US equities surprisingly were surprised by Powell’s hawkish message on Wednesday. He seems very determined to bring inflation down no matter what the cost to jobs and the economy. This will have repercussions for earnings, which then will reverberate through … Continued
Ahead of this week’s FOMC, equities seem unsure about the next major move. At this stage, markets want Powell and team to take the fed funds rate north of four percent by year-end. If the Fed manages to sound even … Continued
Next year’s earnings estimates for US companies peaked in April for large-caps and in June for small-caps. Given Powell’s resolve to significantly reduce the current four-decade-high inflation – no matter what the cost to jobs and the economy – the … Continued
On a Fed decision day, both large- and small-caps find themselves at crucial technical juncture. They have both taken a real hit the past five sessions. In the wake of last Friday’s inflation report, markets now expect a 75-basis-point hike … Continued
Inflation is front and center, driving investor sentiment. April’s CPI report, out yesterday, proved expensive for equity bulls. The S&P 500 is down nearly 19 percent from its January high, even as the percent of stocks above the 50-day is … Continued
The 10-year treasury yield more than doubled in five months, completing a measured-move target of an inverse-head-and-shoulders breakout in early January. This is coming at a time when the Fed has signaled it will use both conventional and unconventional tools … Continued
On Thursday morning, February’s CPI will be published. Consumer inflation has gone vertical the past couple of years. Businesses have pricing power, as was evident in Tuesday’s NFIB report. A record 68 percent of small-business owners were able to raise … Continued
Investor sentiment has taken a hit, but major US equity indices are hanging in there – on a relative basis. This is a medium- to long-term worry for bulls. Near-term, they could be looking for opportunities. Possible catalysts include Thursday’s … Continued
Until recently, it looked like the Fed finally had the fortitude to take on inflation head on. Now, the message is getting blurred. Within the FOMC, for every Bullard, there is a Kashkari. Amidst this push-and-pull, late-January lows on major … Continued
The 10-year treasury yield ended with a weekly shooting star last week, briefly rising above two percent. Only about two and a half months ago, rates were 1.34 percent. The 10-year may be ready to unwind at least some of … Continued