empty
20.02.2025 10:23 AM
The Market Sets Record After Record

The S&P 500 has reached a new all-time high, ignoring the Federal Reserve's commitment to maintain the federal funds rate at 4.5% for an extended period. The minutes from the latest FOMC meeting did not significantly impact investors. Instead, they focused on Donald Trump's comments about the possibility of a trade deal with China and his support for the House of Representatives' $4.5 trillion tax cut proposal. The potential for fiscal stimulus, combined with the absence of a trade war, provides strong support for the ongoing rally in the broader stock index.

S&P 500 Performance

This image is no longer relevant

The longer the Fed pauses its monetary easing cycle, the less pressure financial markets face. People adapt to both good and bad conditions. While monetary policy remains restrictive, the U.S. economy continues to show resilience, operating near full employment, which allows the country to sustain high interest rates. According to FOMC officials, rate cuts will begin once the downward inflation trend resumes.

Investor attention is increasingly focused on the specter of trade wars. The White House alternates between imposing tariffs and granting deferrals, leading markets to suspect that Donald Trump's threats are merely a negotiation tactic. Supporting this notion is the president's statement that a trade agreement with China remains possible. Notably, the Republican administration provided tariff relief to Mexico and Canada while maintaining a 10% tariff on Chinese imports.

Trump's threats to impose a 25% tariff on automobile imports have prompted the European Union to act. The EU is considering lowering its import duties, which currently stand at 10%—significantly higher than the U.S.'s 2.5% tariff. It's possible that Trump is not aiming to dismantle global trade but to push for an overall reduction in tariffs worldwide. If this is the case, risk assets stand to benefit.

U.S. protectionism and its potential retreat contribute to reduced volatility and a weaker U.S. dollar index, which is positive news for equities.

U.S. Dollar Volatility Performance

This image is no longer relevant

Market psychology indicates that the S&P 500's upward trend is not expected to be linear. After two years of rallies exceeding 20%, many investors have entered the market at elevated prices. If market shocks occur, these later buyers are likely to sell their holdings first, which could lead to volatile price fluctuations and consolidation within the broader stock index.

This image is no longer relevant

However, a new growth catalyst may soon emerge. The House of Representatives is reviewing a proposal to cut taxes by $4.5 trillion in exchange for a $2 trillion reduction in government spending and a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling.

From a technical standpoint, the S&P 500's daily chart indicates an uptrend recovery, supporting the continuation of long positions established from the 6,075 level. However, a drop below 6,100 with a close beneath this level would increase the risk of activating the Broadening Wedge pattern.

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 Likelihood of a Euro Reversal to the South Is Increasing

As expected, the ECB cut all key interest rates by a quarter-point, bringing the deposit rate down to 2.25%. At this meeting, no new staff projections were released, and given

Kuvat Raharjo 12:01 2025-04-23 UTC+2

Markets Await a Massive Rally if the U.S. Starts Real Negotiations with China (There is a likelihood of continued growth in #NDX and Ethereum)

A new wave of euphoria has swept through the markets. Many believe it's not a coincidence: take everything away from a person and then provide them with even the smallest

Pati Gani 09:03 2025-04-23 UTC+2

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

A considerable number of macroeconomic events are scheduled for Wednesday. All of them are Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) reports for April in the services and manufacturing sectors. The indices will

Paolo Greco 07:01 2025-04-23 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – April 23: The British Pound Can't Stop Smiling

On Tuesday, the GBP/USD currency pair traded much more calmly, yet again showed signs of a "maxed-out flat" pattern. As previously noted, the US dollar has only had two behaviors

Paolo Greco 04:56 2025-04-23 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – April 23: Another Calm Before Another Collapse?

The EUR/USD currency pair traded more calmly on Tuesday than on Monday. The US dollar managed to avoid another fall, but it's too early to celebrate. The greenback can collapse

Paolo Greco 04:56 2025-04-23 UTC+2

USD/JPY. On the Threshold of the 139th Figure

The USD/JPY pair has been in a consistent downtrend for the fourth consecutive week. On Tuesday, sellers pushed the pair to the edge of the 139.00 area, hitting the lowest

Irina Manzenko 00:46 2025-04-23 UTC+2

The Dollar Has Been Replaced. Nature Abhors a Vacuum

Fear paralyzes, but action persists. Investors are slowly overcoming their concerns over Donald Trump's attacks on the independence of the Federal Reserve and are starting to lock in profits

Marek Petkovich 00:08 2025-04-23 UTC+2

Bitcoin Took Its Chance

Slow and steady wins the race! Bitcoin quietly broke through to its highest levels since early March amid Donald Trump's attacks on Jerome Powell. When the independence of the Federal

Marek Petkovich 00:08 2025-04-23 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

After setting a new all-time high at $3500 under overbought conditions, gold prices are pulling back. Nevertheless, bullish sentiment remains strong due to persistent concerns over the potential economic fallout

Irina Yanina 19:02 2025-04-22 UTC+2

EUR/GBP. Analysis and Forecast

The EUR/GBP pair is losing ground today after two consecutive days of gains, trading near the psychological level of 0.8600. The pound is receiving support from optimism surrounding ongoing trade

Irina Yanina 11:52 2025-04-22 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.