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Do you wear a suit? Maybe it’s time to buy one! There are two things that rule the stock market, greed and fear; both were at play today! U.S. stocks nosedived Thursday in one of the market’s most dramatic downturns in recent memory, as President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariff announcements reignited fears of a full-blown global trade war.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average collapsed by 1,679.39 points, or nearly 4%, in a single session. The S&P 500 followed suit with a 4.84% slide, and the Nasdaq Composite plunged nearly 6%.

Some will think the end is near, others will gloat over their winnings, but don’t worry, greedy men will profit even in a down market, which is good if they are running your portfolio.

With that being said, the damage wasn’t spread evenly: consumer discretionary, energy, and technology sectors bore the brunt of the blow. Meanwhile, consumer staples, the kind of companies people rely on in good times and bad, managed modest gains today!  

President Trump's latest tariff strategy is the focal point of this financial crisis. Rolled out in dramatic fashion at the White House Rose Garden, Trump’s plan introduces reciprocal tariffs aimed squarely at U.S. trading partners, many of whom had been bracing for confrontation. The president didn't stop there; he’s also setting a minimum 10% tariff across the board, with special attention to the automotive industry, which will soon face a punishing 25% tariff on imported vehicles and parts.

Still, if there’s one constant in the world of Wall Street, it’s this: chaos for most can be opportunity for a few. While everyday investors watched portfolios shrinking and retirement accounts take a hit, the financial savvy were already recalibrating their strategies and counting their money as they always do.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Trump maintained his usual optimism, declaring, “The markets are going to boom. The stock is going to boom; the country is going to boom.” And to be fair, while investors scrambled, some on the inside likely saw the writing on the wall and shorted the right stocks or doubled down on defensive sectors before the stock market bloodbath began.

Meanwhile, big automakers are expected to pass on the new costs to consumers without skipping a beat. “Given strong pricing power, automakers will be able to pass on most of the tariffs,” JPMorgan said in a note. Translation: The companies will be just fine.

We expect the tariffs to quickly ripple through the economy. According to Ryan Young of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, “Assuming Trump goes through with the auto and reciprocal tariffs in early April, prices should go up right away for many goods.” In other words, inflation data could spike as soon as May, when April’s numbers are released.

And that puts the Federal Reserve in a tight spot. With inflation climbing due to artificial price hikes, not organic economic growth, the central bank’s goal of a “soft landing” becomes all the harder to achieve.

For most Americans, this translates into increased prices at the gas, on the lot, and at the checkout aisle. For hedge fund managers and algorithm jockeys, it’s just another twist in the game.

Final Word: If men in suits are managing your retirement fund, simply relax and let greed run the show! You’ll be fine and don’t panic!  Profiteers are looking for panicking amateurs.