This week, financial markets faced a downturn due to economic instability, exacerbated by federal budget cuts from Elon Musk's DOGE group and the looming threat of tariffs, which have raised concerns about job market health and rising consumer costs. U.S. consumer sentiment dropped to its lowest level in over two years, with the University of Michigan's index falling to 57.9, contrary to economists' expectations of stability. The decline in sentiment is linked to uncertainty over economic policies, with the S&P 500 entering correction territory, highlighting the challenges for consumers and investors.