S&P 500 (SPY) Dives Below 3800 As Powell Wants To Put Pressure On Demand

Key Insights

• S&P 500 finished the trading session below the 3800 level as Powell said that the Fed would work to moderate demand in order to fight inflation. 
• The pullback was broad as traders rushed out of riskier assets. 
• However, some consumer defensive stocks managed to gain ground in today’s trading session. 

The Fed Stays Focused On Inflation

S&P 500 declined by 1.7% in a volatile trading session after the Fed increased the interest rate by 75 bps.

Fed’s message was hawkish. The Fed raised the median federal funds rate projection to 4.6% in 2023. During the press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell highlighted the importance of pushing inflation back towards the 2% level.

Interestingly, S&P 500 made an attempt to settle above the 3900 level during Powell’s conference. However, stocks quickly lost momentum, and S&P 500 declined to 3790.

Powell said that higher inflation presented a bigger problem than the slowdown of the economy and potential layoffs. Powell said that the labor market was too tight and needed to be more balanced.

The pullback was broad as Fed’s efforts to cool demand will hurt all industries. Leasure and entertainment stocks were hurt the most. Caesars Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Carnival Corporation and Wynn Resorts were among the biggest losers.

Leading tech stocks have also found themselves under material pressure. Apple, Amazon, Tesla, and Meta were down by 2-3% in today’s trading session.

Some consumer defensive stocks, like General Mills, Kellogg, Campbell Soup, and Kraft Heinz enjoyed support today. Traders tried to find safe-haven assets in today’s market and focused on companies that produce basic products. It remains to be seen whether these stocks will continue to move higher in the upcoming trading sessions.

A Move Below 3780 Will Push S&P 500 Towards The Support At 3750

S&P 500 settled below the 3800 level and finished the day near 3790. After the market close, it is trying to settle below the support at 3780.

If this attempt is successful, S&P 500 will head towards the next support level, which is located at 3750. A move below this level will push S&P 500 towards the support at 3725. If S&P 500 gets below 3725, it will head towards the next support at 3700.

On the upside, the previous support at 3800 will serve as the first resistance for S&P 500. If S&P 500 manages to settle back above this level, it will head towards the resistance at 3825. A move above 3825 will push S&P 500 towards the resistance at 3850.

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