empty
26.03.2025 08:00 AM
Markets Won't Rush Headfirst into the Fire

Donald Trump has dealt such a heavy blow to globalization that conditions and outlooks for the future have changed—now divided along territorial lines. While European banks believe the S&P 500's decline will continue, their American counterparts argue that the time to sell the rally is over. In both cases, tariffs play a central role.

JP Morgan sees the risk of a renewed correction in the broad stock index as low, while Morgan Stanley considers the S&P 500 rally to be gaining momentum, expecting clarity on the White House's tariffs after April 2. The idea is that markets mostly feared the approach of import duties. Once that materializes, there'll be nothing left to fear. "The anticipation of death is worse than death itself." Time to buy U.S. stocks! Increasing the likelihood of consolidation.

In contrast, Swiss bank UBS and UK-based HSBC remain in the bearish camp. UBS cut its S&P 500 forecast to 5,300, citing warning signs in the latest U.S. macro data, which they argue justify selling the index. HSBC claims the chances of uncertainty disappearing after April 2 are slim. Ongoing tariff noise will affect American business and the economy, leading to further stock declines.

S&P 500 Forecast Trends

This image is no longer relevant

The Wall Street consensus expects a 13% rise from current levels to 6,539. Oppenheimer's John Stoltzfus target is the most bullish, at 7,100, while Stifel's Barry Bannister's target is the most bearish, at 5,500.

Overall, it must be acknowledged that markets have absorbed the negative impact of Donald Trump's policies without the upside. We're talking about a cooling U.S. economy, fading hopes for additional fiscal stimulus from Washington, an unstable tariff strategy, and an unexpectedly strong response from Europe. All this has led to capital outflows from the New World to the Old, contributing to the S&P 500's decline. Is the rough patch for the broad index over?

U.S. Consumer Sentiment Dynamics

This image is no longer relevant

Markets had been climbing on rumors of less severe White House tariffs than previously feared. Trump mentioned potential exemptions but then stated he doesn't like granting them. Combined with the consumer confidence index dropping to a four-year low, this clipped the wings of S&P 500 buyers.

This image is no longer relevant

Until the import tariff situation is clearer, the chance of the broad index consolidating remains high. Few investors are willing to jump into the fire ahead of such a key event, making choppy, directionless fluctuations more probable.

Technically, the bulls' counterattack continues on the S&P 500 daily chart. Traders who opened long positions from 5,670 are "sitting pretty." However, if the index bounces off resistance levels — the pivot zones at 5,815, 5,835, and 5,885 — it may trigger a reversal and shift toward selling.

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 maintains a bearish tone today, though it has slightly recovered from the daily low, climbing back above the $3300 level. Investors continue to hope for a potential de-escalation

Irina Yanina 12:23 2025-04-25 UTC+2

The Market Has Nowhere Left to Run

While Donald Trump and Beijing are still trying to figure out whether trade negotiations between the U.S. and China are happening at all, the S&P 500 continues to climb

Marek Petkovich 11:57 2025-04-25 UTC+2

The U.S. Dollar Rises — Here's Why

The U.S. dollar strengthened against a number of global currencies, as did the U.S. stock market, following reports that the Chinese government is considering suspending its 125% tariffs on certain

Jakub Novak 11:31 2025-04-25 UTC+2

Why Could Gold Prices Drop Significantly? (There's a chance gold will continue to decline while the CFD on the NASDAQ 100 futures contract may rise)

The beginning of actual negotiations could lead to a significant drop in gold prices in the near future. In previous articles, I suggested that the previously surging price of gold

Pati Gani 10:14 2025-04-25 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – April 25: The Fed Is Starting to Worry for Real

The GBP/USD currency pair traded higher on Thursday, remaining near its 3-year highs. Despite the British pound's strong rally in recent months, corrections are still rare in the forex market

Paolo Greco 07:57 2025-04-25 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – April 25: America Files a Lawsuit Against Trump

The EUR/USD currency pair continued to trade calmly on Thursday, although volatility remained relatively high. This week, the US dollar showed some signs of recovery—something that could already be considered

Paolo Greco 07:57 2025-04-25 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on April 25? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

A few macroeconomic events are scheduled for Friday, but this doesn't matter, as the market continues to ignore 90% of all publications. Among the more or less significant reports today

Paolo Greco 07:06 2025-04-25 UTC+2

The Yen Is Looking Stronger and Stronger

The nationwide Consumer Price Index published last week showed accelerated core inflation in March—from 2.6% to 2.9%. Inflationary pressure is increasing, supporting the case for further interest rate hikes

Kuvat Raharjo 01:23 2025-04-25 UTC+2

Canada Awaits Election Results. USD/CAD Outlook

Last week, the Bank of Canada kept its interest rate unchanged at 2.75%, as expected. The accompanying statement was neutral in tone, emphasizing ongoing uncertainty. Confidence is hard to maintain

Kuvat Raharjo 00:59 2025-04-25 UTC+2

The Australian Dollar Could Suffer If the U.S.-China Trade War Escalates

U.S. President Donald Trump once again commented on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, openly expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of rate cuts. Another public expression of disapproval of the Fed's

Kuvat Raharjo 00:59 2025-04-25 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.