Key Takeaways The S&P 500 is off to its worst start for a presidential term since 2009, when Barack Obama entered the White House in the midst of the global financial crisis.Traditionally defensive sectors have outperformed since Trump's inauguration amid growing concern that tariffs could usher in a period of stagflation.

The S&P 500 fell 1.4% on Thursday, marking its lowest point of the year and sliding into a market correction, as it is now down 10.1% from the all-time high it reached less than a month ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also hit a year-to-date low, closing down 537 points.

Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world Donald Trump is escalating his global trade war,