empty
18.02.2025 10:44 AM
Stock Market on February 18th: S&P 500 and NASDAQ Continue Steady Growth

U.S. stock index futures continue to show confident growth, driven by optimism surrounding high-level talks between the U.S. and Russia. S&P 500 futures rose by 0.4%, while the tech-heavy NASDAQ gained more than 0.5%. Asian indices are also trading higher, though European stock futures declined amid concerns over the Ukraine negotiations.

This image is no longer relevant

The mainland China stock index and a broad Asian equity benchmark slipped into negative territory, while technology stocks listed in Hong Kong also corrected from nearly three-year highs.

As noted earlier, high-level negotiations between the U.S. and Russia begin today in Saudi Arabia, aimed at discussing ways to end the Ukraine conflict. Notably, these talks will take place without any Ukrainian representatives.

Market Reaction and Bond Yields

Meanwhile, currency traders appear to be exercising patience, favoring the U.S. dollar, which has strengthened against all G10 currencies. The stronger dollar has also put pressure on the bond market. Investors returning from the Presidents' Day holiday are reassessing risk amid the prospect of higher interest rates for an extended period. This has pushed up yields across the U.S. Treasury curve, particularly on short- and medium-term bonds, which are the most sensitive to shifts in monetary policy.

Market reactions underscore growing concerns over inflation trends and whether the Federal Reserve can achieve its 2% inflation target. Uncertainty surrounding the Fed's next moves, coupled with stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data, is forcing market participants to adjust their expectations regarding the timing of potential rate cuts. In the near term, Treasury yield dynamics will depend on upcoming economic data releases, including inflation figures, employment reports, and consumer spending data.

China's Market Response and Policy Shift

Chinese stocks gained earlier during the Asian session following a meeting between President Xi Jinping and business leaders on Monday. Some analysts interpreted the gathering as a potential turning point, signaling an end to years of regulatory crackdowns on the private sector. The meeting attracted some of the biggest names in Chinese business, spanning semiconductors, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence. This summit showcased Beijing's softened stance toward private enterprises, which remain a driving force of China's economy.

In Europe, investors are also awaiting the outcome of negotiations in Saudi Arabia, which follow last week's notable phone conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

This image is no longer relevant

Commodities Market Outlook

On the commodities front, oil stabilized after OPEC+ delegates stated that the group is considering delaying production increases. Gold maintained its upward trend, having risen 0.5% on Monday. Analysts at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. have raised their year-end gold price target to $3,100 per ounce, citing strong central bank purchases and increased inflows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Technical Outlook for S&P 500

Demand for U.S. equities remains strong. The key objective for buyers today is to break through the nearest resistance level at $6,138. A successful breakout would extend the uptrend, paving the way for a move toward $6,152. Maintaining control above $6,169 would further strengthen bullish momentum.

However, if risk appetite declines and the market pulls back, buyers must step in around $6,127. A break below this level would quickly push the index back to $6,117, potentially opening the door for a deeper decline toward $6,107.

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 on April 11: S&P 500 and Nasdaq plunge

US equity markets ended Thursday's regular session with steep losses. The S&P 500 dropped 3.46%, the Nasdaq 100 fell 4.31%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.50%

Jakub Novak 13:41 2025-04-11 UTC+2

Update on US stock market on April 11. Major pullback after strong rally. Market regains consciousness.

S&P500 Snapshot of the US benchmark stock indices on Thursday: * Dow -2.5%, * NASDAQ -4.3%, * S&P 500 -3.5% The S&P 500 closed at 5,268, within the range

Jozef Kovach 12:00 2025-04-11 UTC+2

Stocks skyrocket after Trump's tariff delay

The US stock market just experienced one of the most powerful waves of optimism in recent years. On Wednesday, following a statement from President Donald Trump, major stock indices posted

Anna Zotova 15:10 2025-04-10 UTC+2

US market rebounds strongly, but Trump's trade war with China remains unresolved

S&P 500 Overview for April 10 US market rebounds strongly, but Trump's trade war with China remains unresolved Major US indices on Wednesday: Dow +8%, NASDAQ +12%, S&P 500 +9.5%

Jozef Kovach 11:45 2025-04-10 UTC+2

Update on US stock market on April 10. SP500 and NASDAQ grow like mad

At the close of yesterday's regular trading session, US stock indices ended with solid gains. The S&P 500 jumped by 9.52%, while the Nasdaq 100 surged by 12.15%. The industrial

Jakub Novak 11:31 2025-04-10 UTC+2

US and China engaged in fierce battle: markets slump, high-tech stocks bruised, gold stands tall

Global markets are once again in turmoil: the escalation of the trade war between the US and China has slammed stock markets, gold is breaking records, Meta is mired

Аlena Ivannitskaya 15:56 2025-04-09 UTC+2

US markets attempt to stabilize at key support levels

S&P 500 The market tries to hold support Main US indices on Tuesday: Dow -0.8%, NASDAQ -2.2%, S&P 500 -1.6%, S&P 500 at 4983, range 4800–5700. It was another volatile

Jozef Kovach 10:44 2025-04-09 UTC+2

Stock Market Overview for April 9: S&P 500 and NASDAQ Return to Annual Lows

Following Tuesday's regular trading session, U.S. stock indices closed with another decline, ending just a step away from their annual lows. The S&P 500 dropped by 1.57%, the Nasdaq

Jakub Novak 09:22 2025-04-09 UTC+2

US market: real reason behind Trump's tariffs revealed. Part 1

S&P 500 Overview for April 8 US market: real reason behind Trump's tariffs revealed. Part 1 Major US indices on Monday: Dow -0.9%, NASDAQ +0.1%, S&P 500 -0.2%, S&P

Jozef Kovach 13:50 2025-04-08 UTC+2

US market sees sharp rebound. Part 2

S&P 500 Overview for April 8 US market sees sharp rebound. Part 2 Major US indices on Monday: Dow -0.9%, NASDAQ +0.1%, S&P 500 -0.2%, S&P 500: 5,062, trading range

Jozef Kovach 13:04 2025-04-08 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.