empty
14.03.2025 03:06 PM
A New Problem Rises for America – The Debt Ceiling (Expecting #SPX and #NDX to Resume Their Decline After a Likely Short-Term Recovery)

The confrontation between the U.S. and the EU has entered a new phase. The U.S. president is taking a hardline approach toward Europe, effectively following a "tit for tat" strategy. After the EU decided to impose retaliatory tariffs, setting a 50% duty on U.S. imports of alcohol and other goods, Trump responded with a 200% counter-tariff. This escalating trade war between the U.S. and Europe has reached almost absurd proportions, yet its consequences are having a serious impact on investors and global financial markets.

Current investor sentiment toward geopolitical developments is clearly reflected in the performance of U.S. Treasury bonds, which have stabilized in yield amid extreme uncertainty about the future direction of U.S. policy. The yield on 10-year Treasury bonds has hovered just below 4.3% since early March, reflecting market indecision.

The Debt Ceiling: Another Risk for the Markets

Beyond trade wars, another major uncertainty is looming over the markets—the unresolved debt ceiling issue. Under Joe Biden's administration, this problem was simply resolved by raising the ceiling, but Trump's administration may not follow the same approach. Trump came to power not only with the slogan "Make America Great Again" but also with promises to implement a more responsible economic policy, aiming to cut government spending.

Amid this backdrop, some market voices are already warning of a potential U.S. default as early as this summer. If this scenario materializes, the U.S. economy could face severe financial pressure, leading to a decline in demand for American stocks. In such a situation, stock indices could suffer significant losses, and even a slowdown in inflation or a 0.25% Fed rate cut might not be enough to provide support.

If this issue remains unresolved and a U.S. default becomes inevitable, the S&P 500 broad-market index could plunge to the 4,000-point level—a key level from which the index rallied in spring 2023, driven by the attractiveness of U.S. assets amid the war in Ukraine and rising global geopolitical tensions.

What to Expect in the Markets Today?

The trade war narrative is likely to dominate the markets once again. After a possible short-term recovery in U.S. equities today, the market is likely to resume its decline. Neither lower consumer inflation nor slowing producer price inflation—which could support a 0.25% Fed rate cut—are likely to offset the uncertainty surrounding trade wars, the Ukraine conflict, and the U.S. debt ceiling issue. Investors are expected to remain highly cautious.

In this environment, gold prices will likely continue to rise, along with the U.S. dollar, while demand for cryptocurrencies will remain under pressure, along with crude oil prices.

Daily Forecast:

This image is no longer relevant

This image is no longer relevant

#SPX

The S&P 500 CFD contract may receive temporary support, rising toward 5,645.00 as traders lock in previous gains. However, a potential reversal to the downside could follow, leading to a drop toward 5,500.00.

#NDX

The NASDAQ 100 CFD contract could also receive temporary support, climbing to 19,740.00, driven by expectations surrounding U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine. However, the index may then reverse downward, with a potential decline toward 18,945.00.

Pati Gani,
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 – May 16: The Market Has No Desire to Sell

The GBP/USD currency pair traded sideways on Thursday with low volatility—typical behavior for the pound over the past month. First, there was a classic flat range; now, we see "swings"

Paolo Greco 03:54 2025-05-16 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 16: The Dollar Remains the World's "Number One Currency"

The EUR/USD currency pair moved in both directions on Thursday but ultimately remained below the moving average line. Its position beneath the moving average allows us to expect further strengthening

Paolo Greco 03:54 2025-05-16 UTC+2

Are Things Really So Optimistic with the Deals with China and the UK?

Last week, Donald Trump announced the signing of the first deal with the United Kingdom under his "America's Liberation" campaign. It was later revealed that the deal had not been

Chin Zhao 00:40 2025-05-16 UTC+2

The Euro Didn't End Up in the Junkyard

Chinese goods have flooded the European market, but EUR/USD bulls aren't alarmed by this. While the U.S. has reduced tariffs on imports from China, the weighted average tariff still sits

Marek Petkovich 00:39 2025-05-16 UTC+2

AUD/USD Outlook: Australia's Economic Momentum Fades

The monthly NAB Business Survey showed that the positive momentum which drove GDP growth of 1.3% y/y in Q1 is fading. Business confidence improved slightly but remains in negative territory

Kuvat Raharjo 19:49 2025-05-15 UTC+2

GBP/USD. The Pound Ignores the UK's Optimistic GDP Report

The UK's economic growth report released today offered support to GBP/USD buyers, although the market's reaction was muted. Traders are reluctant to open large positions ahead of today's speech

Irina Manzenko 19:38 2025-05-15 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold is attempting to stay above its 50-period Simple Moving Average (SMA). However, optimism sparked by the de-escalation of the U.S.–China trade war — involving the world's two largest economies

Irina Yanina 19:17 2025-05-15 UTC+2

USD/CHF. Analysis and Forecast

The USD/CHF pair continues to decline, facing headwinds. Intraday losses are driven by selling pressure on the U.S. dollar, pushing spot prices back below the key 0.8400 psychological level —

Irina Yanina 19:11 2025-05-15 UTC+2

AUD/USD: What Do the "Australian Nonfarm Payrolls" Tell Us?

Australia's labor market has exceeded expectations—nearly all components of the April employment report came out in the "green zone." While the release had a few flaws, it overall favored

Irina Manzenko 11:12 2025-05-15 UTC+2

The U.S.–China Trade War Pause Has Been Priced In — What's Next? (A Possible Correction in #SPX and Bitcoin)

On Thursday, a clear slowdown is observed in the stock market rally—one could even say it has stalled. This is due to the market having already priced in the 90-day

Pati Gani 11:07 2025-05-15 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.