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March 20, 2025

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Stock Market Shifts Gears: Indexes Plunge After Climb

Tuesday’s stock market action marked a reversal in investor sentiment, with the broader indexes closing lower. The S&P 500 ($SPX), Nasdaq Composite ($COMPQ), and Dow Jones Industrial Average ($INDU) are still below their 200-day simple moving average (SMA). Investor anxiety is elevated ahead of the Fed’s culmination of its two-day policy meeting. The risk-off sentiment is back, with gold and silver prices rallying. But it may not all be due to the risk-off mode, as lower US Treasury yields and the lower US dollar may have also played a role in the precious metal rally. The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) hit a new all-time high and silver prices are on the rise.

Technology and consumer discretionary were Tuesday’s worst-performing sectors, while Energy and Health Care took the lead but rose modestly. Overall, it was a pretty red day for U.S. equities (see the StockCharts MarketCarpet below).

FIGURE 1. A SEA OF RED. Tuesday’s StockCharts MarketCarpet was a sea of red with specks of green in the Energy and Health Care, Real Estate, Materials, and Industrials sectors.Image source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

The Mag 7 Unwind

The mega-cap, Mag 7 stocks stand out strongly in Tuesday’s MarketCarpet. The daily chart of the Roundhill Big Tech ETF (MAGS) below shows how these stocks are in a steep fall. The ETF fell below its 50-day SMA and struggled to retain its position above it. The fall from the 50-day to the 200-day SMA was like an elevator ride down. MAGS managed to find a little resistance at its 200-day SMA, but that was short-lived. 

FIGURE 2. ROUNDHILL BIG TECH ETF (MAGS) SLIDES BELOW 200-DAY MOVING AVERAGE. After sliding below its 50-day SMA, MAGS fell hard and continued sliding as it broke below the 200-day SMA.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

The rise in volume after MAGS fell below its 200-day SMA suggests there’s a lot more selling than buying. The relative strength index (RSI) is hovering above 30, which implies it isn’t oversold yet. So there’s a chance MAGS could fall lower, although it could reverse before dipping into oversold territory.

International Markets

Meanwhile, the iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI), iShares MSCI Germany (EWG), iShares MSCI Italy ETF (EWI), and other European stock ETFs are rising. The daily chart of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA), which has its top 10 holdings in European companies, is hitting all-time highs (see below).

FIGURE 3. DAILY CHART OF ISHARES MSCI EAFE ETF. European stocks have been rising since early 2025. The 50-day SMA has crossed above the 200-day and price is well above the 50-day SMA.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

With elevated tariff uncertainty, a slowdown in the U.S. economy, and declining U.S. consumer confidence, it shouldn’t be surprising to see investors diversifying their holdings across different asset groups. This reiterates the importance of having a diversified portfolio spread across different sectors, precious metals, international stocks, and bonds. 

The Closing Bell

Tuesday’s reversal after a two-day winning streak suggests investor uncertainty remains prominent. The Federal Reserve policy meeting ends on Wednesday. Chairman Powell’s press conference is the main event to listen to on Wednesday, but really, any headline could rock the markets in either direction. The best you can do is stay diversified.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

New SPX Correction Signal! How Long Will It Last?

In this exclusive StockCharts video, Joe breaks down a new SPX correction signal using the monthly Directional Lines (DI), showing why this pullback could take time to play out. He explains how DI lines influence the ADX slope and how this impacts shorter-term patterns. Joe also reveals a strong area in the commodity market defying the correction and highlights top stocks within that sector. Plus, he analyzes QQQ and IWM, covering their recent weakness and key resistance levels, before analyzing viewer symbol requests for the week, including ADMA, CSCO, and more.

This video was originally published on March 19, 2025. Click this link to watch on Joe’s dedicated page.

Archived videos from Joe are available at this link. Send symbol requests to stocktalk@stockcharts.com; you can also submit a request in the comments section below the video on YouTube. Symbol Requests can be sent in throughout the week prior to the next show.

Gold Price Hits New Record as Fed Holds Rates Steady

The US Federal Reserve held its second meeting of the year from Tuesday (March 18) to Wednesday (March 19) amid broad economic chaos caused by the Trump administration’s tariff threats.

As was widely expected, the central bank left interest rates at 4.25 to 4.5 percent, a range it set at its November meeting; it also said it will slow the pace at which it is shrinking its balance sheet.

