In a recent publication, we showcased a list of the 10 Best Low Volatility Stocks for investors looking to navigate the choppy waters of the current market. This article will delve deeper into where Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) ranks among these top low volatility stocks amidst the recent market turmoil.

The U.S. stock market has faced significant challenges in the first quarter of 2025, characterized by increased volatility and disappointing returns across major stock indices. This tumultuous environment has been largely attributed to rising uncertainty regarding the performance of technology stocks, fluctuating economic data, and escalating trade tensions that have intensified fears among investors.

A pivotal moment in this ongoing saga came at the start of the year with the unveiling of a groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) software named DeepSeek, developed in China. This innovative AI technology has been described as a formidable competitor to leading U.S. products like ChatGPT, and its introduction has sent shockwaves through the global financial markets. Reuters reported a substantial sell-off by global investors in U.S. indices, with one major tech company suffering a staggering loss of $593 million in a single trading day.

In response to this rising threat, the U.S. government quickly moved to implement policies aimed at bolstering American tech firms while curbing the influence of DeepSeek. This included the introduction of tariffs on Chinese goods, a strategy designed to protect the interests of U.S. businesses in the face of fierce international competition.

By February 2025, the first wave of tariffs was enacted, specifically targeting China as part of a broader strategy to limit the impact of DeepSeek on the U.S. tech industry. The situation escalated in March when President Trump announced a striking 54% tariff on a wide array of Chinese imports. In retaliation, the Chinese government responded with tariffs of 34% on U.S. goods and services. As of April 11, 2025, CNBC reported that the total tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Chinese goods had soared to an astonishing 145%, although certain sectors, notably Technology, Automobiles, and Smartphones, were granted exemptions. In turn, China retaliated with tariffs as high as 125% on American products.

This increasingly complex economic landscape has resulted in heightened uncertainty regarding interest rates, subsequently contributing to market volatility. The Federal Reserve announced its decision to maintain interest rates within a range of 4.25% to 4.50%. During a recent dinner at the Economic Club of Chicago, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell addressed the prevailing economic conditions, stating, For the time being, we are well positioned to wait for greater clarity before considering any adjustments to our policy stance.

The current state of the U.S. economy has raised alarms, with many analysts describing it as entering a phase of continuous stagflation. This term refers to a troubling economic condition characterized by persistent inflation coupled with minimal growth and high unemployment rates. One of the key indicators monitored by the Fed is the Cboe Volatility Index (commonly referred to as the VIX), which helps assess market conditions. A VIX reading of 20 or higher indicates a greater-than-normal level of price fluctuations expected in the market, and as of now, the VIX stands at 32.64%.