empty
14.04.2025 09:45 AM
The Market Wants to, But Hesitates

Do you have a plan, Mr. Donald Trump? Some believe what's happening is masterful diplomacy — they hope that once serious proposals from other countries reach the White House, tariffs will be lifted, GDP will accelerate to 3%, and the S&P 500 will hit new record highs. Others are convinced that import tariffs will drive the U.S. economy into a recession, causing the broad stock index to resume its decline. One thing is clear: investors are tired of uncertainty and hope that clarity regarding the new trade regime will enable them to buy stocks. But not so fast.

Following the announcement of sweeping tariffs, we witnessed ten days of historic turbulence in financial markets. The S&P 500's market cap plunged by $5.8 trillion only to surge again by $4 trillion. The White House alternated between imposing tariffs and announcing postponements. One day, it raised the stakes against Beijing to 145%; the next, it exempted $100 billion worth of popular Chinese electronics from duties — about 23% of total imports from China. Is it any surprise that the VIX surged to its highest levels since March 2020? Is fear still ruling the market?

U.S. Stock Market Volatility Dynamics

This image is no longer relevant

Yes and no. There's an aversion to American assets due to the White House's constantly shifting tone and decisions. At the same time, we're seeing a resurgence of FOMO — the "buy or miss out" strategy. Indeed, the pullback in the S&P 500 has left investors stuck in a "tempted but cautious" state of mind.

This historic volatility has made safe-haven assets the winners: gold, the Japanese yen, and the Swiss franc. At first glance, the euro's strength might seem illogical, but considering that German bonds have become beneficiaries of the White House's erratic decisions — as opposed to U.S. Treasuries — it all starts to make sense.

Asset Performance During Days of Historic Market Volatility

This image is no longer relevant

Investors are confident that Europe and China will stimulate their economies to counteract the negative impact of tariffs and trade wars. Meanwhile, Trump's loosening grip on the European Union has accelerated the outflow of capital from the US to the EU, putting pressure on the S&P 500.

This image is no longer relevant

Furthermore, Wall Street Journal experts have raised the probability of a U.S. recession within the next 12 months from 22% to 45%. The GDP forecast for 2025 has been downgraded from 2% to 0.8%, with some analysts expecting a 2% contraction this year. Others, however, are betting on a swift tariff rollback and GDP expansion to 3%. The first scenario appears more likely — suggesting the stock market is not out of the woods yet. The rough patch is far from over.

From a technical perspective, an inside bar was played out on the S&P 500's daily chart, allowing for the formation of long positions. Now it's time for the second phase of the previously announced strategy: profit-taking on long positions and selling on pullbacks from resistance at 5500 and 5600.

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/CHF. Analysis and Forecast

On Tuesday, the USD/CHF pair is under selling pressure, pulling back from the weekly high near the key psychological level of 0.8000. This decline is driven by a combination

Irina Yanina 12:47 2025-07-08 UTC+2

What to Watch on July 8th? Fundamental Events Overview for Beginners

No macroeconomic publications are scheduled for Tuesday. However, it cannot be said that the market was idle on Monday despite the lack of key macroeconomic events—there was still enough news

Paolo Greco 11:19 2025-07-08 UTC+2

Markets given breathing room as tariff deadline pushed to August

No need to panic. The market is simply cautious about the White House's return to the tariffs announced on America's Liberation Day. Donald Trump sent letters to various countries specifying

Marek Petkovich 10:14 2025-07-08 UTC+2

GBP/USD Pair Overview on July 8, 2025

The GBP/USD pair declined slightly on Monday, but it's still premature to speak of a downtrend. From a technical standpoint, the pair remains below the moving average line; however

Paolo Greco 08:55 2025-07-08 UTC+2

EUR/USD Review on July 8, 2025

The EUR/USD currency pair traded with a downward bias throughout Monday, although there were likely no solid reasons for the dollar to strengthen again. Let's recall that over the weekend

Paolo Greco 08:37 2025-07-08 UTC+2

GBP/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

During the European session on Monday, the GBP/JPY currency pair is approaching the 198.30 level. The pair finds some support from UK housing data: in June, house prices rose

Irina Yanina 19:40 2025-07-07 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Geopolitical Risks May Provide Additional Support to the Safe-Haven Precious Metal

Today, gold is displaying an intraday bearish tone despite rebounding from the $3300 level. Strengthening demand for the US dollar remains the primary factor pressuring gold, limiting its upward movement

Irina Yanina 19:09 2025-07-07 UTC+2

Bitcoin leads turbulent life

Beneath the calm surface of BTC/USD lie turbulent underwater currents that are reshaping the cryptocurrency market structure. Still waters run deep. On the surface, it seems that life

Marek Petkovich 15:48 2025-07-07 UTC+2

USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

The USD/JPY pair maintains a bullish bias, staying above the psychological level of 145.00, reflecting intraday selling pressure on the Japanese yen amid U.S. dollar strength. Investors are concerned that

Irina Yanina 12:59 2025-07-07 UTC+2

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

On Monday, the USD/CAD pair continued its upward movement for the second day in a row. This rise is driven by a combination of factors. Crude oil prices initially declined

Irina Yanina 12:39 2025-07-07 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.