SPX: hard way up

The S&P 500 index tried very hard to sustain a bit of market optimism, however, it ended the trading week at almost the same level, where it started it. Monday was a positive day, where the index managed to open higher from Friday's close, reaching 5.450, however, through the rest of the week, it was traded with a negative sentiment. Thursday closed at the level of 5.282. Friday was a non-working day on Western markets, due to the Easter holiday. It will be closed also on Monday, which might be treated as a positive, considering current sentiment.

Regardless of a drop in the value of the index, the stocks were traded in a mixed manner. Market favourite Nvidia gained almost 3%, supported by its business plan for the next period, increasing their projections for exports to China. This was positive, considering the uncertainties related to trade tariffs between the US and China. Elly-Lilly, a drug maker, gained almost 14%, after posting positive results on a trial of its weight-loss drug.

Generally, US companies continue to provide relatively positive results, considering the ongoing uncertainties related to trade tariffs. The another topic which is bringing uncertainty in investors is a pressure from the US Administration on Fed to cut interest rates. Fed Chair Powell, noted during a speech that tariffs implemented by the US Administration could drive up inflation higher, which is certainly something that the market is not at all happy to hear at these sensitive moments. Increased inflation would imply that the Fed will not be in the position to cut interest rates, as planned, during the course of this year. So, regardless of positive results that US companies are still managing to post, still, the inflation fears are the most critical moment for investors, which continues to drive their sentiment for investments.