Futures on US stock indices have started this week in different directions after another sharp rise, observed for the fifth consecutive session last Friday. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell by about 90 points or 0.3%. This happened due to a sharp drop in Boeing's securities. S&P 500 futures are trading in a small plus. Nasdaq 100 futures were down 0.1%.
Boeing securities fell by more than 6% in the premarket after news of the crash of the Boeing 737 passenger plane of China Eastern Airlines. According to preliminary data, 133 people were killed. The cause of the fall is being established.
Last week, the US stock market showed excellent growth and showed the best result since November 2020. The S&P 500 rose 6.1% from Monday to Friday, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 5.5%. The high-tech Nasdaq Composite rose 8.1%. However, many are now wondering whether the market will be able to maintain this growth, especially in light of the lack of positive dynamics in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, about which so much was said last week. According to experts, April is historically one of the best months for the US stock market, which may keep the bulls positive for some time.
Let me remind you that also last week investors received the long-awaited clarity from the Federal Reserve System, which raised interest rates for the first time since 2018. The central bank made it clear that it expects to raise rates at the remaining six meetings this year but did not signal a super-aggressive policy, which everyone feared due to the excessive level of inflation observed in the country. Some economists note that during the meeting, the Fed prepared the ground for a softer landing of the economy.
As noted above, market participants are also monitoring the military special operation conducted by Russia on the territory of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has warned that if peace talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin fail, it will mean the beginning of a global war. Recently, Ukrainian and Russian officials have met from time to time to hold talks, but the meetings have so far led to nothing.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose again to $ 110 per barrel, reflecting investors' concern about geopolitical events, as well as tensions in the Middle East. Australia's ban on the export of alumina to Russia provoked an increase in aluminum production. The surge in commodity prices due to concerns about supply cuts is not showing signs of abating yet. This forces traders to be on high alert for excessively high inflation and undermines their belief that the Federal Reserve will reconsider its approach to raising interest rates.
As for the technical picture of the S&P 500
Friday's rise above $ 4,433 indicates a continuation of the bullish rally, which can be expected today. Bulls will certainly try to continue the uptrend, which will lead to an update of $ 4,488. Going beyond this level will open a direct path for the trading instrument to the highs: $ 4,539 and $ 4,588. In the event of a return of pressure on the index, the first support level will be viewed at around $ 4,433. If there are no particularly willing to buy there, a breakdown of this range can quickly dump the trading instrument to the lows: $ 4,382 and $ 4,319, after which the bulls will have to start all over again.
