empty
28.02.2025 09:49 AM
Stock market throws in towel

Trouble never comes alone. The S&P 500 plunged to its lowest levels since mid-January as Donald Trump reignited tariff threats. First, negative economic data from the US, then NVIDIA's earnings report that failed to impress investors, and finally, new import tariffs forced the bulls in US equities to throw in the towel. The fire was further fueled by Tesla's sell-off, with its shares returning to levels last seen during the November presidential elections.

Markets doubt that Elon Musk, who has now taken on the ambitious task of trimming the US government workforce, will have time to focus on his own company. Tesla's sales in Europe plummeted by 45% in January, serving as a catalyst for the stock's nosedive and dragging the S&P 500 down. Meanwhile, Donald Trump appears unlikely to throw a lifeline to the broad stock index.

The US president announced additional 10% tariffs on Chinese imports, sparking outrage in Beijing. Chinese officials have warned that if the US insists on its own course, China will have no choice but to defend its legitimate interests. According to a Harris poll for Bloomberg, 60% of Americans believe tariffs will accelerate inflation, while 44% think they will slow the economy.

US Imports from China, Mexico, and Canada

This image is no longer relevant

US equities face further pressure as Trump plans to introduce 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada starting in March. The close ties between US companies and their North American neighbors risk disrupting supply chains, increasing stagflation risks, and potentially triggering a recession. These concerns, combined with other bearish factors, have made individual investors the most pessimistic about the S&P 500's outlook in recent history. According to the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) survey, the share of bearish sentiment surged from 40.5% to 61% in just one week, marking the highest level since September 2022.

Money continues to flee the US stock market, especially since alternative opportunities abound. Delays in tariffs have fueled rallies in European and Chinese stock indices. Meanwhile, the AI hype is no longer enough to sustain investor interest in US tech giants, given rising competition from abroad. Finally, as the S&P 500 tumbles, rising US Treasury prices provide an attractive domestic alternative for capital allocation.

US equity and bond yield trends

This image is no longer relevant

This image is no longer relevant

Capital flight is a major blow to the broad market index. There's hope that Trump's tariff threats won't materialize, but for now, investors are poised to play safe.

From a technical standpoint, the S&P 500 continues to develop a Broadening Wedge pattern on the daily chart. The short positions initiated at 6,083 and reinforced at 6,000 should be maintained, especially since the first of the two previously mentioned targets at 5,830 and 5,750 is now within reach.

Marek Petkovich,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

The USD/CAD pair is showing signs of recovery for the second consecutive day after a recent decline, rebounding from a two-week low around 1.4260. Spot prices have climbed above

Irina Yanina 10:16 2025-03-19 UTC+2

Stock market pays dear cost for Washington's rhetoric

The boomerang effect: what goes around, comes around The US is retreating from globalization, and it is only a matter of time before it faces the consequences. According

Marek Petkovich 09:51 2025-03-19 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold has halted its upward movement as it attempts to consolidate at new all-time highs around $3,045, with bulls taking a pause ahead of the FOMC meeting results. The Federal

Irina Yanina 09:41 2025-03-19 UTC+2

How Might Markets React After the Fed Meeting? (Expecting a Sharp Decline in GBP/USD and a Drop in #SPX)

Today, the market will focus on the Federal Reserve's final decision on monetary policy. It is expected to bring nothing new, so the main topic will remain the same

Pati Gani 08:27 2025-03-19 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on March 19? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are few macroeconomic events scheduled for Wednesday, which suggests that volatility for both currency pairs may remain low until the evening. The dollar continues to show signs of weakness

Paolo Greco 06:44 2025-03-19 UTC+2

GBP/USD Pair Overview – March 19: The Inertial Growth Continues

On Tuesday, the GBP/USD currency pair did not attempt to correct once again. There was no macroeconomic background that day, but it is difficult to determine what is currently better

Paolo Greco 02:34 2025-03-19 UTC+2

EUR/USD Pair Overview – March 19: What Will the Fed Meeting Change?

The EUR/USD currency pair continued to trade upward on Tuesday. Although the upward movement is weakening, the euro remains strong while the US dollar keeps falling. This is happening despite

Paolo Greco 02:34 2025-03-19 UTC+2

The Euro Fires a Bazooka

The last time Germany armed itself was in the 1930s, it led to World War II. Today, German militarization is welcomed. According to Bloomberg estimates, fiscal stimulus packages worth around

Marek Petkovich 23:46 2025-03-18 UTC+2

WTI Gains Support from Rising Geopolitical Tensions in the Middle East

For the third consecutive day, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil is attracting buyers. Currently, the commodity is trading slightly above the key psychological level of $68.00, having gained over

Irina Yanina 18:24 2025-03-18 UTC+2

USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

Today, the Japanese yen continues to decline intraday, pushing USD/JPY close to the key psychological level of 150.00, with the pair setting a new two-day high around 149.87. Global market

Irina Yanina 18:21 2025-03-18 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.