empty
12.05.2025 09:18 AM
The Market Will Face Reality

How quickly things change on the financial markets! Before America's Liberation Day, investors viewed the 10% universal import tariff as disastrous. Now, it's seen as the most favorable option. The S&P 500 has climbed 14% from its April lows, erasing all losses since the imposition of the highest U.S. tariffs since the early 20th century. But is this justified, considering the tariff burden remains at very high levels despite being reduced?

Most of the spring rally in the S&P 500 was emotionally driven. Investors were buying the rumor that the April 2 tariffs were the peak and would soon be lowered, making it an "ideal" time to buy stocks. According to Bank of America, the time has come to "sell the fact," meaning the upward movement of the broad equity index is likely over.

This is supported by Bloomberg's model tracking S&P 500 corporate earnings, which has now moved into the red zone, indicating a potential deterioration in financial results. Historically, this does not bode well for equities. In seven previous cases when the index entered the red zone, the S&P 500 dropped by an average of 5.6% over the following 12 months.

S&P 500 Companies' Expected Earnings Trajectory

This image is no longer relevant

This seems quite plausible. Donald Trump believes that reducing tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 80% would be "fair"—but only if China reopens access to its markets for U.S. companies. According to Bloomberg, S&P 500 companies on average earn 6.1% of their revenue from selling goods in China or to Chinese companies. Beijing's 125% retaliatory tariffs would significantly worsen their financial performance.

Bilateral trade between the U.S. and China is valued at $700 billion. China has invested $1.4 trillion in the U.S. An escalation of the trade war would be harmful not only to the largest Asian economy, whose exports are already suffering, but also to the U.S. Growing recession risks would exert serious pressure on the S&P 500.

China's Export, Import, and Trade Balance Dynamics

This image is no longer relevant

This image is no longer relevant

In this context, statements from White House officials about progress in U.S.-China negotiations—and a potential agreement whose details may be announced on Monday—sounded like music to the ears of stock market bulls. Still, the market has long been driven by emotion. Is it now time to face the truth? The trade war threatens both economic growth and corporate profits. Against this backdrop, the stock market rally appears excessive.

Technically, on the daily chart, the S&P 500 shows a high probability of forming a bearish reversal pattern known as Anti-Turtles, highlighted by a candlestick with a long upper shadow. A drop below 5635 would trigger a sell signal for the broad index.

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

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold is declining below the $3300 level today. U.S. PCE data met expectations. A shift in trade flows is helping the U.S. dollar regain positive momentum. This is also undermining

Irina Yanina 17:37 2025-05-30 UTC+2

Inflation Is Almost Under Control

While the euro continues to hold its ground against the dollar, European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Fabio Panetta indicated during an interview today that inflation in the eurozone

Jakub Novak 13:40 2025-05-30 UTC+2

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

The USD/CAD pair is attempting to regain positive momentum today, though traders remain cautious ahead of the key U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index release. As a preferred inflation

Irina Yanina 13:22 2025-05-30 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Analysis and Forecast

The EUR/USD pair continues to struggle to recover after rebounding from the 1.1200 level reached earlier, showing a moderately negative bias, although the decline remains limited. The U.S. dollar

Irina Yanina 13:19 2025-05-30 UTC+2

Legal Disputes Between Trump and Companies Over Tariffs Will Negatively Impact Markets (There Is a Likelihood of Continued Decline in Bitcoin and Litecoin Prices)

Global markets are significantly influenced by events occurring in the United States, where both political and economic spheres continue to swing like a pendulum. Earlier this week, after the U.S

Pati Gani 11:11 2025-05-30 UTC+2

More Time is Needed

Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Lorie Logan indicated yesterday that it might take some time before policymakers understand how the economy will react to tariffs and other policy changes

Jakub Novak 10:53 2025-05-30 UTC+2

The ECB Should Not Delay Rate Cuts

While the euro is trying to regain its monthly highs after a fairly significant correction seen this week, a survey of several economists shows that the European Central Bank

Jakub Novak 10:49 2025-05-30 UTC+2

Markets Demand an Appeal

The S&P 500 started the day strong but ended on a downbeat note. Initially buoyed by the U.S. Court of International Trade's ruling that the White House's tariffs were illegal

Marek Petkovich 10:33 2025-05-30 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 30? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Several macroeconomic reports are set to be released on Friday, but none are deemed particularly significant. In Germany, the inflation report for May will be released, with expectations

Paolo Greco 06:51 2025-05-30 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 30: Justice Has Prevailed, but for How Long?

The GBP/USD currency pair closed below the moving average line on Thursday, and the dollar strengthened for three consecutive days. However, everything changed in the second half

Paolo Greco 03:51 2025-05-30 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.