Trump Policies Spark Volatility in U.S. Stock Market

2 mins mins

Key Points:

President Trump demands cap on credit card interest rates, sparking market upheaval.
Policies hit bank and defense stocks hard ahead of midterms.
Fed independence concerns heighten Wall Street volatility.

Ed Clissold of Ned Davis Research introduces ‘Big MAC Trade’ as Trump advocates new policies impacting U.S. markets before the fall congressional elections.

Clissold predicts policy-driven market volatility, sparking uncertainty in hedging strategies, amid Trump’s election-focused maneuvers affecting interest rates, defense stocks, and Federal Reserve independence.

Trump’s Interest Rate Cap Hits Banking Sector

Donald Trump’s demand to cap credit card interest rates at 10% incited a considerable market reaction as bank stocks plummeted. He also mandated defense companies to redirect dividends towards production, leading to further sector instability. Concerns over Federal Reserve independence intensified tension in financial circles.

The abrupt policy changes are reshaping market dynamics, heavily impacting the banking sector where stock prices have significantly dropped. The defense sector faces similar pressure, as dividends are redirected into production investments. These actions represent pre-election strategies with lasting implications.

Reactions have varied, with Ed Clissold of Ned Davis Research noting the difficulty in hedging new risks. He emphasized, “Policy adjustments targeting specific industries will pose a significant risk.” Meanwhile, Wall Street shows heightened concern over potential constraints on Federal Reserve powers.

Fed Independence Sparks Market Volatility

Did you know? Federal Reserve leadership changes often lead to market corrections, with stocks dropping by an average of 15% in the first six months — emphasizing historical investor anxiety towards shifts in central bank authority.

Bitcoin (BTC) currently trades at $95,030.93, per CoinMarketCap. The cryptocurrency’s market capitalization stands at $1.9 trillion, making up 58.73% of overall market dominance. Despite recent turbulent dynamics, Bitcoin shows positive price movements with a monthly gain of 5.95%.

bitcoin-daily-chart-5622 — Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 12:57 UTC on January 14, 2026. *Source: CoinMarketCap*

Research by Coincu indicates potential regulatory shifts may create wider credit spreads and increased inflation expectations. Historically, market returns have been sustained over 6-7-year periods despite regulatory challenges.

Ed Clissold, Chief U.S. Strategist, Ned Davis Research, remarked, “Top of the list is what could go on with the Fed… we have a readymade concern with Fed independence.”

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.