empty
20.01.2025 09:02 AM
The Market Finds Shelter

The S&P 500 achieved its best weekly performance since the November U.S. presidential election, just before Donald Trump's inauguration. Initially, investors worried that his protectionist policies could negatively impact the U.S. economy. However, they now believe that the potential benefits from deregulation and fiscal stimulus will outweigh the drawbacks. Is this wishful thinking?

The broad market index surged by 4.7% during the week ending January 17, fueled by a strong start to the corporate earnings season and a 0.2% month-over-month decline in core inflation in the U.S. Major banks such as JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup reported positive fourth-quarter earnings, alleviating investor concerns. The likelihood of the Federal Reserve refraining from rate cuts in 2025—or even increasing rates—has decreased, boosting confidence in two expected monetary easing actions this year. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) official Christopher Waller even suggested the possibility of easing monetary policy in March.

Weekly S&P 500 Performance

This image is no longer relevant

Bank of America suggests that U.S. equities could benefit from Donald Trump's return to the White House. During his first term, Trump viewed the performance of U.S. stock indices as a measure of his effectiveness, and it is unlikely that this perspective will change from 2025 to 2028. UBS Global Wealth Management estimates a 9% increase in corporate earnings this year, which could push the S&P 500 to 6,600.

According to Jefferies, since 1929, the S&P 500 has historically followed a zigzag pattern during presidential inaugurations, averaging gains of 8.3% and 9.5% six and twelve months, respectively, after a new president takes office.

In the early days of Trump's second term, investors will consider the impacts of tariffs and anti-immigration policies alongside the potential benefits of fiscal stimulus and deregulation. It appears that the new president may begin by implementing import tariffs, setting this term apart from his previous one.

Market Expectations for Fed Policy

This image is no longer relevant

During his term from 2017 to 2020, Trump stimulated the economy through tax cuts but later resorted to tariffs and trade wars, which ultimately slowed down growth. This time, the sequence may be reversed. Import tariffs are likely to accelerate inflation and hinder economic growth, even though the current outlook remains strong. For example, the IMF predicts that U.S. GDP will grow by 2.8% in 2024. Consequently, uncertainty regarding the Federal Reserve's policy stance could increase, with derivatives currently indicating a 25% probability of a federal funds rate hike.

On the daily chart, the market illustrated the principle: "If the market does not move as expected, it is likely to move in the opposite direction." After an unsuccessful attempt to break below the lower boundary of the triangle, the market successfully breached the upper boundary. A strong test of resistance at 6010 could justify expanding long positions that were initiated at 5930.

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

Japan on the Brink of Recession

The GDP report published on Thursday revealed that Japan's economy contracted by 0.7% year-over-year in the first quarter—its first annual decline in the past year and significantly worse than expected

Kuvat Raharjo 11:00 2025-05-16 UTC+2

Investors Continue Digesting the Impact of the Tariff Truce Between the U.S. and China (There Is a Chance of Renewed Corrective Decline in Gold and Oil Prices)

Markets have fully priced in the outcome of the U.S.–China talks, which resulted in a 90-day trade truce. Weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data offset the early-week optimism. The recent rally lost

Pati Gani 10:49 2025-05-16 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 16? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Few macroeconomic events are scheduled for Friday, and they are not more significant than the reports released on Thursday, which did not provoke any market reaction. In essence, the only

Paolo Greco 06:17 2025-05-16 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 16: The Market Has No Desire to Sell

The GBP/USD currency pair traded sideways on Thursday with low volatility—typical behavior for the pound over the past month. First, there was a classic flat range; now, we see "swings"

Paolo Greco 03:54 2025-05-16 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 16: The Dollar Remains the World's "Number One Currency"

The EUR/USD currency pair moved in both directions on Thursday but ultimately remained below the moving average line. Its position beneath the moving average allows us to expect further strengthening

Paolo Greco 03:54 2025-05-16 UTC+2

Are Things Really So Optimistic with the Deals with China and the UK?

Last week, Donald Trump announced the signing of the first deal with the United Kingdom under his "America's Liberation" campaign. It was later revealed that the deal had not been

Chin Zhao 00:40 2025-05-16 UTC+2

The Euro Didn't End Up in the Junkyard

Chinese goods have flooded the European market, but EUR/USD bulls aren't alarmed by this. While the U.S. has reduced tariffs on imports from China, the weighted average tariff still sits

Marek Petkovich 00:39 2025-05-16 UTC+2

AUD/USD Outlook: Australia's Economic Momentum Fades

The monthly NAB Business Survey showed that the positive momentum which drove GDP growth of 1.3% y/y in Q1 is fading. Business confidence improved slightly but remains in negative territory

Kuvat Raharjo 19:49 2025-05-15 UTC+2

GBP/USD. The Pound Ignores the UK's Optimistic GDP Report

The UK's economic growth report released today offered support to GBP/USD buyers, although the market's reaction was muted. Traders are reluctant to open large positions ahead of today's speech

Irina Manzenko 19:38 2025-05-15 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold is attempting to stay above its 50-period Simple Moving Average (SMA). However, optimism sparked by the de-escalation of the U.S.–China trade war — involving the world's two largest economies

Irina Yanina 19:17 2025-05-15 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.