Sports

Wall Street takes a breath ahead of another week full of potential swings

Published

8 months ago

April 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Wall Street takes a breath ahead of another week full of potential swings

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed finish on Monday, ahead of potential flashpoints this week that could bring more sharp swings for financial markets.

The S&P 500 inched up by 0.1% to extend its winning streak to a fifth day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 114 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1%.

The relative lull in trading offered a respite from the sharp, historic swings that have rocked markets for weeks, as hopes rose and fell that President Donald Trump may back down on his trade war. Many investors believe Trump’s tariffs could cause a recession if left unaltered. Coming into Monday, the S&P 500 had roughly halved its drop that had taken it nearly 20% below its record set earlier this year.

Mixed trading for some influential tech stocks ahead of their earnings reports this week pulled the S&P 500 back and forth between modest gains and losses for much of Monday.

Amazon fell 0.7%, Microsoft dipped 0.2%, Meta Platforms added 0.4% and Apple rose 0.4%. All are on the schedule to report their latest result this week, and they’re some of Wall Street’s most influential companies because they’ve grown to become some of the biggest in terms of size, by far. That gives their movements extra weight on the S&P 500 and other indexes.

Outside of Big Tech, executives from Caterpillar, Exxon Mobil and McDonald’s may also offer clues this week about how they’re seeing economic conditions play out. Several companies across industries have already slashed their estimates for upcoming profit or pulled their forecasts entirely because of uncertainty about what will happen with Trump’s tariffs.

“We heard more plans to mitigate tariff impacts than in prior months and than during 2018” from U.S. companies, including pre-ordering, shifting production and increasing prices for their own products, according to Bank of America strategist Savita Subramanian. But she also said in a report that she’s seeing “some indications of a pause: no hiring/no firing, no new projects/no cancellations etc.”

A fear is that Trump’s on-again-off-again tariffs may be pushing households and businesses to alter their spending and freeze plans for long-term investment because of how quickly conditions can change, seemingly by the hour.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 3.54 points to 5,528.75. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 114.09 to 40,227.59, and the Nasdaq composite edged down by 16.81 to 17,366.13.

So far, economic reports have mostly seemed to show the U.S. economy is still growing, though at a weaker pace. On Wednesday, economists expect a report to say U.S. economic growth slowed to a 0.8% annual rate in the first three months of this year, down from a 2.4% pace at the end of last year.

But most reports Wall Street has received so far have focused on data from before Trump’s “Liberation Day” on April 2, when he announced tariffs that could affect imports from countries worldwide. That could raise the stakes for upcoming reports on the U.S. job market, including Friday’s, which will show how many workers employers hired during all of April.

Economists expect it to show a slowdown in hiring down to 125,000 from 228,000 in March.

The most jarring economic data recently have come from surveys showing U.S. consumers are getting much more pessimistic about the economy’s future because of tariffs. The Conference Board’s latest reading on consumer confidence will arrive on Tuesday.

In the bond market, Treasury yields fell some more. They’ve largely been sinking since an unsettling, unusual spurt higher in yields earlier this month rattled both Wall Street and the U.S. government. That rise had suggested investors worldwide may have been losing faith in the U.S. bond market’s reputation as a safe place to park cash.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.21% from 4.29% late Friday. It’s been pulling back recently as weaker-than-expected reports on the economy bolster expectations among investors that the Federal Reserve will deliver cuts to interest rates later this year. Such cuts could juice the economy by making it easier for households and companies to borrow and spend.

In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed amid modest moves across much of Europe and Asia. The CAC 40 in Paris rose 0.5%, but stocks slipped 0.2% in Shanghai.

AP Writers Jiang Junzhe and Matt Ott contributed.

Originally Published: April 28, 2025 at 7:46 AM EDT

Sports

UT Arlington Student-Athletes Excel in Classroom in 2025 Fall Semester

Published

4 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

ARLINGTON, Texas – As UT Arlington student-athletes achieved championship success in competition, the foundation was laid in the classroom.

As a collective, UT Arlington student-athletes combined for a 3.125 grade point average in the Fall 2025 semester while holding a 3.123 overall department GPA. Of the 11 athletics units, all 11 teams earned at least a 2.9 GPA during Fall 2025, led by women’s golf with a 3.438 GPA, just ahead of baseball with a 3.281 GPA.

Those teams were followed by women’s basketball (3.229), volleyball (3.190), men’s tennis (3.116), women’s track & field (3.070), men’s basketball and women’s tennis (3.054), men’s golf (3.013), softball (2.967) and men’s track & field (2.964).

This is the 24th semester in a row that the athletic department held a cumulative department GPA above a 3.0. Overall, 10 of the 11 programs hold a 3.0 GPA or better with all 11 holding a 2.95 GPA or better.

