empty
18.04.2025 08:00 AM
Stock Market Outlook for April 18: S&P 500 and NASDAQ Attempt to Stabilize

At the close of the previous regular trading session, U.S. stock indices ended mixed. The S&P 500 rose by 0.13%, while the Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.13%. The industrial Dow Jones lost 1.33%.

This image is no longer relevant

Asian indices gained slightly today as investors mostly adopted a wait-and-see approach, anticipating further news related to tariff negotiations. Uncertainty in trade policy—especially between the world's largest economies—is exerting significant pressure on the markets. As a result, companies are postponing major investment decisions, fearing that new tariffs could significantly affect their profitability and competitiveness. This cautious stance by investors is also reflected in trading volumes, which remain relatively low. Many prefer to maintain liquidity to respond quickly to any shifts in the situation.

Japan's Nikkei-225 rose by 0.8%, while indices on mainland China fell by 0.4% after the U.S. introduced tariffs on Chinese vessels docking at American ports. Given that most other markets in the region are closed today due to Good Friday, volatility is expected to remain relatively low.

However, as noted above, traders will stay focused on the progress of negotiations with specific countries, looking for clues as to how tariff policy will evolve going forward. Following what Trump called "major progress" in talks between Japan and the U.S., similar progress is expected in discussions with the European Union. However, no details have been released, meaning it may all remain just loud rhetoric from Trump.

The yen remained largely unchanged on Friday after weakening in the previous session. Japan's lead negotiator stated that currencies were not discussed during the bilateral meeting, which eased concerns that a stronger exchange rate would become part of the U.S. demands.

While Trump did not provide specifics about any agreement with the EU, he was adamant about the importance of a U.S.-Ukraine deal on minerals, claiming it would be signed next week. Claims like these have been circulating since February this year, limiting their informational value. The U.S. president also said he doesn't want to keep raising tariffs on China, which could halt trade between the two countries.

But words are one thing—actions are another. Immediately after saying he didn't want to escalate tariffs, the administration imposed duties on Chinese ships entering U.S. ports, threatening to disrupt global shipping routes and intensify the trade war between the world's two largest economies. As a result, shares of shipping companies in Japan and South Korea—such as Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. and HMM Co.—reacted sharply to the news with losses.

This image is no longer relevant

Yesterday, Trump even criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on social media, stating that removing him from office could happen fairly quickly and that the central bank should have already lowered interest rates this year. Later, Trump told reporters he could force Powell to resign if he wanted to.

As for the S&P 500 technical picture, the key task for buyers today will be to break through the nearest resistance at $5305. This would support continued growth and open the way toward $5342. Maintaining control over $5399 is another top priority for the bulls, as it would strengthen their position. If risk appetite fades and the index starts moving lower, buyers must defend the $5296 level. A breakdown of this area would quickly push the instrument back to $5226 and open the path toward $5195.

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

Stock Market on May 30th: S&P 500 and NASDAQ Resume Decline

At the close of the latest regular session, U.S. stock indices posted modest gains. The S&P 500 rose by 0.40%, the Nasdaq 100 added 0.39%, and the Dow Jones Industrial

Jakub Novak 10:45 2025-05-30 UTC+2

US Market: Court overturns trump tariffs

S&P 500 Market overview on 29.05 A federal court in the US has struck down all of former President Trump's trade tariffs. Major US indices on Wednesday: Dow -0.6%, NASDAQ

Jozef Kovach 12:53 2025-05-29 UTC+2

Stock Market on May 29th: S&P 500 and Nasdaq Pause Their Rally

At the close of the most recent regular trading session, U.S. stock indices posted modest losses. The S&P 500 declined by 0.56%, the Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.71%

Jakub Novak 11:04 2025-05-29 UTC+2

Navigating dollar surge and tech turmoil: key entry points for traders

Volatility has returned to financial markets. The dollar staged a sharp rally, driving down the yen, euro, and Swiss franc, but beneath the surface lies a web of unsettling signals

Аlena Ivannitskaya 11:44 2025-05-28 UTC+2

Update on US stock market on May 28

S&P500 US stock market is showing buoyant growth Snapshot of major US stock indices on Tuesday: Dow Jones: +1.8% NASDAQ: +2.5% S&P 500: +2.1% S&P 500 at 5,921

Jozef Kovach 10:38 2025-05-28 UTC+2

Stock Market on May 28th: S&P 500 and NASDAQ Continue Their Rapid Rally

Following the most recent regular session, U.S. stock indices closed with strong gains. The S&P 500 rose by 2.00%, while the Nasdaq 100 added 2.47%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average

Jakub Novak 09:43 2025-05-28 UTC+2

S&P 500 Forecast for May 28, 2025

The U.S. stock index, the S&P 500, has completed the correction that began on May 20. A sign of its completion is the price breakout above the inner boundary

Laurie Bailey 05:08 2025-05-28 UTC+2

Domestic Demand and Attractive Prices

The wave structure on the 24-hour chart for the #SPX instrument is generally easy to interpret. The global five-wave pattern doesn't even fit within the terminal window at the smallest

Chin Zhao 11:56 2025-05-27 UTC+2

Stock Market Update for May 27th: S&P 500 and NASDAQ Still Have Growth Potential

Following the most recent regular session, U.S. stock indices closed lower. The S&P 500 fell by 0.67%, while the Nasdaq 100 lost 1.00%. The industrial Dow Jones dropped by 0.61%

Jakub Novak 11:08 2025-05-27 UTC+2

Update on US stock market on May 27. Market picking up steam

S&P500 Snapshot of key US stock indices on Monday: Dow: -0%, NASDAQ: -0%, S&P 500: -0%, S&P 500 at 5802, with a trading range of 5400–6200. On Monday, US index

Jozef Kovach 10:40 2025-05-27 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.