empty
17.03.2025 02:49 PM
Stock market analysis on March 17: S&P 500 and Nasdaq remain under pressure

Futures on US stock indices declined after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the recent market drop "favorable," reinforcing expectations that the Trump administration is unlikely to intervene to stop the decline.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures fell by 0.6%. Meanwhile, the European Stoxx 600 index showed little change, while Asian indices gained on reports of strong consumption growth in China.

This image is no longer relevant

On Sunday, the US Treasury Secretary said he was not concerned about the drop in US stocks, even after the S&P 500 lost nearly $5 trillion in value. His comments were a clear blow to those hoping that President Donald Trump would take action to ease the market impact of his policies.

The statement raised concerns among Wall Street insiders, who had expected Bessent to serve as a moderating voice in Trump's administration, balancing the president's aggressive stance on tariffs. With no reassuring signals from administration officials, a further stock market correction appears increasingly likely.

Talks of a recession fueled by trade wars and protectionism continue to deter investors from riskier assets. Any negative trigger—be it weak economic data or aggressive government rhetoric—could accelerate sell-offs. Tired of ongoing uncertainty, investors are locking in profits, reinforcing the downward trend.

Geopolitical tensions remain high, adding to market anxiety. Events in the Middle East are creating a nervous backdrop, making it difficult to expect a sustained rally based on fundamental factors.

Oil prices climbed after China, the world's largest importer, announced plans to stimulate consumption by increasing household incomes. Meanwhile, the US prepared for further strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen.

The US dollar and Treasury bonds traded mixed.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that military strikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels will continue until the group stops attacking civilian and military ships in the Red Sea.

Investors are closely watching several central bank meetings in the coming days.

The Bank of Japan is expected to keep rates unchanged after last month's hike.

The Bank of England is also likely to leave its policy steady.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will announce the US interest rate decision on Wednesday. His key challenge is to reassure investors that the economy remains on solid ground while signaling the Fed's willingness to step in with support if needed.

This image is no longer relevant

As for the technical picture of the S&P 500, the downtrend continues. Today, buyers need to break through the $5,617 resistance level to sustain the rally and open the path toward $5,645. Securing control above $5,670 will further strengthen bullish momentum.

If risk appetite weakens, buyers must defend $5,586. A failure there could send the index quickly down to $5,552, with $5,520 as the next target.

Jakub Novak,
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

US stock market gains new bullish momentum. Investors grasp signal that downward correction over

S&P500 Market update on March 25 Snapshot of the US stock market on Monday: Dow +1.4%, NASDAQ +2.3%, S&P 500 +1.8%, S&P 500 trading at 5,767 in a range

Jozef Kovach 11:08 2025-03-25 UTC+2

Stock Market Under Threat of Decline

Yesterday, the S&P 500 stock index posted a solid gain of 1.76%, reaching the target level of 5769 (the low from January 13). At the same time, the signal line

Laurie Bailey 04:59 2025-03-25 UTC+2

S&P 500: from euphoria to collapse

The wave of optimism that swept through US stock markets following Donald Trump's re-election turned out to be short-lived. Euphoria quickly gave way to a deep correction amid escalating trade

Anna Zotova 13:55 2025-03-24 UTC+2

US stock market on March 24: SP500 and NASDAQ gathering steam in light of news on tariffs

Today, US and European stock futures are trading higher amid signs that the next round of tariffs from President Donald Trump may be more restrained than expected. Investors responded positively

Jakub Novak 10:42 2025-03-24 UTC+2

US market attempts to rebound. Prospects of US strike against Iran support oil prices

S&P 500 Overview for March 24 The US market is attempting to rebound Major US indices on Friday: Dow: +0.1%, NASDAQ: +0.5%, S&P 500: +0.1%,S&P 500: 5,667, trading range: 5,500–6,000

Jozef Kovach 10:15 2025-03-24 UTC+2

Stock Market Outlook for March 21st: S&P 500 and NASDAQ Under Pressure Again

At the close of yesterday's regular trading session, U.S. stock indices ended in the red. The S&P 500 fell by 0.22%, while the Nasdaq 100 lost 0.33%.Asian stock indices also

Jakub Novak 10:46 2025-03-21 UTC+2

US market in consolidation phase. Trump seeks Senate backing for Iran strikes

S&P 500 Overview for March 21 The US market entered a phase of consolidation on Thursday as it struggled to define its next direction. Major US indices on Thursday

Jozef Kovach 10:10 2025-03-21 UTC+2

Federal Reserve throws lifebuoy to stock market

The wave structure on the 24-hour chart for #SPX is fairly clear. The first and most important point is the large-scale five-wave structure, which is so wide that it barely

Chin Zhao 09:21 2025-03-21 UTC+2

US market rallies as Fed holds rates steady

S&P500 Overview for March 20 The US market rallied as the Fed left interest rates unchanged. Key US indices on Wednesday: Dow: +0.9%, NASDAQ: +1.4%, S&P 500: +1.1% (S&P

Jozef Kovach 11:19 2025-03-20 UTC+2

US stock market on March 20: S&P 500 and Nasdaq regain their footing

US stock indices ended the day with solid gains. The S&P 500 climbed by 1.1% and the Nasdaq 100 closed 1.41% up. At the moment, S&P 500 futures

Jakub Novak 09:30 2025-03-20 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.