2025 Fall Team Grade Point Averages

Program	Fall GPA	Overall GPA
Women’s Basketball	3.229	3.271
Women’s Golf	3.438	3.261
Baseball	3.281	3.251
Volleyball	3.190	3.216
Men’s Golf	3.013	3.133
Softball	2.967	3.079
Men’s Tennis	3.116	3.074
Women’s Tennis	3.054	3.054
Women’s Track & Field	3.070	3.031
Men’s Basketball	3.054	3.022
Men’s Track & Field	2.964	2.959
Department Total	3.125	3.123

— #BuckEm —

FOLLOW THE MAVS SOCIALLY
For up-to-date news, photos and videos, follow UTA Athletics online at UTAMavs.com or via several social media accounts on X @UTAMavs, Instagram @UTAMavs and Facebook /UTAMavs.

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Volleyball’s Ryan Windisch Promoted to Associate Head Coach

Published

6 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

TUCSON, Ariz. – Ryan Windisch has been promoted to Associate Head Coach of Arizona Volleyball after three years on staff as an assistant coach, head coach Charita Stubbs announced on Thursday.

“I am thrilled to announce Ryan’s promotion to Associate Head Coach,” Stubbs said. “He has been on my staff since the beginning and is extremely knowledgeable about the game of volleyball which has helped our program grow over the past three years. I am thankful to have him on staff and look forward to seeing him continue to grow with our program.”

Windisch, who coached the defensive specialists and setters in the 2025 season, helped the team reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018 and finish sixth place in the Big 12. In 2025, he helped the defense total 1,632 digs and average 14.57 digs per set. Windisch also helped Arizona’s setter rank second in the Big 12 with 10.63 assists per set during the 2025 season.

In Windisch’s second year on staff, the Wildcats won the 2024 NIVC Championship with a 24-9 overall record. Windisch helped the defense record 1,849 digs which ranked 10th in program history for digs in a single season. During his three years on staff, Windisch has coached AVCA All-American Jordan Wilson and six All-Conference performers.

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Learning Fast, Leading Early: Haneline’s Front Row Growth – University of South Carolina

Published

23 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Earning it, not expecting it

Opportunity, however, was never confused with entitlement.

Haneline arrived on campus knowing nothing would be handed to her. Preseason practices were six-hour days, constant competition and physical and mental fatigue that tests even veteran players.

“I told myself it was okay if I didn’t play,” she said. “But my mindset was that I was going to do everything I possibly could to earn it.”

That meant winning positional battles, taking care of her body, eating right, lifting, getting sleep and showing up every day with purpose. Slowly, confidence replaced doubt.

“I think it was early in non-conference play when I realized, ‘Okay, I can do this,’” she said. “Once we started seeing how the lineup was shaping up, I felt it.”

A big reason for that confidence stood right next to her.

Learning from the best

As a freshman middle blocker, Haneline spent countless hours alongside senior standout Ady O’Grady, soaking in advice and modeling her approach.

“I stuck by her side a lot,” Haneline said. “I wanted to learn everything I could from her. Watching her, asking questions, trying to be like her.”

The mentorship left a lasting imprint.

“I told my coaches I want to be the next Ady,” she said. “I want freshmen coming in to look up to me the way I looked up to her.”

That leadership mindset has already shown itself, especially during moments when USC Upstate leaned heavily on its freshman class.

A freshman trio making history

There were nights this season when the Spartans featured three freshmen across the front row, with another freshman anchoring the back line at libero.

“One game, we were all up there, and I said in the huddle, ‘Okay, freshmen, we got this,’” Haneline said, laughing. “We’d say little things to each other on the net, just funny freshman comments.”

That trust paid off. USC Upstate finished 14-14 and saw three freshmen make program history. Outside hitter Summer Kohler earned Second Team All-Big South honors. Haneline and libero Sophia Overholt both collected Honorable Mention All-Big South nods. All three landed on the league’s All-Freshman Team, the most in a single season in program history.

For Haneline, the numbers backed up the accolades. She appeared in all 27 matches and 105 sets, ranking third on the team with 260 kills and second with a .245 hitting efficiency. She added 80 total blocks, including 10 solo stops, and recorded double-digit kills in 11 matches.

Her freshman résumé continues a trend of excellence that began long before she arrived in Spartanburg.

Built before she arrived

At Crest High School in Shelby, Haneline helped the Chargers to 63 wins and four playoff appearances. Over her prep career, she totaled 1,259 kills, 554 digs, 214 blocks and 167 service aces while posting a .306 hitting percentage. She was a three-time All-Conference selection, a two-time All-Region honoree and an AVCA Watchlist athlete.

Club volleyball further sharpened her edge, including a third-place finish in the Premier Division at AAU Nationals.

Still, college volleyball required growth. Injuries forced Haneline to spend time at right side, giving her a new perspective on efficiency and shot selection.

“It helped me realize the difference between being a middle and being on the pin,” she said. “As a middle, it’s quick and done. On the right side, you’re not getting a kill every swing. You have to be smart.”

That adaptability is shaping her focus heading into spring and beyond. Blocking. Efficiency. Finding every possible way to help the team.

