Dow Jones News: China Could Target Apple; Boeing Stock Sinks Despite Safety Initiative

The stock market was volatile on Friday following a rough retail sales report and an escalation in trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Sales at U.S. retailers and restaurants slumped 16.4% in April compared to March. The decline was far worse for some categories, with a 78.8% drop for clothing stores and a 60.6% drop for electronics and appliance stores. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) was down 0.4% at 12:50 p.m. EDT.

Shares of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Boeing (NYSE: BA) contributed to the Dow's decline on Friday. Apple stock sank after China reportedly threatened to retaliate against U.S. companies for a ramped-up U.S. effort to block sales of semiconductors to Huawei. Meanwhile, Boeing stock headed lower as the company launched an initiative to get passengers back on planes.

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Source Fool.com