soften

Imports of foreign goods have softened and port traffic has turned down in recent months.

“What investors are most worried about is this trade war along with softening employment trends resulting in a recession.”

“ZEW sentiment data on Tuesday is expected to soften, with the focus on whether weaker current conditions dampen optimistic expectations,” Patrick Munnelly, Tickmill Group’s market strategy partner, said in a note.

—Oil prices softened as the outlines of an Israel-Hamas peace deal started to form after Israel agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.

S&P also said “Despite plans to prepay senior debt, leverage will likely remain elevated through 2026 and could rise further in a softening market environment.”