0. Data Date Range:

• Earliest WSJ Article Found: 2025-03-26T23:00:00.000Z
• Latest WSJ Article Found: 2025-04-17T22:00:00.000Z

1. Prominent WSJ Market Narratives (Consolidated List based on retrieved data):

Global Trade War & Tariff Impact

Fed Policy & Independence Under Pressure

US-China Tech Conflict (Chips & AI)

Trump Administration vs. Institutions/Norms

2. Narrative Cycle Mapping and Ranking (WSJ Perspective based on retrieved data):

• Narrative: Global Trade War & Tariff Impact
  • Current Stage: 3 - Primary Trend
  • WSJ Evidence: This narrative is the most pervasive across all retrieved time windows (1 day to 30 days). WSJ articles extensively cover the broad economic implications ("Trade Tensions Weigh Down Nvidia, Tech Stocks", "Powell Warns of 'Challenging Scenario' for Fed as Trade War Rages", "Economists expect slower growth and see a recession as more likely, the WSJ's quarterly survey finds. The changed consensus reflects President Trump's trade war", "Global trade in goods will fall this year, according to the WTO"). Specific company impacts are detailed (Boeing, GM, ASML, Alcoa, J&J, Abbott Labs, Startups, EQT all mention tariff concerns or impacts). Global reactions are covered (China's charm offensive/retaliation, EU/Meloni's meeting, ECB rate cut, Bank of Canada examining fallout, anxious trading partners promising to buy American). The narrative is presented as a dominant theme driving market volatility ("Dow drops 700 points", "wildest weeks in market history unfolded"), economic forecasts, corporate warnings ("ASML Warns on Tariff Uncertainty", "Heineken...Amid Tariff Concerns", "Moncler...Signals Unstable Macroeconomic Environment"), and central bank policy considerations. It's widely discussed by economists, the Fed chair, and corporate leaders within the articles.
  • Ranking: 1
• Narrative: Fed Policy & Independence Under Pressure
  • Current Stage: 2 - Momentum Builds
  • WSJ Evidence: This narrative appears consistently, driven by the primary Trade War theme. WSJ reports Powell's warnings of a "difficult trade-off" due to tariffs raising prices while weakening the economy. Trump's direct criticism ("lashed out at Fed Chair Jerome Powell and said 'termination cannot come fast enough'", "Trump has for months privately discussed firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell") and the exploration of legal/political challenges ("How a Supreme Court Ruling Could Weaken Fed Independence, Shake Markets") are prominent. The discussion is gaining traction, moving beyond niche speculation into direct presidential actions/threats and analysis of potential systemic impacts, influencing market sentiment ("Any prospect that the Fed chair could be sacked over a policy dispute would likely tank financial markets").
  • Ranking: 2
• Narrative: US-China Tech Conflict (Chips & AI)
  • Current Stage: 2 - Momentum Builds
  • WSJ Evidence: This narrative is present throughout the retrieved data, framed as a key front in the broader US-China relationship and trade war. Specific actions are reported ("U.S. Tries to Crush China's AI Ambitions With Chips Crackdown", stopping flow of Nvidia/AMD chips). The strategic importance is highlighted ("Nvidia Is Now the Biggest U.S.-China Bargaining Chip"). Company-specific impacts are noted (ASML weak orders warning on tariff volatility, Nvidia stock decline linked to trade tensions). The narrative is building momentum through specific government actions and their direct impact on major tech players, but within the analyzed WSJ articles, it's still often contextualized within the larger trade dispute rather than being the sole market driver. WSJ Opinion also questions the strength of Chinese AI ("Is Chinese AI All It's Cracked Up to Be").
  • Ranking: 3
• Narrative: Trump Administration vs. Institutions/Norms
  • Current Stage: 2 - Momentum Builds (Early Stage)
  • WSJ Evidence: Specific instances of conflict are reported, particularly in the more recent articles (last 1-5 days). These include actions against Harvard ("Trump Administration Asks IRS to Start Process to Revoke Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status", "U.S. Freezes Billions in Funding After Harvard Says It Will Fight Trump's Demands", threatening to stop international student enrollment), targeting former officials ("Former Trump Official Targeted With Government Probe Vows to Fight" - Chris Krebs), and judicial clashes over deportations ("Judge Finds Probable Cause to Hold Trump Administration in Criminal Contempt", "Trump and Judiciary in Escalating Standoff Over Wrongfully Deported Migrant"). While these actions generate headlines and indicate friction, the retrieved articles frame them more as specific political/legal battles rather than a primary market-driving narrative at this stage, though they contribute to the overall political uncertainty discussed in opinion pieces ("America Gets Trump Fatigue").
  • Ranking: 4