empty
31.03.2025 10:58 AM
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, but the threat of a recession due to the White House's tariff policy is forcing them to sell toxic assets. This could lead to a significant correction in the broad stock index.

Daily dynamics of the S&P 500

This image is no longer relevant

US stock markets entered 2025 with a high level of optimism. However, the first quarter turned out to be the worst for the S&P 500 compared to European equities since 2015. It's no joke to say that investors in Europe have already lost 13% from the fall in the broad stock index and the weakening of the US dollar against the euro!

They have only themselves to blame. By the end of 2024, the share of US stocks owned by non-residents reached 20%, compared to 7% at the start of the century. The proportion of US-issued equities in global stock indices surged from 47% in 2008 to 72%! The retribution for excessive enthusiasm about American exceptionalism was inevitable.

The share of US stocks in global stock indices

This image is no longer relevant

The reason for the love of US stocks was the anemic growth of stock indices abroad, the rapid expansion of the US economy, and corporate profit growth driven by artificial intelligence technologies. Even with the latest sell-off, the S&P 500 has jumped 170% over the last decade. In comparison, the UK's FTSE 100 has only gained 30%. The US simply had no competitors.

They appeared in 2025. First and foremost, this refers to Europe. For the first time in years, the rationale for purchasing stocks issued in the Old World is not only their cheapness in terms of P/E. Germany's fiscal stimulus raises hopes for an economic boost. Besides, the belief in the imminent end of the armed conflict in Ukraine could release the region from geopolitical risks.

However, the EuroStoxx 600 will fall along with the S&P 500 by the end of March due to fears about import tariffs. According to sources from the Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump's mood has shifted again. One moment, he announces less severe mutual tariffs than investors had expected. Shortly after, he returns to the idea of universal tariffs and speculates about what the rates should be. The latter type of tariffs risks collapsing international trade and the global economy much faster than the mutual ones. Should we be surprised by sell-offs in stock markets worldwide?

This image is no longer relevant

Another drop in US consumer expectations to their lowest level since 2022, along with a rise in expected inflation, paints a stagflationary scenario for the US economy.

Technically, on the daily chart of the S&P 500, the success of the "bear" attack increases the risks of a further downtrend, rather than the previously forecasted consolidation in the range of 5,500 to 5,790. It would be wise to hold short positions opened during the rise to the upper border and then added from 5,670.

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

The Fed to Hold Rates Despite Pressure

The euro and the pound remain range-bound ahead of a key meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve, where officials are expected to leave interest rates unchanged as they await clarity

Jakub Novak 19:49 2025-05-07 UTC+2

USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

Today, the Japanese yen reached a new daily low, which contributed to the rise of the USD/JPY pair to nearly the 143.50 level. This increase is driven by positive global

Irina Yanina 19:33 2025-05-07 UTC+2

NZD/USD. Analysis and Forecast

The NZD/USD pair is pulling back from a more than two-week high in the 0.6025–0.6030 level. Currently, the quotes have fallen below the psychological level of 0.6000, signaling a pause

Irina Yanina 19:31 2025-05-07 UTC+2

U.S. Trade Deficit Hits Record High in March

The euro responded with an increase following the news that the U.S. trade deficit rose to a record level in March this year, as companies rushed to import goods, including

Jakub Novak 10:48 2025-05-07 UTC+2

Markets Will Not Be Dictated To

The market's eyes have finally opened. Donald Trump is not the kind of president who would lower tariffs in response to reciprocal reductions from other countries. The occupant

Marek Petkovich 09:56 2025-05-07 UTC+2

Is It Worth Hoping for a Strong Market Rally? (There is a high probability of continued growth in #SPX and #NDX)

Equity markets have improved, demand for cryptocurrencies has risen, yet gold prices dropped sharply after a local rally. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar has remained almost unchanged against major currencies

Pati Gani 09:28 2025-05-07 UTC+2

USD/JPY: Is Further Decline Inevitable?

The Bank of Japan left its monetary policy unchanged during the monetary policy meeting on May 1. In the "Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices" report, the Bank lowered

Kuvat Raharjo 09:28 2025-05-07 UTC+2

Gold Returns to Growth

Gold has resumed its upward movement as investors analyzed trade-related comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent while awaiting the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates. Bessent recently stated that

Jakub Novak 09:14 2025-05-07 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 7? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Very few macroeconomic events are scheduled for Wednesday, and in any case, they are unlikely to have any meaningful impact on either of the currency pairs. The euro remains

Paolo Greco 06:55 2025-05-07 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 7: Trump Didn't Get a Call from China, Had to Back Down

On Tuesday, while the euro remained stuck in a flat trend, the GBP/USD currency pair began a new upward move. The rally started on Monday, but during the U.S. session

Paolo Greco 03:35 2025-05-07 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.