empty
07.04.2025 09:44 AM
The Market Left Empty-Handed

The market appeared to have bottomed out; however, someone knocked from below. A two-day selloff triggered by Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs turned out to be the fourth-worst in the history of the broad stock index since its inception in 1957. The 10.5% drop was only surpassed by the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the Lehman Brothers collapse in 2008, and Black Monday in 1987. This current plunge has wiped out $6.6 trillion in U.S. stock market capitalization — yet no one is rushing to buy the dip. It could still get worse.

Historically, during recessions, the forward price-to-earnings ratio for the S&P 500 has averaged around 15.6. Despite the March selloff, this figure still sits at 23. The market has significant potential to decline further, preventing investors from attempting to "catch falling knives."

S&P 500 P/E Ratio Trends During Recessions

This image is no longer relevant

The bearish drivers haven't gone anywhere — in fact, Trump's massive tariffs have only intensified them. JPMorgan forecasts a 0.3% contraction in U.S. GDP for 2025, revising its previous estimate of +1.3% to a recession scenario. And even though Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent points to a strong labor market and claims no signs of an economic downturn, investors remain skeptical. While March employment figures were surprisingly strong, January and February data were revised downward, and unemployment rose. This may well be the calm before the storm.

China's retaliation — a 34% tariff on U.S. imports — fueled the fire. It once seemed that China would be forced to concede again, as it did in 2018–2019. But this time, the U.S. is against the entire world, not just one country. Washington may end up empty-handed, especially since Beijing has hinted at large-scale stimulus to soften the tariff blow. Europe is heading in the same direction, maintaining the attractiveness of equities in those regions and encouraging capital to shift away from North America.

And investors' behavior makes sense. Thanks to the strengthening dollar, Europeans have gained 490% on the S&P 500 over the past 15 years, while Americans earned just 390%. In contrast, European stock indices grew 220% in euros but only 150% in dollars. Pictet Asset Management is building its strategies based on the assumption that the USD index could decline by 10–15% over the next five years. So, is it surprising that capital flows eastward across the Atlantic?

Volatility Index Spreads (Fear Index Trends)

This image is no longer relevant

This image is no longer relevant

Moreover, the White House's tariffs appear to have hit U.S. equities harder than any other market. This is reflected in the VIX volatility index ratios, which have reached their highest levels since the pandemic.

Technically, on the daily S&P 500 chart, the risk of further correction increases toward the pivot levels at 4910 and 4925. Previously opened short positions in the broad index should be held and periodically increased.

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

What to Pay Attention to on May 30? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Several macroeconomic reports are set to be released on Friday, but none are deemed particularly significant. In Germany, the inflation report for May will be released, with expectations

Paolo Greco 06:51 2025-05-30 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 30: Justice Has Prevailed, but for How Long?

The GBP/USD currency pair closed below the moving average line on Thursday, and the dollar strengthened for three consecutive days. However, everything changed in the second half

Paolo Greco 03:51 2025-05-30 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 30: Checkmate to Donald Trump

The EUR/USD currency pair continued its slight downward movement on Thursday morning but surged sharply upward in the afternoon. We observed a strong emotional reaction from traders linked

Paolo Greco 03:51 2025-05-30 UTC+2

Trump's Authority Has Been Seriously Undermined

In this review, I will try to explore why the cancellation of Donald Trump's global tariffs is more likely to be negative for the U.S. dollar than positive. At first

Chin Zhao 00:51 2025-05-30 UTC+2

EUR/USD: FOMC Minutes, U.S. GDP, and the Legal Battle

The FOMC minutes released on Wednesday did not excite EUR/USD traders, leaving buyers and sellers unimpressed. The minutes reflected the key points from the accompanying statement and the main messages

Irina Manzenko 00:50 2025-05-30 UTC+2

The Dollar Puts on a Brave Face Amid Adversity

Don't look for a black cat in a dark room—especially if it isn't there. The verdict by the U.S. Court of International Trade declaring the White House's universal tariffs illegal

Marek Petkovich 00:50 2025-05-30 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

The decline in gold prices below the $3300 threshold has triggered a wave of weakness, with the precious metal struggling to regain momentum. Global risk sentiment received a strong boost

Irina Yanina 19:35 2025-05-29 UTC+2

Tariff court ruling fuels new market uncertainty

What is life if not a game? Markets, like children, no sooner master one game than they're handed another. In 2024, investors fixated on how many times the Fed would

Marek Petkovich 11:28 2025-05-29 UTC+2

Opposition to Trump Within the U.S. Intensifies (Potential for Continued Growth in #SPX and #NDX)

Domestic opposition to Donald Trump is gaining momentum, which could be an unpleasant surprise for the former president. This development may limit his efforts to reshape the U.S. economic landscape

Pati Gani 09:49 2025-05-29 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 29? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Very few macroeconomic reports are scheduled for Thursday. The macroeconomic event calendars for Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Eurozone are empty. Only the United States will release reports

Paolo Greco 06:58 2025-05-29 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.