empty
02.04.2025 09:16 AM
The Market Needs Proof

It's too late to be afraid. Rumors are circulating in the market that the White House may implement a universal 20% levy instead of reciprocal tariffs—pushing the average import duty to its highest level since the 1930s and triggering a global economic shock. Yet, the S&P 500 remains surprisingly calm and resilient on the eve of America's "Liberation Day." Why? And how will the broad stock index react to the event of the year?

There are several explanations for the S&P 500's resilience. Investors are confident that Donald Trump won't go too far. He is unlikely to pursue a tariff policy so aggressive that it would threaten U.S. economic growth. Investors must see more signs of a cooling U.S. GDP to continue selling the broader index. Finally, greater clarity on import tariffs will reduce uncertainty, which is good for stocks.

S&P 500 Trends and Forecasts

This image is no longer relevant

It's no surprise that while major banks and firms are lowering their forecasts for the S&P 500, they still expect the index to rise by year-end. Yardeni Research now sees a target of 6000 by the end of 2025, down from 6400; Societe Generale forecasts 6400 instead of 6750; and Goldman Sachs lowered its outlook to 5700 from 6200.

UBS Wealth Management believes the worst will happen in the short term, but tariffs will gradually be rolled back by midyear amid negotiations and concessions from other countries. This would create ideal conditions for a renewed uptrend in the S&P 500 between July and December. That scenario seems plausible—but what if other nations don't bend to the White House's demands? They could redirect exports elsewhere, with the U.S. ultimately suffering.

Indeed, the experience of Trump's first trade war with China shouldn't be used as a template. Back then, Washington's allies were largely supportive, and fiscal stimulus helped supercharge the U.S. economy just before the tariffs were implemented. A key difference now is the significantly higher spike in trade policy uncertainty compared to eight years ago.

U.S. Trade Policy Uncertainty Index Trends

This image is no longer relevant

This image is no longer relevant

According to the U.S. administration, tariffs will take effect the day they're announced. The S&P 500's reaction will largely depend on the scale of those tariffs. Only across-the-board 20% levies are likely to shake the index. On the other hand, reciprocal tariffs targeting a group of countries could trigger a rebound in U.S. equities as investors rush to buy the dip.

From a technical perspective, the S&P 500 continues to form a Double Bottom pattern on the daily chart. A breakout above the 5670 resistance level would provide an opportunity to build long positions opened during the drop toward the lower end of the 5500–5790 trading range. Conversely, if bulls fail to break through fair value resistance, it would signal weakness.

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

Powell, Trump, and Everyone Else

What will change with the arrival of a new Federal Reserve Chair? This is a rather important question, and the answer to it may already have implications for the U.S

Chin Zhao 00:08 2025-06-27 UTC+2

AUD/USD. Resistance Level 0.6600 on the Horizon

The Australian dollar tested a significant resistance level at 0.6550 on Thursday, which corresponds to the upper line of the Bollinger Bands indicator on the D1 timeframe. This

Irina Manzenko 00:08 2025-06-27 UTC+2

USD/JPY. Analysis, Forecast, and Current Market Situation

Intraday demand for the Japanese yen remains steady, accompanied by broad-based U.S. dollar weakness, contributing to the decline in the USD/JPY pair. Rising expectations that the Bank of Japan

Irina Yanina 12:55 2025-06-26 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold prices are showing moderate gains for the second consecutive day, though they remain below the 3,350-dollar level. Intraday demand for the Japanese yen persists alongside broad U.S. dollar weakness

Irina Yanina 12:34 2025-06-26 UTC+2

USD/CHF. Analysis and Forecast

The USD/CHF pair has remained under pressure for the fourth consecutive day, falling back to levels last seen in 2011. Bearish sentiment toward the U.S. dollar persists amid concerns over

Irina Yanina 12:04 2025-06-26 UTC+2

Trump Again Criticizes the Fed for Being Too Slow

On Wednesday, the U.S. dollar sharply declined against major currencies after President Donald Trump stated that he has three or four candidates in mind to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome

Jakub Novak 10:59 2025-06-26 UTC+2

Investors Recall the Chronic Weakness of the Dollar (Further Decline in #USDX and USD/JPY Possible)

The markets continue to be dominated by the theme of Iran-Israel negotiations, previously initiated by the United States. Whether actual agreements are reached or not will have a noticeable impact

Pati Gani 09:19 2025-06-26 UTC+2

The Market Has Found a Cure for All Troubles

It seems that the heavens are aligned with Donald Trump's desires. The U.S. President's successes in the Middle East have led to a new perspective on the policies pursued

Marek Petkovich 09:04 2025-06-26 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on June 26? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Very few macroeconomic reports are scheduled for Thursday, and the market this week has shown a clear intention to continue the upward trend that has lasted for five months. Yesterday

Paolo Greco 07:16 2025-06-26 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – June 26: July 9 Is Approaching

The GBP/USD currency pair remained stagnant for most of Wednesday. Let's recall an old technical signal: if the price updates a significant extreme and immediately pulls back, there

Paolo Greco 03:39 2025-06-26 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.