The first quarter of 2025 was a transitional period for the financial markets, the U.S. economy, and the world at large. President Trump's inauguration in January ushered in a new era, one widely expected to mark drastic changes even compared to his first term. Just like in 2016, there appeared to be a "Trump Bump" in the stock market and many "soft" indicators such as Consumer Confidence and Small Business Optimism immediately after the president's November election win. However, unlike eight years ago, the honeymoon period did not last long.
