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

AUD/USD: What Do the "Australian Nonfarm Payrolls" Tell Us?

Australia's labor market has exceeded expectations—nearly all components of the April employment report came out in the "green zone." While the release had a few flaws, it overall favored

Irina Manzenko 11:12 2025-05-15 UTC+2

The U.S.–China Trade War Pause Has Been Priced In — What's Next? (A Possible Correction in #SPX and Bitcoin)

On Thursday, a clear slowdown is observed in the stock market rally—one could even say it has stalled. This is due to the market having already priced in the 90-day

Pati Gani 11:07 2025-05-15 UTC+2

The Market Fears Nothing

From an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan, the S&P 500 has shifted from a highly overbought stock index in early April to a considerably oversold one. Since 1950, there

Marek Petkovich 09:20 2025-05-15 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 15? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

A relatively large number of macroeconomic events are scheduled for Thursday, but very few are likely to trigger a strong market reaction. The second estimate of Q1 GDP and industrial

Paolo Greco 06:21 2025-05-15 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 15: The Dollar's Ordeal Continues

The GBP/USD currency pair continued its upward movement on Wednesday, which had started the day before. Recall that on Tuesday, there were no strong fundamental reasons for a significant sell-off

Paolo Greco 03:41 2025-05-15 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 15: Market Confidence in the Dollar Is Practically Nonexistent

The EUR/USD currency pair continued its recovery on Wednesday despite an empty macroeconomic calendar. We are not counting the sole inflation report from Germany, as it initially had no potential

Paolo Greco 03:41 2025-05-15 UTC+2

The Dollar Is Sentenced

Rumors are swirling. The sharp rally in the South Korean won has sparked speculation that Washington is pressuring its trade partners to strengthen their currencies. Donald Trump has repeatedly stated

Marek Petkovich 00:38 2025-05-15 UTC+2

The Pound Consolidates, Another Attempt at Upward Movement Expected

The UK labor market report showed that wage growth remains high despite a slight slowdown— the three-month average declined from 5.9% to 5.6%, and including bonuses, it decreased from 5.7%

Kuvat Raharjo 00:38 2025-05-15 UTC+2

Yen Resumes the Trend

Be careful what you wish for. Markets interpreted the halving of Japan's GDP forecasts for fiscal years 2025/2026 as a signal that the Bank of Japan would not resume

Marek Petkovich 00:38 2025-05-15 UTC+2

The Euro Is Losing Direction

Inflation in the eurozone remained at 2.2% in April, slightly above the 2.1% forecast, due to a somewhat stronger increase in core inflation. This rise is partially attributed

Kuvat Raharjo 00:37 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.