empty
28.02.2025 09:49 AM
Stock market throws in towel

Trouble never comes alone. The S&P 500 plunged to its lowest levels since mid-January as Donald Trump reignited tariff threats. First, negative economic data from the US, then NVIDIA's earnings report that failed to impress investors, and finally, new import tariffs forced the bulls in US equities to throw in the towel. The fire was further fueled by Tesla's sell-off, with its shares returning to levels last seen during the November presidential elections.

Markets doubt that Elon Musk, who has now taken on the ambitious task of trimming the US government workforce, will have time to focus on his own company. Tesla's sales in Europe plummeted by 45% in January, serving as a catalyst for the stock's nosedive and dragging the S&P 500 down. Meanwhile, Donald Trump appears unlikely to throw a lifeline to the broad stock index.

The US president announced additional 10% tariffs on Chinese imports, sparking outrage in Beijing. Chinese officials have warned that if the US insists on its own course, China will have no choice but to defend its legitimate interests. According to a Harris poll for Bloomberg, 60% of Americans believe tariffs will accelerate inflation, while 44% think they will slow the economy.

US Imports from China, Mexico, and Canada

This image is no longer relevant

US equities face further pressure as Trump plans to introduce 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada starting in March. The close ties between US companies and their North American neighbors risk disrupting supply chains, increasing stagflation risks, and potentially triggering a recession. These concerns, combined with other bearish factors, have made individual investors the most pessimistic about the S&P 500's outlook in recent history. According to the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) survey, the share of bearish sentiment surged from 40.5% to 61% in just one week, marking the highest level since September 2022.

Money continues to flee the US stock market, especially since alternative opportunities abound. Delays in tariffs have fueled rallies in European and Chinese stock indices. Meanwhile, the AI hype is no longer enough to sustain investor interest in US tech giants, given rising competition from abroad. Finally, as the S&P 500 tumbles, rising US Treasury prices provide an attractive domestic alternative for capital allocation.

US equity and bond yield trends

This image is no longer relevant

This image is no longer relevant

Capital flight is a major blow to the broad market index. There's hope that Trump's tariff threats won't materialize, but for now, investors are poised to play safe.

From a technical standpoint, the S&P 500 continues to develop a Broadening Wedge pattern on the daily chart. The short positions initiated at 6,083 and reinforced at 6,000 should be maintained, especially since the first of the two previously mentioned targets at 5,830 and 5,750 is now within reach.

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

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

Markets Have Found the Culprits

If you don't get it the first time, you will the second. The S&P 500 sell-off, led by U.S. and foreign automaker shares, continued a second day after the imposition

Marek Petkovich 08:19 2025-03-28 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on March 28? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

A fair number of macroeconomic events are scheduled for Friday, but we believe they will likely trigger only a localized market reaction. The UK will publish Q4 GDP data

Paolo Greco 06:26 2025-03-28 UTC+2

GBP/USD Pair Overview – March 28: The Pound Barely Fell Before Rising Again

The GBP/USD currency pair traded higher again on Thursday, even though a semblance of a downward correction had begun just a few days earlier. The market had already digested

Paolo Greco 03:00 2025-03-28 UTC+2

EUR/USD Pair Overview – March 28: Donald Trump Loves Surprises

The EUR/USD currency pair maintained its downward bias on Thursday, although it traded higher throughout the day. Volatility remained low once again, indicating weak market activity. However, traders had enough

Paolo Greco 03:00 2025-03-28 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Trump Sends the Dollar into Knockdown Again

The EUR/USD pair is experiencing a correction following Donald Trump's latest statements, as he has once again reignited the tariff war. Interestingly, the greenback initially reacted positively to the president's

Irina Manzenko 23:44 2025-03-27 UTC+2

Gold Knows the Path to Victory

Gold was not a market favorite following Donald Trump's victory in the November elections. In fact, it pulled back once the red wave became clear and the Republican's return

Marek Petkovich 10:55 2025-03-27 UTC+2

XAU/USD – Analysis and Forecast

Gold continues to hold its intraday gains, trading near the weekly high around the $3036 level. This is due to several factors, including uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy

Irina Yanina 10:44 2025-03-27 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.