In his post-meeting remarks, Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed remains focused on its dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability. He noted that labor market conditions are “solid” and said inflation has moved closer to the Fed’s 2 percent target, although he did acknowledge that it remains “somewhat elevated.”

The US consumer price index (CPI) was up 3 percent year-on-year in January, up slightly from 2.9 percent in December. CPI fell marginally in February to come in at 2.8 percent. The US personal consumption expenditures price index has also remained relatively flat, with a 2.5 percent year-on-year rise in January versus December’s 2.6 percent.

The sticky inflation numbers come against a backdrop of global uncertainty as US President Donald Trump implements and threatens tariff action. Tariffs could drive consumer prices higher on critical goods for US consumers, including new gasoline, homes and cars, as the US relies on oil, lumber and steel imports from Canada.

Powell noted that uncertainty is running high with Trump now in office, saying that his administration is making policy changes in four key areas: trade, immigration, fiscal policy and regulation.

“It is the net effect of these policy changes that will matter for the economy and the path of monetary policy. While there have been recent developments in some of these areas, especially trade, uncertainty around changes and their economic outlook is high,” Powell said, adding that the Fed is focusing on ‘separating the signal from the noise.’

The Fed will adjust its policy based on incoming data, and is well positioned to wait for greater clarity.

When asked by a reporter why the Fed is still predicting two rate cuts this year despite waning consumer sentiment, Powell emphasized that the data shows the economy has remained strong.

“I would tell people that the economy seems to be healthy; we understand that sentiment seems to be quite negative at this time, and that probably has to do with turmoil at the beginning of an administration,” he said.

Following the Fed’s announcement, the gold price spiked to a new record high in the US$3,045 per ounce range. The silver price declined for most of the morning, but moved up after the Fed decision, staying above US$33.50 per ounce.

The S&P 500 (INDEXSP:INX) climbed 1.04 percent to 5,675, while the Nasdaq-100 (INDEXNASDAQ:NDX) rose 1.25 percent to 19,707 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) moved up 0.83 percent to 41,920.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Crypto Market Recap: US Crypto Legislation “Imminent,” Coinbase Gets Bullish Rating

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (March 19) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading at US$85,406.50, a 3.9 percent increase over the past 24 hours. The day’s trading range has seen a low of US$83,774.65 and a high of US$85,888.99.

Bitcoin performance, March 19, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$2,032.78, marking a 6.7 percent increase over the same period. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$2,007.43 and a high of US$2,055.77.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) is currently valued at US$132.97, up 7.1 percent over the past 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$128.10 and a high of US$133.60 on Wednesday.
  • XRP is trading at US$2.49, reflecting a 10.2 percent increase over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$2.48 and a high of US$2.57.
  • Sui (SUI) is priced at US$2.43, showing a 6.9 percent increase over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$2.36 and a low of US$2.47.
  • Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.7324, reflecting a 5.3 percent increase over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price on Wednesday was US$0.7225, with a high of US$0.7436.

Crypto news to know

US lawmakers aim for August deadline on crypto regulations

Speaking at Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit in New York on Wednesday, Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith said US lawmakers are on track to establish rules for stablecoins and cryptocurrency market structure by August.

“I think we’re close to being able to get those done for August … they’re doing a lot of work on that behind the scenes right now,” Smith said at the event, which was attended by Cointelegraph.

Speaking at the summit on Tuesday (March 18), Bo Hines, executive director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, said legislation is “imminent” following the Senate Banking Committee’s approval of the GENIUS Act last week. “I think that stables could be on the president’s desk here in the next two months,” Hines said.

Institutional crypto investment on the rise

A recent report from Coinbase and EY-Parthenon reveals that institutional investors are increasing their engagement with cryptocurrencies in 2025. The survey, conducted in January with responses from 352 institutional investor firms, shows that 83 percent plan to increase their crypto allocations this year.

Furthermore, 59 percent intend to allocate over 5 percent of their assets under management to crypto, and 73 percent already hold assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, with SOL and XRP being the most popular. Additionally, 68 percent of respondents indicated a likelihood to purchase single-asset exchange-traded products for SOL and XRP.

Coinbase highlights the survey’s results in a press release, stating that ‘all signs indicate positive momentum’ for institutional crypto engagement in 2025, with increasing allocations, expanding use cases and adoption of new products.

