empty
18.03.2025 01:11 PM
Stock market overview on March 18: S&P 500 and Nasdaq rise for second day

US stock indices closed with solid gains yesterday. The S&P 500 rose by 0.64%, while the Nasdaq 100 added 0.31%.

Asian stocks are also up for the third day, driven by gains in Japan and Hong Kong. Investors continue shifting toward non-US assets due to uncertainty caused by Donald Trump's policies. Hong Kong's indices gained about 2%, supported by a record surge in BYD Co. shares. The company unveiled a new EV charging system yesterday, which triggered stock purchases. Meanwhile, Japan's indices rose by over 1% after Berkshire Hathaway Inc. increased its stakes in the country's largest companies, reinforcing expectations of long-term growth.

This image is no longer relevant

During today's Asian session, US index futures corrected slightly, while European markets moved higher. Investors are exploring alternatives after the US stock market plunged earlier this month. Chinese and Japanese stocks have emerged as key buying opportunities. China's focus on stimulating domestic consumption should make its economy less vulnerable to Trump's tariff policies, further fueling demand for riskier assets. Positive rhetoric from Beijing is supporting Asian markets, and increased investments from figures like Warren Buffett could attract more major players.

Gold surged to a new all-time high, exceeding $3,017 per ounce. Meanwhile, the yield on 10-year US Treasury bonds dipped below 4.29% as the Federal Reserve begins its two-day policy meeting today.

Japan's stock market also gained ahead of the Bank of Japan's upcoming decision. The central bank is expected to keep interest rates at 0.5%, which could temporarily weaken the yen against the US dollar.

In Europe, German lawmakers will vote today on a bill that could unlock hundreds of billions of euros for defense and infrastructure spending. If passed, the euro may strengthen further, signaling a broader shift in Europe toward easing fiscal controls.

As for macroeconomic data, US retail sales rose less than expected yesterday, with the previous reading revised downward. However, the so-called control group sales, which factor into GDP calculations, grew by 1% last month.

As for commodities, oil prices are rising for the third straight day as escalating tensions in the Middle East overshadow concerns about potential global oversupply.

This image is no longer relevant

Technical outlook for the S&P 500

The decline in the S&P 500 continues. Buyers' main objective today is to break through the nearest resistance at $5,670, which could pave the way for higher growth and, push the asset toward $5,692. A key aim for bulls is also maintaining control over $5,715, which would strengthen their position.

If demand for risk weakens, buyers must defend the $5,645 area. A breakout below this level could quickly push the index down to $5,617, opening the door for a further drop to $5,586.

Jakub Novak,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Summary
Urgency
Analytic
Pavel Vlasov
Start trade
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 poised to pull back after three months of steady rally

July ends with another victory for the bulls: the S&P 500 closed higher for a third consecutive month, reaching a new all-time high at 6,427. But the triumph feels tainted

Anna Zotova 12:39 2025-08-01 UTC+2

US stock market on August 1: S&P 500 and NASDAQ extended their decline

US stock indices ended lower again yesterday, with the S&P 500 falling by 0.37% and the Nasdaq 100 slipping by 0.04%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 0.43%. Global

Jakub Novak 10:37 2025-08-01 UTC+2

Stock market as of July 31: S&P 500 and Nasdaq hold ground

At the end of the previous trading session, US stock indices closed mixed. The S&P 500 slipped by 0.12%, while the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.15%. The industrial Dow Jones declined

Jakub Novak 10:06 2025-07-31 UTC+2

Bank of Japan meeting and three more signals you can't afford to miss this week

Global markets are overwhelmed by turbulence: investors are weighing the risks of a renewed plunge in the yen amid political uncertainty and the upcoming Bank of Japan meeting. Meanwhile, Brent

Аlena Ivannitskaya 13:22 2025-07-30 UTC+2

US equities: overbought territory or new normal?

While the US stock market pulls back from another all-time high, the Buffett indicator continues to set fresh records. To recap, Warren Buffett's indicator reflects the ratio

Jakub Novak 10:48 2025-07-30 UTC+2

Stock market on July 30: SP500 and NASDAQ continue their corrections

US stock indices ended last Friday in decline. The S&P 500 dropped by 0.30%, and the Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.30%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.46%. Asian equities

Jakub Novak 09:24 2025-07-30 UTC+2

Update on US stock market on July 29. SP500 and NASDAQ going through correction

US stock indices closed mixed last Friday. The S&P 500 inched up by 0.02%, while the Nasdaq 100 added 0.33%. The industrial Dow Jones declined by 0.14%. Asian stocks have

Jakub Novak 09:28 2025-07-29 UTC+2

Stock market on July 28: S&P 500 and NASDAQ set fresh all-time highs

Last Friday, US stock indices closed higher. The S&P 500 rose by 0.40%, while the Nasdaq 100 added 0.20%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average strengthened by 0.47%. The record-breaking rally

Jakub Novak 09:29 2025-07-28 UTC+2

July 25 Stock Market Update: S&P 500, NASDAQ pause after rally

As of July 25, US equity indices posted a mixed performance. The S&P 500 edged up by 0.07%, while the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.17%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped

Jakub Novak 11:17 2025-07-25 UTC+2

Trump strikes deal with Japan — and other key headlines shaping your portfolio

Markets are bracing for a new wave of disruption: Trump seals a tariff deal with Japan, Apple dodges multimillion-dollar fines, Amazon challenges Meta and OpenAI, and AstraZeneca builds a pharma

Аlena Ivannitskaya 13:14 2025-07-23 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.