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

WTI – West Texas Intermediate. Prices Lack Support for Growth

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices are attempting to attract buyers, but the market remains in a state of uncertainty. Concerns over President Trump's aggressive trade tariffs are putting

Irina Yanina 12:39 2025-03-31 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Analysis and Forecast

At the start of the new week during the Asian session, the EUR/USD pair attempted to attract buyers, but this was unsuccessful. The euro received support from easing concerns about

Irina Yanina 12:35 2025-03-31 UTC+2

US stock market runs into trouble

Rumors about mutual tariffs and another blow to consumer confidence triggered the second-worst sell-off of the S&P 500 this year. Investors are still holding piles of US stocks

Marek Petkovich 10:58 2025-03-31 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Hello, April: Eurozone Inflation Report, ISM Indices, and Nonfarm Payrolls

The first week of every month is the most informative for EUR/USD traders. The economic calendar traditionally includes a report on inflation growth in the eurozone, American ISM indices

Irina Manzenko 06:28 2025-03-31 UTC+2

GBP/USD Pair Overview – March 31: Nonfarm Payrolls, Trump, and Unemployment May Create New Problems for the Dollar

The GBP/USD currency pair continued to trade sideways near its highs on Friday. This sideways movement has persisted for several weeks, and the British pound has not managed even

Paolo Greco 06:24 2025-03-31 UTC+2

EUR/USD Pair Overview – March 31: A New Week of Trials for the Dollar

The EUR/USD currency pair rose again on Friday. As we can see, the correction against the upward trend of recent weeks ended very quickly. But that's no surprise, given that

Paolo Greco 06:24 2025-03-31 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on March 31? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are very few macroeconomic events scheduled for Monday. The only somewhat interesting reports will come from Germany. Retail sales and inflation data for March will be released. However, we'd

Paolo Greco 03:21 2025-03-31 UTC+2

AUD/USD: Analysis and Forecast

The AUD/USD pair continues its sideways consolidation, remaining within a familiar range near the key psychological level of 0.6300. This movement is driven by several factors impacting global market sentiment

Irina Yanina 11:16 2025-03-28 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Today, the EUR/USD pair is consolidating near the key psychological level of 1.0800, showing no intention of retreating below 1.0780 as traders and investors await the release of the U.S

Irina Yanina 10:45 2025-03-28 UTC+2

Markets at a Crossroads Ahead of Tariff Announcement by D. Trump (Possible Decline in CFD Contracts on #SPX and #NDX Futures)

Markets are now fully convinced that the U.S. President will follow through on his plans to implement severe customs tariffs aimed at closing the domestic market and, in doing

Pati Gani 10:39 2025-03-28 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.