empty
28.03.2025 09:19 AM
Markets Have Found the Culprits

If you don't get it the first time, you will the second. The S&P 500 sell-off, led by U.S. and foreign automaker shares, continued a second day after the imposition of 25% tariffs. Donald Trump threatened the European Union and Canada with retaliation should they respond jointly to the import duties, and companies have begun tallying up losses. The broad stock index is confidently moving toward the lower boundary of its medium-term trading range of 5500–5790, but blaming only the White House occupant for all its troubles would be misguided.

The sell-off of overvalued "Magnificent Seven" companies, slowing corporate profit growth, and a weakening U.S. economy contribute to a capital shift from North America to Europe. European indices are currently outperforming the S&P 500 by a wide margin. However, according to the world's largest asset manager, this advantage may not last long. BlackRock believes that Germany's fiscal stimulus will primarily benefit banks and defense companies — a very narrow group. Therefore, one shouldn't count on the EuroStoxx 50 and DAX 40 rally to continue at the same pace.

Performance of European vs. U.S. Stock Indices

This image is no longer relevant

By contrast, the U.S. stock market will likely receive a fresh boost once the situation surrounding Donald Trump's protectionist policies becomes clearer. Many companies will adapt to the tariffs, enabling the S&P 500 to grow again.

But first, the broad stock index would do well to shed some dead weight. In 2025, that weight comes from the "Magnificent Seven" stocks. Back in February, they were trading at 45 times forward earnings. Only the sell-off has brought the P/E ratio down to 35 — still high, though the 11% drop in that figure is striking.

Q1 earnings season kicks off in a few weeks, and Wall Street's 7.1% earnings forecast is impressive. But that's four percentage points lower than what experts were projecting at the end of 2024. The discrepancy in estimates is above the historical average. Forecasts have been cut across all 11 S&P 500 sectors, and earnings growth is expected to slow in nine.

Earnings Forecast Trends by S&P 500 Sectors

This image is no longer relevant

This image is no longer relevant

The stronger-than-expected Q4 GDP reading of 2.4% shouldn't be misleading. For January–March, Bloomberg analysts expect GDP growth to slow to 1–1.5%, and the Atlanta Fed's leading indicator signals an even weaker pace — just 0.2%. Inflation remains elevated, tying the Fed's hands and preventing the central bank from throwing markets a lifeline.

Technically, on the daily chart, the S&P 500 continues its previously forecasted move from the upper boundary of its consolidation range (5500–5790) toward the lower bound. It makes sense to hold and even build on short positions once support at 5670 is broken — especially since the Broadening Wedge pattern is playing out clearly.

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 June 27? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are relatively few macroeconomic reports scheduled for Friday. Some experts refer to the PCE indicator as "important" and "the Fed's favorite," but we do not share that view

Paolo Greco 07:02 2025-06-27 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – June 27: History Doesn't Repeat Itself

The GBP/USD currency pair continued its strong upward movement throughout Thursday. Since the beginning of the week, the U.S. dollar has lost "only" 330 pips. As we've previously stated

Paolo Greco 03:41 2025-06-27 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – June 27: Can Trump Balance the Trade Deficit?

The EUR/USD currency pair is in a "free rise" (similar to the term "free fall"). The dollar is once again plunging into the abyss, just as we repeatedly warned. It's

Paolo Greco 03:41 2025-06-27 UTC+2

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

Kiwi Rises Due to Dollar Weakness and a Possible Pause in RBNZ Rate Cuts

New Zealand's GDP grew by 0.8% in the first quarter, exceeding the forecast of 0.7%, and this was one of the reasons behind the renewed growth of the kiwi

Kuvat Raharjo 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
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.