empty
17.03.2025 09:52 AM
Dollar Sells Off, Recession Threat Grows, S&P 500 Index Risks a Major Collapse

The dollar sell-off continues without signs of slowing down. According to the CFTC report, the net long position on the USD decreased by another $4.6 billion over the week, reaching $4.9 billion—the lowest level in 21 weeks. The euro contributes the most to this decline, followed by the pound, while changes in other currencies remain minimal.

This image is no longer relevant

On Friday, the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index showed a sharp drop in consumer confidence, falling 6.8 points to 57.9—the lowest level since the 2022 crisis. Considering the index also declined in February and January, the three-month drop totals 16.1 points, marking the steepest decline since May 2020.

The threat of a recession has suddenly become highly relevant. The U.S. economy grew steadily recently, with GDP expanding by 2.5% year-over-year in Q4 of last year. However, the Atlanta Fed's GDPNow model now projects a 2.4% contraction for the current quarter. This decline comes despite statements from Federal Reserve Chair Powell last week, who claimed that the U.S. economy continues to grow steadily. Markets have reacted extremely negatively to Trump's abrupt tariff policy moves.

The Fed is set to hold another meeting this week, and the market expects interest rates to remain unchanged. Overall, three rate cuts are anticipated this year. At the same time, markets are wary of recession risks and rising inflation. One-year inflation expectations rose to 4.9% in March—the highest since November 2022—while long-term expectations increased from 3.5% to 3.9%.

The dollar remains under pressure, particularly against the yen and European currencies.

The U.S. stock market sell-off continues. Just a few weeks ago, there was potential for the S&P 500 to rise to 6,220. However, disappointment over the Trump administration's aggressive tariff policies, recession fears, and inflation risks—essentially, the threat of stagflation—has drastically worsened the outlook.

This image is no longer relevant

Last week, we considered the S&P 500's decline a correction, expecting support around 5,660 but also warning of a much deeper drop to 5,270. Over the past week, conditions have deteriorated, with the S&P 500 falling to 5,503—the lowest level since September—and the probability of a further collapse has increased. The scenario is becoming increasingly bearish, with a possible rebound meeting resistance at 5,770, where another bearish impulse could form. The primary scenario now favors further declines to 5,090.

Kuvat Raharjo,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Summary
Urgency
Analytic
Evgeny Klimov
Start trade
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

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast. Gold is supported by moderate USD weakness and trade-related uncertainty

Today, gold is trading higher, remaining within a sideways trend. Late Thursday, Federal Reserve official Christopher Waller stated that rising risks to the economy could justify a key rate

Irina Yanina 19:15 2025-07-18 UTC+2

AUD/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Today, the AUD/USD pair climbed above the key psychological level of 0.6500, attempting to confirm its recent positive momentum. The main driver behind the Aussie's rise is the weakening

Irina Yanina 13:49 2025-07-18 UTC+2

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

Today, Friday, the USD/CAD pair is pulling back from a three-week high near 1.3775 recorded yesterday. At the moment, prices are trading slightly below the 1.3730 level, showing a modest

Irina Yanina 13:38 2025-07-18 UTC+2

The European Central Bank May Postpone Its Rate Cut Until December

While the euro attempts to stage a correction against the U.S. dollar, a survey of economists suggests that the European Central Bank may delay its final interest rate cut until

Jakub Novak 11:37 2025-07-18 UTC+2

Powell Responds to White House Criticism

Lately, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has faced increasing pressure, coming under fire from lawmakers, the White House, and U.S. President Donald Trump. In a letter sent on Thursday, Powell

Jakub Novak 11:26 2025-07-18 UTC+2

The U.S. Begins Regulating the Digital Currency Market (Potential for a Correction in Bitcoin and EUR/USD)

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed bills establishing the first federal framework for dollar-backed stablecoins and setting regulations for other digital currencies. The idea of regulating the cryptocurrency market

Pati Gani 09:28 2025-07-18 UTC+2

The Market Favors a Weak Dollar

What could be better for the S&P 500 than a Federal Reserve rate cut amid a still-strong economy? A series of positive labor market and retail sales data, combined with

Marek Petkovich 09:28 2025-07-18 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on July 18? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Several macroeconomic reports are scheduled for release on Friday, but none of them are of major importance. The only noteworthy release is the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index

Paolo Greco 06:13 2025-07-18 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – July 18: Is the Market Tired of the Dollar and Trump?

The GBP/USD currency pair once again leaned toward decline on Thursday. After the British pound strengthened on Wednesday evening following another report about Powell's dismissal, the dollar quickly recovered. However

Paolo Greco 03:56 2025-07-18 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – July 18: Trump Will Keep Trying to Fire Powell for Another Year

The EUR/USD currency pair continued its steady decline throughout Thursday. As a reminder, the forex market experienced an "explosion" on Wednesday evening. Donald Trump once again attempted to either fire

Paolo Greco 03:56 2025-07-18 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.