closed mixed on Tuesday as investors parsed fresh data on manufacturing and job openings. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.9% to 17,449.9, while the S&P 500 increased 0.4% to 5,633.1. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.03% to 41,990. The consumer discretionary sector posted the highest gains, while health care and financials were the only decliner.

US Treasury yields were lower, with the 10-year rate losing about 8 basis points to 4.16% and the two-year rate was down 3.7 basis points to 3.88%.

May West Texas Intermediate crude oil decreased 0.4% to $71.21 a barrel on Tuesday.

In economic news, the Trump administration aides drafted a proposal to impose roughly 20% tariffs on most imports to the US, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. Separately, CNBC reported, citing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, that the planned reciprocal tariffs will be effective immediately as they are announced Wednesday. The US manufacturing sector fell into contraction territory in March amid weak demand, according to the Institute for Supply Management, while S&P Global (SPGI) data showed activity stalling. "Demand and production retreated and destaffing continued, as panelists' companies responded to demand confusion," said Timothy Fiore, chair of the ISM's manufacturing business survey committee. "Prices growth accelerated due to tariffs, causing new order placement backlogs, supplier delivery slowdowns and manufacturing inventory growth." US job openings fell more than projected in February, while layoffs rose, government data showed Tuesday.

In company news, Tesla shares were up 3.6%, the top gainer on the S&P 500. Sales of new units in Spain increased 34% year over year to 1,983 vehicles in March, Reuters reported, citing data from a Spanish industry group.

GE Vernova rose 3.4%. The company said Monday it fund $50 million over five years to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for research and other initiatives.

WNS shares jumped nearly 8.3%. The technology outsourcing services firm is exploring a sale after receiving takeover interest from Capgemini, among other potential suitors, Reuters reported.

Shares of Johnson & Johnson were down 7.6%, the worst performer on the S&P 500. The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas denied a request by the company unit Red River Talc to confirm its proposed prepackaged bankruptcy plan.

Gold gained 0.04% to $3,149.1 per troy ounce, while silver was down 0.8% to $34.33 per troy ounce.

Portfolio News

Active Trading Portfolio: NOTE: We will AVOID all active short term trades until we get past tariff liberation day on April 2nd. It is impossible to gauge risk at this point on a short term basis so best to stay out of the market. Check Out the Active Trading Portfolio.
Option Trading Portfolio:
- SPY Financed Bear Put Spread: Our risk management plan has worked out a treat coming into this uncertain period - a great example of how to manage risk using options.
  
  Check Out the Option Trading portfolio.
Buy and Hold Portfolio: Our long-term buy-and-hold portfolio has just gone slightly negative for the first time this year. Not surprising given the turmoil in the stock market. However we are only down 0.2%. Not bad when you consider the fact that the S&P 500 is down almost 11% from its highs recently. We will notify Pro and Premium members via WhatsApp immediately upon making new purchases. We have identified over 14 potential stocks for investment once the current sell-off concludes, but we will delay any new acquisitions until after the April 2nd retaliatory tariffs are implemented. Check out out the Buy and Hold Portfolio.