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

Opposition to Trump Within the U.S. Intensifies (Potential for Continued Growth in #SPX and #NDX)

Domestic opposition to Donald Trump is gaining momentum, which could be an unpleasant surprise for the former president. This development may limit his efforts to reshape the U.S. economic landscape

Pati Gani 09:49 2025-05-29 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 29? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Very few macroeconomic reports are scheduled for Thursday. The macroeconomic event calendars for Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Eurozone are empty. Only the United States will release reports

Paolo Greco 06:58 2025-05-29 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 29: The Dollar Begins to Believe in Miracles

On Wednesday, the GBP/USD currency pair traded with a slight decline, but it's hard to believe in further strengthening the U.S. dollar under the current circumstances. On the one hand

Paolo Greco 03:32 2025-05-29 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 29: Laughable or Lamentable? Trump Promises a Deal Again

The EUR/USD currency pair did not perform as well for the dollar on Wednesday as it did during the previous two days. However, even Monday and Tuesday can hardly

Paolo Greco 03:32 2025-05-29 UTC+2

NZD/USD. Hawkish Rate Cut: The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Concludes Its May Meeting

As expected, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) lowered the interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.25% following its May meeting. This marks the sixth round of monetary

Irina Manzenko 00:31 2025-05-29 UTC+2

The Yen Saws Off the Branch Under the Dollar

When you begin dismantling a system, you risk cutting off the branch you are sitting on. For decades, the United States' main trading partners earned money by exporting goods

Marek Petkovich 00:30 2025-05-29 UTC+2

The Euro Is Rushing Things

After a rapid rally from February through April, EUR/USD entered a prolonged consolidation phase. For several weeks now, the major currency pair has remained locked within the 1.1100–1.1400 trading range

Marek Petkovich 18:43 2025-05-28 UTC+2

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

The USD/CAD pair has been recovering for the third consecutive day from this year's lowest level, supported by renewed buying interest in the U.S. dollar. Yesterday's optimistic U.S. economic data

Irina Yanina 11:44 2025-05-28 UTC+2

DXY: U.S. Dollar Index Continues to Show Positive Momentum for the Second Day in a Row

On Wednesday, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) continued its upward momentum for the second consecutive day, rebounding from the monthly low reached earlier this week. The index rose

Irina Yanina 11:36 2025-05-28 UTC+2

Why Are Currencies Traded Against the Dollar Not Declining? (There Is a Chance EUR/USD May Resume Growth and USD/JPY May Fall)

We are truly living in an unusual time, where the classic principles of assessing market situations are being cast aside in favor of more pressing and, more importantly, unclear

Pati Gani 10:05 2025-05-28 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.