Bernstein issues bullish rating for Coinbase

Bernstein’s Gautam Chhugani gave a bullish ‘outperform’ rating and a US$310 price target for cryptocurrency exchange platform Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN), betting on the Trump’s administration’s plans for a US digital asset framework to boost the crypto industry. Chhugani also foresees growth in the US market offsetting competition, and highlighted the strong momentum in Coinbase’s subscription and services business.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Goldman Sachs Kostin Warns of a Potential S&P 500 Correction

Goldman Sachs Kostin analyst has issued a warning that the S&P 500 may be headed for a significant correction. His comments, based on current market data and public economic trends, suggest that heightened market risks could force investors to reconsider their positions.

Rising Market Risks and Overvaluation

According to Goldman Sachs Kostin, current market conditions point to growing volatility. He notes that the S&P 500 appears overvalued when measured against fundamental economic indicators. In addition, factors such as rising interest rates and economic uncertainty have increased the overall market risk. These factors, when combined, can create an environment where a correction is likely.

Investor Caution Amid Volatile Trends

Investors are being urged to remain cautious. Kostin emphasizes that the prevailing market optimism may be unsustainable if key economic data turns negative. Many market experts agree that investor caution is necessary during such periods of volatility. In turn, a pullback in the S&P 500 could offer a correction that might reset market valuations to more sustainable levels.

Implications for the Broader Market

A potential S&P 500 correction could have far-reaching implications for other asset classes. With heightened market volatility, investors might shift their focus to safer assets. Moreover, such a correction may serve as a wake-up call for the broader market, prompting both retail and institutional investors to review their portfolios and risk management strategies.

Conclusion

In summary, public data and current market trends support Kostin’s warning about the S&P 500. Rising market risks, overvaluation, and economic uncertainties are key factors that may trigger a correction. Investors should stay informed and practice caution as they navigate these turbulent market conditions. Ultimately, this forecast calls for a balanced approach to risk and a strategic review of investment positions.

This analysis is based on widely reported public market data and reflects a growing consensus among financial experts. As the market evolves, monitoring these trends closely will be essential for making well-informed decisions.

The post Goldman Sachs Kostin Warns of a Potential S&P 500 Correction appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

First the token, now the swipe: NYC’s subway system to stop selling MetroCards

The Metropolitan Transit Authority will stop selling and refilling those formerly-ubiquitous MetroCards by the end of the year in favor of the OMNY system, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber told Crain’s New York Business Wednesday.

MetroCards have been around since 1994, but now seem destined to go the way of the subway token, which stopped being used in 2003.

MTA officials previously said they planned to say goodbye to MetroCards in 2027, but now have provided an estimated date when they will stop selling and filling the cards, and that’s at the end of 2025.

OMNY’s popular tap-and-go system has been around since 2019 and the service includes the ability to tap your phone to pay to purchase an OMNY tap card that passengers can buy and reload.

Commuters will still be able to use their existing MetroCards with whatever funds they have on them until sometime in 2027.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says tariff impact won’t be meaningful in the near term

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang downplayed the negative impact from President Donald Trump’s tariffs, saying there won’t be any significant damage in the short run.

“We’ve got a lot of AI to build … AI is the foundation, the operating system of every industry going forward. … We are enthusiastic about building in America,” Huang said Wednesday in a CNBC “Squawk on the Street” interview. “Partners are working with us to bring manufacturing here. In the near term, the impact of tariffs won’t be meaningful.”

Trump has launched a new trade war by imposing tariffs against Washington’s three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate responses from Mexico, Canada and China. Recently, Trump said he would not change his mind about enacting sweeping “reciprocal tariffs” on other countries that put up trade barriers to U.S. goods. The White House said those tariffs are set to take effect April 2.

“We’re as enthusiastic about building in America as anybody,” Huang said. “We’ve been working with TSMC to get them ready for manufacturing chips here in the United States. We also have great partners like Foxconn and Wistron, who are working with us to bring manufacturing onshore, so long-term manufacturing onshore is going to be something very, very possible to do, and we’ll do it.”

Shares of Nvidia have fallen more than 20% from their record high reached in January. The stock suffered a massive sell-off earlier this year due to concerns sparked by Chinese artificial intelligence lab DeepSeek that companies could potentially get greater performance in AI on far-lower infrastructure costs. Huang has pushed back on that theory, saying DeepSeek popularized reasoning models that will need more chips.

Nvidia, which designs and manufactures graphics processing units that are essential to the AI boom, has been restricted from doing business in China due to export controls that were increased at the end of the Biden administration.

Huang previously said the company’s percentage of revenue in China has fallen by about half due to the export restrictions, adding that there are other competitive pressures in the country, including from Huawei.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS