empty
03.06.2025 10:44 AM
Market startles monster

Over time, we get used to everything — the good and the bad. Investors have finally come to terms with the fact that they will have to build businesses under the constant uncertainty of White House policy for the next four years. Tariffs became increasingly predictable, as did Donald Trump's actions. He himself stated that he first hikes tariffs sky-high and then lowers them in exchange for concessions from other countries. Combined with the International Trade Court's ruling deeming the tariffs unlawful, this has allowed the S&P 500 to extend its climb.

Getting used to this new reality is reflected in the decline of the VIX volatility index, which had recently surged to pandemic-era extremes during America's Liberation Day. Now, it has returned to historical averages. Hence, there's little fear in the market.

VIX fear index dynamics

This image is no longer relevant

The S&P 500 shrugged off the escalation in trade tensions. First, Trump accused China of violating the terms of a previous agreement. Then, Beijing accused the US of doing the same. Trump's decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50% prompted retaliation threats from the European Union. Yet the market reacted with eerie calm.

But perhaps it's only apparent calm. The S&P 500 remains overvalued by historical standards. Based on the P/E ratio, the Magnificent Seven stocks trade at 27 times forward earnings, while the remaining 493 companies in the broad index trade at 19 times. The 25-year average stands at 16.5. Earnings growth expectations fell from 10% in January to 8.4% in March, and now to just 4% in May.

In April, a monster was awakened, the one the White House may find hard to rein in. The monster is the fear of the appalling national debt. The credit rating downgrade by Moody's, rising Treasury yields, and a proposed bill to tax non-resident investments in US securities have shaken the financial markets to their core.

Since 2008, net inflows into US stocks and bonds by foreigners have exceeded $26 trillion. American exceptionalism fueled both the S&P 500 rally and dollar strength. But Trump's protectionist policies are now triggering a reversal. Capital outflows could become a serious challenge for the broad equity index.

Net investment position of the US vs other countries

This image is no longer relevant

This image is no longer relevant

A rapid relocation of funds back to Europe and Asia appears likely if the Senate passes Trump's "big and beautiful" bill. This would put significant pressure on the S&P 500. That said, June might bring some calm. Over the past 50 years, the broad market index has risen by just 0.2% on average during the first month of summer — four times slower than in other months, where gains average 0.8%.

Technically, the S&P 500's daily chart shows an attempt to restore the uptrend. The current strategy remains relevant: buy from 5,945, sell from 5,840. The strategy is based on the 1-2-3 pattern and Splash formation.

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

GBP/USD Overview – June 24: No Confirmation of Destruction

The GBP/USD currency pair also traded relatively calmly on Monday. While there were some price "swings," many traders and analysts had expected a much more significant move. The dollar strengthened

Paolo Greco 03:45 2025-06-24 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – June 24: Iran Exits Talks and Launches a Retaliatory Strike

The EUR/USD currency pair traded extremely calmly on Monday, considering the intense fundamental backdrop that developed over the weekend. Recall that over the weekend, Donald Trump once again "changed

Paolo Greco 03:45 2025-06-24 UTC+2

Trump Keeps Hitting a Wall

There's a saying: "An irresistible force meets an immovable object." It describes an irreconcilable standoff where neither side is willing to compromise. In my view, Trump's "scythe," with which

Chin Zhao 00:12 2025-06-24 UTC+2

Should We Expect De-escalation in the Middle East?

The market has absorbed the news of U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities quite resiliently. Why did this happen, and why was the reaction relatively muted? These questions are unlikely

Chin Zhao 00:12 2025-06-24 UTC+2

What Will Powell Say?

Starting June 24, Fed Chair Jerome Powell will address Congress over two days, delivering the semiannual monetary policy report. On Tuesday, he will speak before the Senate Banking Committee

Irina Manzenko 00:12 2025-06-24 UTC+2

The Euro Gets a Knife in the Back

Trouble never comes alone. European industry is beginning to lose steam after rapid growth driven by a front-loaded surge in U.S. imports. The euro area is a net oil importer

Marek Petkovich 00:11 2025-06-24 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Today, gold is attracting new sellers. Amid a sharp escalation in the conflict between Iran and Israel, the United States conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz

Irina Yanina 17:59 2025-06-23 UTC+2

USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast. The Japanese Yen Maintains an Intraday Bearish Outlook

Today, Monday, selling pressure on the Japanese yen dominates, driven by several factors. Traders continue to push back expectations of a potential rate hike by the Bank of Japan, assuming

Irina Yanina 17:56 2025-06-23 UTC+2

USD/CHF. Analysis and Forecast

At the moment, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) has reached a new two-week high, driven by hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve. The U.S. central bank has maintained its forecast

Irina Yanina 17:51 2025-06-23 UTC+2

Bitcoin longing for new highs, but something stymies

Bitcoin was created as a way to preserve value in times of turmoil, especially against the backdrop of weakening fiat currencies. It was believed that the arrival of institutional investors

Marek Petkovich 12:23 2025-06-23 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.