US unemployment rose; investors assess the Federal Reserve’s comments. Find out more in our analysis and forecast for global indices for 11 March 2025.
The US unemployment rate rose to 4.1% in February, up from 4.0% in January, and remains well below the historical average of 5.7%. In this case, new jobs data was weaker than expected, while unemployment grew slightly. This may cause a moderately negative reaction in the stock market as it signals a weaker-than-expected labour market.
The Federal Reserve monitors the labour market when deciding on interest rate hikes or cuts. If job growth falls short of expectations, it could impact the regulator’s comments and the pace of monetary policy easing. Based on Jerome Powell’s statements, the regulator is concerned about an uptick in inflation after the introduction of new trade tariffs.
The US 30 stock index continues to decline within the downtrend. While a corrective rise is highly likely in the short term, it will unlikely change the medium-term trend.
The following scenarios are considered for the US 30 price forecast:
The US 500 stock index has seen a significant increase in volatility, with the longest period with a movement of over 1% since the beginning of the year. Earlier, such volatility was only seen in 2020. The decline will likely continue in the medium term.
The following scenarios are considered for the US 500 price forecast:
The US Tech index fell below the 200-day Moving Average for the first time in the last 500 trading days, losing 12% from an all-time high. According to the US Tech technical analysis, the downtrend could become medium-term.
The following scenarios are considered for the US Tech price forecast:
Japan’s adjusted current account (1.94 trillion JPY) in January was slightly below the forecast of 1.97 trillion JPY and well below the previous reading of 2.73 trillion JPY, signalling a weakening of foreign economic positions. For the Japanese stock market, this could cause a moderately negative reaction. However, the potential weakening of the yen could support the stocks of exporters. Further dynamics will depend on how market participants and the Bank of Japan interpret this data given the overall economic situation.
If market participants assess the decreased surplus as a signal of slowing exports or external earnings, the stocks of some export-oriented companies may correct. If the economy continues to weaken or is on the verge of recession, the regulator could maintain its loose monetary policy, which typically supports the stock market in the medium term.
The JP 225 stock index reached its lowest level in the last six months. The price will highly likely break below the current support level at 36,260.00. The downtrend is becoming medium-term, with a new sideways channel unlikely to form.
The following scenarios are considered for the JP 225 price forecast:
Although the DE 40 index is at all-time highs, the capitalisation of the German stock market in relative terms to the capitalisation of the global stock market is currently at its lowest level. The new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to increase the country’s debt limit and create a special fund to stimulate the economy and increase defence spending. The size of the fund will be 500 billion EUR.
A stronger-than-expected increase of 2% in Germany’s industrial production in January is a positive signal for the stock market. It indicates a possible increase in profits of industrial companies and improved macroeconomic prospects, which may support stock prices in the short term.
The DE 40 stock index is still moving in an uptrend. Bulls and bears are now actively fighting for a crucial resistance level, with the potential for further growth remaining significant.
The following scenarios are considered for the DE 40 price forecast:
The US presidential administration announced the introduction of new tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico, sending almost all global stock indices in a downtrend, except for the German DE 40. The Canadian province of Ontario has already announced retaliatory measures for the US, with China also set to impose trade restrictions.
Forecasts presented in this section only reflect the author’s private opinion and should not be considered as guidance for trading. RoboForex bears no responsibility for trading results based on trading recommendations described in these analytical reviews.