empty
04.03.2025 11:25 AM
The Market Goes All-In

The U.S. president is playing big. The S&P 500 recorded its worst drop of 2025 in response to the White House imposing tariffs against Mexico and Canada. For a long time, investors complained that the market was overly confident. They believed that Donald Trump's tariff threats were merely a negotiation tactic and that he would never push things to the extreme, as he wouldn't want to sink the stock index. March brought a reckoning for this overconfidence.

The S&P 500 alternated between daily losses and gains of at least 1.5% for three consecutive trading sessions, something that hasn't happened since March 2020. The rebound on March 2 seemed to confirm the perfect opportunity to buy the dip, especially since Mexico agreed to impose reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports, and a White House official hinted that the 25% tariff rate could be lowered.

However, Goldman Sachs warns that now is not the time to buy the S&P 500 dip. The U.S. economy is showing signs of cooling, and restoring an upward trend in the broad stock index requires something entirely different. The return of American exceptionalism and the so-called "Goldilocks economy" is absent from the market. As a result, Treasury bonds are outperforming stocks.

Stock and Bond Yield Performance

This image is no longer relevant

A fundamental shift is occurring in the so-called "Trump Trade." In Q4 2024, expectations that tariffs would drive inflation higher and force the Fed to keep the federal funds rate elevated for an extended period led to bond sell-offs and rising yields. Meanwhile, stocks rose on hopes of fiscal stimulus and deregulation.

At the beginning of spring, investors are more fearful of stagflation and a hard landing for the U.S. economy than inflation. This is accelerating capital outflows from equity-focused funds. The movement of money isn't just shifting into bonds but also into other markets.

Capital Flows into Equity-Oriented ETFs

This image is no longer relevant

One of the primary beneficiaries of this shift is Europe. Initially, European stock indices gained because Donald Trump chose to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China rather than the EU. At the start of March, gains were further fueled by the U.S. suspending military aid to Ukraine. This forces the European Union to increase defense spending, which, in theory, should boost industrial production and accelerate GDP growth.

This image is no longer relevant

Competition from Chinese companies in the artificial intelligence sector is also stripping the S&P 500 of its key growth driver—American exceptionalism. U.S. stock indices are now losing not only to Treasury bonds but also to European equities.

Technical Analysis

On the daily chart, the S&P 500 continues to follow the Broadening Wedge pattern. The rebound from resistance at 5955 provided another opportunity to add to the short positions formed from 6083. The first set of previously outlined targets at 5830 and 5750 has been met. The second target is now in focus.

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/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

The USD/JPY pair is holding above the key 144.00 level amid continued weakness in the U.S. dollar. Strong household spending data released today in Japan has strengthened expectations

Irina Yanina 18:12 2025-07-04 UTC+2

NZD/USD. Analysis and Forecast

The NZD/USD currency pair is recovering after bouncing from the 0.6030 level, which marks a weekly low, and is attempting to gain further positive momentum. This suggests a break

Irina Yanina 18:08 2025-07-04 UTC+2

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

On Friday, the USD/CAD pair remains near a three-week low, trading below the key 1.3600 level. The U.S. dollar is struggling to extend its gains following yesterday's stronger-than-expected Nonfarm Payrolls

Irina Yanina 17:59 2025-07-04 UTC+2

The Market Celebrates a Victory

Financial markets responded positively to the release of U.S. employment statistics for June. Payrolls rose by 143,000, exceeding Bloomberg analysts' forecasts. April and May figures were revised upward

Marek Petkovich 10:15 2025-07-04 UTC+2

Next Week May Begin on a Positive Note for the Markets (Possible Resumption of Growth in #SPX and #NDX)

The U.S. labor market data, published by the Department of Labor, instilled cautious optimism among investors, extending the rally in U.S. equity markets, supporting the dollar, and weakening gold prices

Pati Gani 10:09 2025-07-04 UTC+2

The Market is Preparing for Another Shock

Just yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration would begin sending letters to trade partners on Friday, outlining unilateral tariff rates that, according to him, countries will

Jakub Novak 09:55 2025-07-04 UTC+2

Strong U.S. Employment Report Exceeds All Expectations

The U.S. dollar surged against a range of risk assets as the key figures in June's employment report convinced the Federal Reserve that there is no need to lower interest

Jakub Novak 09:49 2025-07-04 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on July 4? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

No macroeconomic reports are scheduled for Friday. As previously mentioned, today is a public holiday in the United States, known as Independence Day. All banks and stock exchanges will

Paolo Greco 07:59 2025-07-04 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – July 4: Reeves Cried — Did the Pound Collapse?

The GBP/USD currency pair also traded fairly calmly throughout Thursday until the start of the U.S. trading session. Recall that a day earlier, the British currency had plummeted by nearly

Paolo Greco 03:56 2025-07-04 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – July 4: Trump's Third Trade Deal Didn't Help the Dollar Either

The EUR/USD currency pair traded very calmly throughout Thursday, until unemployment and labor market reports were released in the United States. However, we will discuss those reports in other articles

Paolo Greco 03:56 2025-07-04 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.