Tariff exemptions put Best Buy (NYSE: NYSE: BBY) stock higher

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: NYSE: BBY) stock rose 8.8% in Monday’s pre-market trading following the White House’s announcement to exempt smartphones and computers from new reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports, providing a reprieve for the U.S. tech sector.

The exemptions, announced on Friday, span across 20 categories, which notably include computers and laptops, semiconductor devices, memory chips, and flat panel displays. This move is expected to alleviate some of the cost pressures on companies heavily reliant on these imports.

Best Buy’s stock performance has been under strain, with a 30% decline year to date and a 20% drop over the past month, largely due to worries about the impact of tariffs on its operations. The announcement has offered a momentary boost to the company’s outlook as it alleviates some of the immediate tariff-related concerns.

Other consumer tech companies, such as computer hardware manufacturers HP (NYSE: HPQ) and Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL), also experienced a positive market response, with their shares surging around 6% on the news.

The tariff exemptions come as a significant development for Best Buy, which, like many other consumer electronics retailers, has faced challenges due to the potential increase in costs associated with the import of tech products from China. The temporary relief from tariffs may provide some breathing room for the company to adjust its strategies and potentially improve its financial performance in the near term.