Tariff news and resistance zone put pressure on crypto

Expert market comment made by Chief Market Analyst Alex Kuptsikevich of the FxPro Analyst Team: Tariff news and resistance zone put pressure on crypto

US sales jump gives USD relief, but is driven by fears

US Total retail sales rose 1.4% in March, beating the expected 1.3% after rising 0.2% a month earlier. On an annualised basis, sales rose 4.4%, the fastest pace since December 2023, which contrasted with the slowdown in inflation to 2.4% y/y.

The acceleration in American spending can be attributed to a desire to stock up on goods ahead of a possible price hike triggered by the tariffs announced by Trump last month.

Fears of tariffs have fuelled inflation expectations and a frenzy of demand that could turn into a subsequent slump. The contribution of the automotive sector is particularly notable, where sales growth remains more modest at 0.5% and 0.7% in the previous two months.

While this news is unlikely to cause dramatic changes in markets and policy, it strengthens the position of the hawks at the Fed, who prefer to focus on inflation risks rather than threats to economic growth in the moment. This situation favours the dollar, which buyers could support as it slumps towards the lows of the past three years, giving it a respite after a 9% decline over the past nine weeks. However, the prospect of tighter monetary policy will be a negative factor for the stock market.

By the FxPro Analyst Team

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ATFX Market Outlook 16th May 2025

ATFX Market Outlook 16th May 2025

U.S. retail sales increased at a much weaker rate in April as the pre-tariff scramble to purchase automobiles exhausted itself and shoppers trimmed other spending in the face of growing economic uncertainty. In addition, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated the Fed needs to reconsider its existing employment and inflation paradigm within monetary policy.
ATFX | hace 18h 35min