empty
25.02.2025 01:59 PM
US stock market escapes from narrow range

Markets follow a natural cycle: trends give way to consolidations, and consolidations lead to new trends.

Before the sell-off on February 23–24, the S&P 500 had gone 35 consecutive trading sessions without a 1% decline, marking its longest streak since December. This has happened only three times in 2024. Since the November presidential election, the broad stock index had been stuck in a tight 4% trading range—the narrowest since 2017. A breakout was inevitable, and bulls fled the battlefield.

S&P 500's performance

This image is no longer relevant

The market was falling ahead of NVIDIA's earnings report, despite expectations that the company's earnings would exceed forecasts. Strong economic data, corporate earnings which are twice higher than Wall Street estimates, and even a bullish shift from Morgan Stanley—all failed to support US stocks.

Even Morgan Stanley, which was previously bearish, now claims that the US stock market's underperformance compared to Europe and other regions won't last long. The S&P 500, they argue, remains the highest-quality index with the best profit potential.

According to Principal Asset Management, since 1965, 10%+ corrections in the S&P 500 have primarily been caused by either a hawkish Federal Reserve's policy shift, or prolonged high interest rates. Something similar is happening now, as derivatives markets don't expect rate cuts before June. However, the situation differs significantly—no one is even hinting at a hard landing.

S&P 500 and European stock index performance

This image is no longer relevant

The key drivers of the S&P 500 pullback include Donald Trump's confirmation that tariffs on Mexico and Canada will proceed as planned; the victory of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in parliamentary elections; and investors' belief in an imminent resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. For a long time, the S&P 500 rallied as markets grew indifferent to Trump's tariff threats, which could slow the US economy.

However, the clock is ticking:

March 1: 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada could take effect.

March 12: Steel and aluminum duties—to which the EU has promised retaliation.

April 1: Reciprocal tariffs with China are set to roll out.

Meanwhile, 10% duties on Chinese imports remain in place.

The CDU's victory under Friedrich Merz sent European stock indices, led by the DAX 40, soaring. This accelerated capital outflows from the US to Europe, reinforcing the narrative of waning US market dominance and diminished faith in American tech giants.

This image is no longer relevant

Technical outlook for S&P 500

On the daily chart, the S&P 500 continues to form an expanding wedge reversal pattern. For confirmation, the index needs to break below 5,925. Once this occurs, a short-term rebound is expected, providing an opportunity to increase short positions from 6,083.

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

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

The pair is trending lower, dropping close to the key psychological level of 1.3800 amid broad-based U.S. dollar weakness. Traders have raised their expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts following

Irina Yanina 16:43 2025-05-23 UTC+2

USD declares war on EUR

What's new is often just what's been forgotten. As spring draws to a close, the long-dismissed mantra "sell America" is making a comeback in markets. The phrase gained traction following

Marek Petkovich 14:59 2025-05-23 UTC+2

USD/JPY: what happens with yen?

The USD/JPY pair is experiencing heightened price turbulence. At the end of April, the pair sharply declined, hitting a 7-month low at 139.90. Then, last week, a northbound impulse pushed

Irina Manzenko 13:52 2025-05-23 UTC+2

Market Chaos to Continue (There is a likelihood of continued local declines in #USDX and gold prices)

Markets continue to act blindly amid the chaotic actions of Donald Trump, who is trying to pull the U.S. out of a deep, all-encompassing crisis like Baron Munchausen pulling himself

Pati Gani 10:19 2025-05-23 UTC+2

The Market Tucks Its Tail

A necessary project at the wrong time. The House of Representatives has approved Donald Trump's tax cut initiative. The President hopes it will help stimulate the economy and offset shortcomings

Marek Petkovich 09:29 2025-05-23 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 23: No Talks, but Hang in There

On Thursday, the GBP/USD currency pair traded relatively calmly, but like EUR/USD, it has been rising for two weeks. At first glance, one might wonder what reasons traders have

Paolo Greco 08:15 2025-05-23 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 23: The Rebellion Against the Dollar Continues

The EUR/USD currency pair traded relatively calmly on Thursday, yet it has risen significantly over the past two weeks. This movement can be interpreted in several ways. From a technical

Paolo Greco 08:15 2025-05-23 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 23? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Very few macroeconomic reports are scheduled for Friday. Only two are noteworthy: the final estimate of Germany's Q1 GDP and April's UK retail sales data. The German GDP report

Paolo Greco 05:58 2025-05-23 UTC+2

The "Big, Beautiful Bill" vs. Import Tariffs

At present, Donald Trump is focused on promoting what he calls the "Big, Beautiful Law." In the trade war, Trump has done everything he could—he imposed tariffs, then lowered them

Chin Zhao 00:23 2025-05-23 UTC+2

The Fed Is Not Ready to Act Before the Second Half of the Year

In recent reviews, I have repeatedly addressed the topic of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, market expectations, and the reality we all live in. I believe the market's expectations

Chin Zhao 00:23 2025-05-23 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.