Can S&P 500 record highs continue as momentum targets 6,500?

The S&P 500 just did it again - another record smashed, this time soaring past the 6,350 mark like it was barely a speed bump. It’s the kind of milestone that gets traders buzzing, headlines flashing, and retail investors wondering if they’ve just missed the boat - or if there’s still another leg up to ride.

With Big Tech stepping into the earnings spotlight this week and tariff chatter heating up, markets are charging ahead on a heady mix of optimism, momentum, and a touch of good old-fashioned FOMO. But here’s the big question - can the rally keep its footing all the way to 6,500, or is this high-wire act due for a wobble?

Big Tech earnings drive S&P 500 momentum to record highs

At the heart of this market surge is a familiar engine - Big Tech. Alphabet (Google’s parent company) and Tesla are up this week with their quarterly results, kicking off what many are calling the Magnificent Seven earnings showdown. Investors are bracing for a parade of updates from tech titans that could make or break the S&P 500’s momentum.

So far, things are looking rosy. Alphabet surged ahead of its Wednesday report, dragging the broader market with it. Apple and Amazon chipped in too, keeping the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in record-setting territory. 

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Analysts expect a 6.7% boost in Q2 earnings, driven largely by tech giants, according to LSEG I/B/E/S.

It’s the classic growth story - with a modern twist. Despite sticky inflation and geopolitical uncertainty, investors are backing the familiar faces of innovation to deliver the goods yet again.

Trump’s August tariff deadline: Will it derail the S&P 500 rally?

Now for the twist in the tale. While Wall Street has its eyes fixed on the next 150 points, President Trump’s 1 August tariff deadline is creeping closer, and it could throw a spanner in the works.

Trump has threatened 30% tariffs on EU and Mexican imports, and letters outlining duties as high as 50% are also going out to Canada, Japan, and Brazil. Sound familiar? That’s because we’ve been here before.

His initial “Liberation Day” tariffs in April knocked the S&P 500 to its lowest point in over a year. 

Since then, the market has staged an eye-watering comeback - up nearly 27% since the April lows. But whether that rally can survive another tariff tantrum remains to be seen.

The current mood suggests investors aren’t taking the threats at face value. There’s a general belief that deals will be struck, threats will soften, and cooler heads will prevail. But it’s a risky game of chicken - and the stakes are getting higher.

Retail investors drive stock rally

One of the more fascinating subplots in this rally is who’s doing the buying. Retail investors have poured over $50 billion into global stocks in the past month, according to Barclays. That’s serious money - and a sign that individual traders are confidently backing the rally, even as institutional investors remain a bit more hesitant.

This influx has helped propel the market through a V-shaped recovery, with the Nasdaq 100 clocking in 62 straight sessions above its 20-day moving average - the second-longest run since 1999. It’s the sort of stat that makes technical traders sit up and take notice.

But momentum is a funny thing. It can carry markets far, fast -but when it falters, the fall can be just as swift.

Cracks beneath the surface

Despite the upbeat headlines, some warning signs are starting to flash.

• The US dollar is tumbling, down nearly 11% since Trump returned to office.
  
• Gold and silver are quietly surging - up 30% and 35%, respectively - suggesting some investors are hedging against chaos.
  
• Consumer data remains mixed, and jobless claims will be closely watched this week.
  
• And then there’s the Federal Reserve. Jerome Powell’s speech on Tuesday could shift the tone entirely if rate cut expectations begin to drift.
  

Let’s not forget that markets haven’t moved more than 1% in either direction since late June. That calm could signal confidence - or it could be the eerie quiet before the next policy storm.

S&P 500 forecast: 6500 or bust?

So, where does that leave us? The path to 6,500 is wide open - but also littered with potential obstacles. Analysts claim that if Big Tech delivers and Powell stays dovish, we could see that next milestone sooner than many expect. But if tariffs land hard or earnings disappoint, this rally could hit a wall fast.

Right now, investors are leaning into hope - and in some cases, pure momentum. As one strategist put it, this rally might just be too profitable to abandon. But markets have a way of humbling even the boldest bull.

S&P 500 technical outlook

At the time of writing, prices are on price discovery mode with bulls evidently in control. The volume bars also indicate bullish dominance, adding credence to the bullish narrative. If the charge towards new highs stalls, we could see sellers move with more conviction, pushing prices lower. If we see a slump, prices be held at the $6,290, $6,200 and $5,920 support levels.

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