empty
18.06.2025 11:53 AM
Stock Market on May 18th: S&P 500 and NASDAQ

At the close of the most recent regular session, U.S. stock indices ended in decline. The S&P 500 fell by 0.84%, while the Nasdaq 100 dropped by 0.91%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.74%.

Oil traded near a five-month high amid concerns that escalating tensions in the Middle East could lead to more direct U.S. involvement. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude stabilized during Asian trading after reaching its highest level in nearly five months on Tuesday. This happened after President Donald Trump demanded Iran's unconditional surrender and warned of a potential strike against the country's leadership.

This image is no longer relevant

Futures on U.S. equities remained largely unchanged after the S&P 500 dropped 0.8%. Treasury yields declined in Asia but still held on to most of their Tuesday gains, which were driven by geopolitical risks and disappointing U.S. data on retail sales, housing, and industrial production.

Iran and Israel have exchanged fire for the sixth consecutive day following Trump's meeting with his national security team to discuss the escalation. This has sparked new speculation that Washington is on the verge of joining the attacks. Tuesday's meeting in Washington, D.C. lasted over an hour but concluded without concrete results. Conflicts in the Middle East are increasing risk premiums, which is another reason global equity markets declined. However, unless the conflict escalates further, risk premiums and oil prices may return to lower levels.

U.S. data published on Tuesday showed retail sales fell for the second month in a row, indicating consumer concern over tariffs and financial conditions after a spending surge earlier in the year. Industrial production also declined, and homebuilder sentiment dropped to its lowest level since December 2022. Investors should continue to expect some volatility in economic data due to the lingering effects of trade policies, even as the broader economy and consumer activity remain resilient.

Today, Federal Reserve officials are set to announce their policy decision. Traders continue to bet that there will be only two quarter-point rate cuts this year—with the first one fully priced in for October. The Fed is expected to leave rates unchanged today and again in July, though it may communicate its intentions through revised economic and interest rate projections.

A fourth consecutive meeting without a rate cut could provoke another outburst from President Trump. However, policymakers have made it clear that they need the White House to resolve broader issues around tariffs, immigration, and taxes before they can act. Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have also introduced another layer of uncertainty into the global economic outlook.

This image is no longer relevant

Technical Outlook for the S&P 500

Today, the primary objective for buyers will be to break through the nearest resistance at $5999. This would support a continuation of the upward move and open the path toward $6013. Maintaining control over the $6030 level is also a priority, as it would further strengthen the bullish case. If the index moves lower due to waning risk appetite, buyers must step in around $5986. A break below this level could quickly push the price back down to $5975 and open the way toward $5962.

Jakub Novak,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Summary
Urgency
Analytic
Pavel Vlasov
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

Update on US stock market on July 11: stock indices extending modest growth

S&P500 Snapshot of major US stock indices Dow Jones: +0.5% NASDAQ: +0.2% S&P 500: +0.3%, S&P 500 closed at 6,283, trading in a range of 5,900 to 6400 The stock

Jozef Kovach 12:57 2025-07-11 UTC+2

US stock market on July 11: S&P 500 and NASDAQ hit record highs before retreating

On Wednesday, the US stock market closed higher, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.27%, the Nasdaq 100 rising 0.09%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average advancing 0.43%. However, during Asian

Jakub Novak 11:42 2025-07-11 UTC+2

Stock market on July 10: SP500 and NASDAQ extend upward momentum

US stock markets ended the previous trading session with gains, continuing their upward trajectory. The S&P 500 rose by 0.61%, the Nasdaq 100 advanced 0.94%, and the Dow Jones Industrial

Jakub Novak 12:42 2025-07-10 UTC+2

Update on US stock market on July 10: bullish trend going on

S&P500 Snapshot of major US stock indices on Wednesday: Dow +0.5%, NASDAQ +0.9%, S&P 500 +0.6%, S&P 500 6,263 in the range of 5,900 to 6,400. The stock market began

Jozef Kovach 11:41 2025-07-10 UTC+2

Update on US stock market on July 9: consolidation stage. Bank stocks decline

S&P500 Snapshot of major US stock indices on Tuesday: Dow -0.4%, NASDAQ -0.1%, S&P 500 -0.1%, S&P 500 at 6,225, within the range of 5,900 to 6,400 A lack

Jozef Kovach 12:55 2025-07-09 UTC+2

Stock market on July 9: S&P 500 and NASDAQ struggle to gain ground

US stock indices closed mixed on Monday, reflecting growing uncertainty in investor sentiment. The S&P 500 dipped slightly by 0.07%, the Nasdaq 100 made a modest gain of 0.03%, while

Jakub Novak 11:22 2025-07-09 UTC+2

Stock market on July 8: S&P 500 and NASDAQ continue their decline

US stock indices closed lower yesterday, extending recent losses. The S&P 500 dropped by 0.79%, while the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.92%. The industrial Dow Jones index retreated by 0.94%. Asian

Jakub Novak 10:48 2025-07-08 UTC+2

US market retreats on Trump tariffs. Correction ahead?

S&P 500 Overview for July 8 US market pulls back on Trump tariffs Major US indices on Monday: Dow -0.9%, NASDAQ -0.9%, S&P 500 -0.8%, S&P 500: 6,230, trading range

Jozef Kovach 09:52 2025-07-08 UTC+2

Stock market on July 7: S&P500 and NASDAQ drop

Last Friday was a public holiday in the US, so trading was not conducted. However, today, at the opening of the Asian session, index futures declined while the US dollar

Jakub Novak 13:41 2025-07-07 UTC+2

Stock market on July 4: S&P 500 and NASDAQ hit fresh all-time highs

US stock indices closed higher yesterday. The S&P 500 rose by 0.83%, while the Nasdaq 100 added 1.02%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced by 0.77%. During today's Asian trading

Jakub Novak 12:59 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.