Dow Jones Weekly Forecast: Will DJIA Resume Uptrend as Rally Stalls Ahead of PCE?

After a month-long rally, U.S. stock markets and Dow faltered last week as credit concerns and renewed tariff threats triggered a downturn..

Dow Faces Setback After Four-Week Rally on Renewed Risk Fears

Quick overview

  • U.S. stock markets, including the Dow Jones, experienced a significant decline after a month-long rally, dropping 939.74 points last week.
  • The downturn was triggered by Moody's downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and renewed tariff threats from President Trump, raising concerns over fiscal policy and trade.
  • Investor sentiment soured as markets approached technical resistance levels, leading to increased caution among traders.
  • Looking ahead, upcoming economic data releases will be crucial in determining the market's direction amidst ongoing geopolitical risks.

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After a month-long rally, U.S. stock markets and Dow faltered last week as credit concerns and renewed tariff threats triggered a downturn in investor sentiment.

Stocks Lose Steam After Month-Long Climb

U.S. equities, which had been staging a steady recovery since mid-April, took a notable turn downward last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which had gained traction following support at its 200-week Simple Moving Average (SMA), saw a reversal as investor sentiment quickly soured.

The index ended the week down 939.74 points, or -2.21%, closing at 41,603.07. This marked its most significant weekly decline since the start of the April rebound. The retreat came after four consecutive weeks of gains, which had followed a steep 20% drop in February-March.

Dow Jones Chart Weekly – Rejected by the 20 SMA

Momentum was initially fueled by progress in U.S.-China trade relations, particularly as news broke of a tariff rollback that boosted risk appetite globally. However, the rally lost steam as markets approached technical resistance at the weekly 200 SMA around $42,850, a level buyers failed to overcome.

Moody’s Downgrade Sparks Market Reassessment

The tone shifted sharply at the start of last week when Moody’s downgraded the U.S. sovereign credit rating from AAA to AA1. Although the downgrade had been anticipated during Biden’s term, its formal announcement acted as a jolt to investors, prompting renewed fears over the long-term health of U.S. fiscal policy.

The downgrade not only weighed on equities but also raised concerns about the cost of borrowing and the future trajectory of U.S. monetary policy. Combined with soft earnings guidance in some sectors, the news reinforced a cautious tone throughout the week.

Tariff Tensions Add Fuel to the Fire

Late-week volatility was compounded by unexpected comments from the US President Donald Trump, who proposed a sweeping 50% tariff on goods from the European Union, alongside threats to impose import tariffs on Apple devices not manufactured in the U.S. These remarks raised red flags across the tech sector, which had been a key driver of the broader rally.

Investors grew wary of inflated valuations and potential disruptions to global trade. The tech-heavy indices felt immediate pressure, and overall market enthusiasm began to fade. But we’ll see how the tariff talk evolves this week.

Looking Ahead: Economic Data vs. Geopolitical Risks

As the new week begins, market focus will shift to critical economic releases, including U.S. Durable Goods Orders, the Federal Reserve’s FOMC meeting minutes, and Friday’s closely watched PCE inflation report. While these data points are likely to influence short-term sentiment, geopolitical risks—particularly the escalating tariff rhetoric—may dominate investor decision-making.

Whether DOW Jones buyers return will depend heavily on how these crosscurrents evolve. A stabilizing economic backdrop could offer support, but rising protectionism and fiscal uncertainty remain potent headwinds.

Conclusion: After weeks of steady gains, the U.S. stock market is once again facing turbulence. The Dow Jones’ recent drop reflects mounting concerns over debt sustainability, trade policy, and sector valuations. With a heavy economic calendar ahead, this week may determine whether the pullback is just a pause—or the start of a deeper correction.

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Skerdian Meta
Lead Analyst
Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst. Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.

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