Stocks fell last week (S&P 500 -0.1%) and bonds fell (the 10-year yield was up more than 20 bp) due primarily to a higher-than-expected CPI. Best sectors were energy (+3.8%) and materials (+1.6%); worst sectors were real estate (-2.8%) and consumer discretionary (-1.2%).
Last week's inflation reports evidence that the glide path for a return to 2% inflation is not unfolding the ways the bulls and the Fed have been anticipating. Rather, in the case of the U.S., underlying inflation has leveled off near 4% (We still see a possible path to 3%, but not 2%.) There has been a deeply entrenched view that all roads lead to low and stable inflation, and thus, substantial rate cuts have been expected this year. The timing of those cuts keeps getting pushed further into the future and fewer rate cuts are now discounted for this year than was anticipated at the end of 2023.
9. While Politicians seem unconcerned about the growing federal debt and deficits, the credit rating agencies will be watching carefully as deficits of nearly $2 trillion per year become the norm.
Source: Bob Doll Crossmark Investments
Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments. Data provided by Refinitiv.
Sincerely,
Fortem Financial
(760) 206-8500
team@fortemfin.com
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