The Russell 2000, a key benchmark for small-cap stocks, officially entered bear market territory on Thursday, marking a significant downturn in U.S. equities. The index has plummeted over 20% from its record high in late November 2024, making it the first major U.S. stock measure to reach this threshold. The sell-off was fueled by ongoing economic uncertainty, aggressive new tariffs introduced by the Trump administration, and rising concerns over an economic slowdown.