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

Has Common Sense Prevailed? (High probability of #SPX growth and a drop in gold prices)

On Monday, the United States announced "significant progress" in trade talks with China following a two-day meeting in Switzerland over the weekend. Markets reacted to this news with a gap-up

Pati Gani 11:00 2025-05-12 UTC+2

GBP/USD. An Important Week for the Pound

The GBP/USD pair is again under pressure due to the broad strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Last week, the pound attempted to break into the 1.34 zone in reaction

Irina Manzenko 10:49 2025-05-12 UTC+2

The Market Will Face Reality

How quickly things change on the financial markets! Before America's Liberation Day, investors viewed the 10% universal import tariff as disastrous. Now, it's seen as the most favorable option

Marek Petkovich 09:18 2025-05-12 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 12? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are no macroeconomic events scheduled for Monday. Fundamental developments will also be limited, but at this point, it is entirely unclear which factors are influencing price formation. The pound

Paolo Greco 06:51 2025-05-12 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Weekly Preview. Prepare for Price Turbulence

The upcoming week promises to be volatile. First, the market will react to the results of the Geneva meeting between representatives of the US and China. Second, key reports

Irina Manzenko 05:34 2025-05-12 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 12: Business as Usual...

The GBP/USD currency pair moved slightly higher on Friday, although the British pound had no real reason to grow that day or throughout the week. Let us recall that

Paolo Greco 03:48 2025-05-12 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 12: The Dollar's Success Is Unstable

The EUR/USD currency pair slightly rebounded upward on Friday, and overall, it has been gradually sliding down for several weeks. The movement has been so sluggish that we recently classified

Paolo Greco 03:48 2025-05-12 UTC+2

US Dollar. Weekly Preview

The U.S. economic calendar for the upcoming week won't be overloaded with data. If we leave out the secondary reports, only April's Consumer Price Index (CPI) remains, which will

Chin Zhao 00:59 2025-05-12 UTC+2

British Pound. Weekly Preview

The wave pattern of the pound and the market's interest in the news currently reflect those of the euro. Last week, the market had a chance to reduce demand

Chin Zhao 00:59 2025-05-12 UTC+2

Euro Currency. Weekly Preview

Will the news background have any real significance in the upcoming week? In my opinion, the market seems largely uninterested in economic and fundamental data. Consider this: major events like

Chin Zhao 00:59 2025-05-12 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.