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First Road Trip of 2026

Published

37 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt track and field continues its indoor season at Kentucky’s Rod McCravy Memorial Track & Field Meet at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

The last time out
• Before the winter break, the Vandy hosted the Winter Commodore Challenge where student-athletes recorded 10 marks ranking in the program’s all-time top 10
• In her first-ever collegiate meet, Cali Bryant won the high jump, clearing 1.74 meters. The mark is tied for sixth in Vanderbilt history
• In the 60-meter hurdles final, all three Commodores, Devyn Parham, Santana Spearman and Taylor McKinnon, registered personal-best marks and improved their standings in the Vandy record books
• The Dores also found success in the triple jump as all three student-athletes, Pryncess Jackson, Anaya Webster and Anya Carey, PRed with marks ranking top 10 in school history

Dores in the rankings
• Seven Commodores are currently ranked top 25 in the NCAA in their respective events
• All seven student-athletes are also top 10 in the SEC
• Parham, Spearman and McKinnon are No. 5, 6 and 8, respectively, in the NCAA in the 60-meter hurdles
• Bryant’s 1.74-meter high jump mark is ranked fourth in the conference

Record watch
• Active student-athletes hold school records in two individual events and own 29 marks ranking in the program’s all-time top 10
• At the 2025 SEC Indoor Championships, the distance medley relay team of Audrey Allman, Allyria McBride, Ellie Wolski and Julia Rosenberg broke the school record and scored in the event at the conference championship for the second consecutive year
• McBride is ranked second in program history in the 300 and 600 meters, while Bria Bennis and Marta Sivina are the No. 2-ranked Dores in their respective events, the 5,000 meters and pentathlon

Keeping up with the Commodores
Action at the Rod McCravy Memorial Track & Field Meet will get underway Friday at 11 a.m. CT. Live results will be available online.

Fans can follow Vanderbilt track and field on Facebook, Instagram and X at @VandyXCTrack.

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Bears Sign Transfer Rania Chimonides

Published

38 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Rania Chimonides is one of three newcomers joining Cal volleyball in the spring.

VB1/8/2026 1:03 PM | By: Cal Athletics

Middle Blocker From UNC Wilmington Played On Cyprus’ National Team

The California volleyball team announced the addition of 6-foot-3 middle blocker transfer Rania Chimonides to its 2026 squad on Thursday. Chimonides, a native of Nicosia, Cyprus, who spent her freshman season at UNC Wilmington, posted six blocks in the Seahawks’ 2025 opener against Lindenwood. She was a member of Cyprus’ national team in 2025 after three seasons on the national U18 squad, competing in the 2024 European Championship tournament.

Chimonides helped her squad to a silver medal at the 2025 Olympics of European Small States, two years after she was named Best Blocker at the 2023 European Nations U18 tournament. Prior to joining UNC Wilmington, she played club ball for Anorthosis Famagusta.

“We are excited to welcome Rania to our team,” head coach Jen Malcom said. “She brings great international experience where she is one of the top blockers. I am looking forward to seeing Rania and (assistant coach) Alyssa (Andreno) work together and develop her skillset even more over the next three years. We were looking for a middle that had a few years of eligibility to spread out our depth and prepare for the next wave of middles to come. Rania will be a great role model and leader with the next group – she is super passionate about the game of volleyball and wants to play at the next level.”

Upon her arrival at Cal in the spring, Chimonides will join a middle blocker unit that also includes rising seniors Sawyer Thomsen and Ashleigh Woodruff. She will major in political economy at Cal.

STAY POSTED
For complete coverage of Cal volleyball, please follow the Bears on X (@CalVolleyball), Instagram (@calvolleyball), Facebook (Cal Volleyball) and TikTok (@calbearsvb).

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Track and Field Preview | Leonard Hilton Memorial

Published

54 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Meet: Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational

Location: Yoeman Fieldhouse | Houston, Texas

Watch | Stats

The competition: Houston (Host), Huston-Tillotson, Jacksonville College, Lamar, Prairie View A&M, Rice (Men), Sam Houston, St. Thomas (TX), Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Texas A&M Kingsville, Texas Southern, UTRGV

Burnt Orange in Houston: Texas newcomers Iana Ahetz-Etcheber, Caroline Peterson, Jonathan Hertwig-Odegaard, Brandon Gorski, Mia Perez, Ava Gilley, Isabel Conde de Frankenberg will all make their track and field debuts for the horns. Internationals Ahetz-Etcheber and Herwtig-Odegaard will look to follow recent success at Texas as the newest multis on campus.

Osawese Agbonkonkon, Sam Abati, Bella Coscetti, Sophia Kowalski, Grace Kowalski and Gia Kurp will return to competition for the Horns.

Returners: Texas returns six men and three women who were named to USTFCCCA First Team All-Americans. Kody Blackwood, Xavier Butler and John Rutledge are two-time First Team honorees from last season who will lead the Longhorns in their senior seasons. Kendrick Smallwood also returns as one of the top short sprinters in the NCAA. On the women’s side, the Longhorns return sprinters Carleta Bernard, Holly Okuku and Ramiah Elliott as the long All-Americans.

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