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Markets in Correction: A Natural Pullback or the Start of Something Bigger?

Markets in Correction: A Natural Pullback or the Start of Something Bigger?
17.3.2025

Here is the translated article in English while maintaining the original structure:


Markets in Correction: A Natural Pullback or the Start of Something Bigger?

Key Takeaways

  • Major indexes have entered technical correction – S&P 500 has dropped 10% from ATH, Nasdaq is down 11%.
  • The fifth fastest correction in history – the sell-off came very quickly but without panic so far.
  • Consumers are extremely pessimistic – unemployment expectations are the worst since 2008.
  • Housing prices under pressure – March price cuts on homes are at the highest level in a decade.
  • Investors are looking for a culprit – is it really Trump? Or is it more about the unwinding of Carry Trade 2.0?
  • VIX curve shows fear but not panic – the market could still rebound to new highs.
  • The FED still holds the key cards – there is room for rate cuts.

What is Happening in the Markets?

U.S. stock indexes have seen significant declines in recent days. The S&P 500 has dropped 10%, the Nasdaq 11%, and the Dow Jones 3.6% from their all-time highs.

This means we are now in a technical correction, a normal market phenomenon that does not necessarily indicate a long-term problem. However, what is particularly interesting is the speed of this decline – historically, this is the fifth fastest correction ever.

A debate immediately erupted over what caused this drop. The number one suspect? Trump and his tariffs. But is that really the case?


Image: Market heatmap showing broad sell-off across sectors - A broad sell-off has hit most sectors, particularly technology, consumer discretionary, and small-cap stocks. On the other hand, gold, volatility, and some Chinese stocks have seen gains, indicating a shift by investors into defensive assets.

Consumers See the Economy in the Darkest Light Yet

While stock markets are volatile, consumer expectations suggest even bigger problems. The index measuring expected unemployment for the next year is at its highest level since 2008.

This is a warning sign, as historically, when people begin expecting worsening economic conditions, those fears often become reality. If consumers spend less, companies cut investments and start laying off workers, potentially leading to a negative economic spiral.

It’s not reality yet, but this signal must be taken seriously.


Image: Record-high share of consumers expect worsening economic conditions next year - This indicator is at historic highs, suggesting rising concerns about the future.

U.S. Housing Market Under Pressure – Biggest March Price Cuts in a Decade

While stock markets are experiencing a correction, the real estate market is facing a different problembuyers are unwilling to pay current high prices.

  • 33.6% of all single-family home listings have reduced prices, the highest March level in the last 10 years.
  • This trend suggests sellers must lower prices to find buyers, a sign of weakening demand.
  • If this continues, the housing market could face additional pressure, especially if mortgage availability does not improve.

It’s not a housing market crash, but it’s a clear signal of a slowdown.


Image: March home price cuts reach the highest level in a decade - This indicates weakening demand and pressure on home prices.

Trump, Tariffs, and the Reality of Market Movements

If you follow market commentary, you've likely noticed that most economic headlines focus on Trump's tariffs and geopolitical tensions. While trade wars and tariffs can impact investor sentiment, they are not the sole or primary reason for the current decline.

A deeper look shows that something else is at playthe unwinding of Carry Trade 2.0.


The Elephant in the Room: Carry Trade 2.0

For years, cheap money created the perfect conditions for massive speculative trades funded by low-interest-rate Japanese yen. Investors borrowed in yen at near-zero rates and funneled those funds into risk assets, including U.S. stocks.

But now, the situation is changing. The Bank of Japan has hinted at a policy shift, which could unwind this massive trade. When the market suddenly has to adjust to new conditions, we see exactly what is happening now – a rapid correction that looks scary but is not catastrophic yet.


Image: Carry Trade exposure reaches extreme levels - If the Japanese yen strengthens, markets could face sharp sell-offs.

VIX Curve: Fear, But Not Panic

Looking at the VIX curve, which measures the difference between short-term and long-term volatility, we see that when short-term volatility exceeds long-term volatility, the market is nervous and expects turbulence.

Currently, VIX signals stress, but not a recession. There is no mass panic, rather short-term selling and profit-taking. This suggests that if the situation stabilizes, the market has a strong chance of rebounding to new highs.


Image: VIX curve inversion signals short-term panic, but historically, these moments lead to market reversals.

The FED Still Holds the Cards

If the situation deteriorates further, the Federal Reserve (FED) still has tools at its disposal:

  • Interest rate cuts – if the economy slows, the FED could lower rates to support liquidity.
  • Slowing quantitative tightening – if necessary, the FED could ease its balance sheet reduction.
  • A flexible approach – Powell has not yet signaled drastic actions, but if markets fall further, he has options.

Simply put, while we see a correction, it is not a situation without solutions.


Correction, Not Collapse

Yes, the recent market developments are unpleasant. Indexes have fallen into technical correction, market sentiment is mixed, and volatility has increased.

But upon closer inspection, we do not see mass panic yet, and indicators such as VIX suggest this could be a short-term volatility event rather than a prolonged downturn.

Moreover, the FED still holds strong policy tools, and if needed, it can step in to provide support.

What to do? Stay calm, monitor data, and adjust strategy accordingly.

Markets are not a one-way street, and history shows that after sharp corrections, strong recoveries often follow.


Image: S&P 500 and RSI – The market has reached technically oversold levels similar to previous local bottoms. Historically, these zones often lead to rebounds.

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investing in financial markets carries risks, and it is important to conduct your own analysis before making any investment decisions.

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