Equites were rattled by WMT’s profit report. Its CFO stated “uncertainties related to consumer behavior and global economic and geopolitical conditions” affected results and outlook. His comments followed last week’s retail sales report which indicated “an abrupt pullback by consumers.” It is largely believed that consumers are dealing with stubborn prices and high borrowing costs, … Read more
Markets are searching for a catalyst to move in either direction. The Minutes from the recent FOMC meeting offered no new insight; the FOMC is in no rush to lower interest rates. The President floated tariffs on chips, cars, and drug imports. No major corporate announcements were made. There was little market reaction to a … Read more
Equites lacked direction as potential risks from tariffs to inflation to geopolitics weighed on prices. Most will agree that the Administration’s aggressive agenda is more of a headline narrative rather than a market driving narrative, perhaps from the realization that there has been more jawboning than actual policy. FRB Chair Powell has made similar observations … Read more
The Treasury market shrugged off greater than expected manufacturing data and import/export prices and focused instead on weaker than expected retail sales. Sales slumped in January by the most in nearly two years, perhaps indicating an abrupt pullback by consumers after a spending spree in the closing months of 2024. The immediate interpretation of the … Read more
There was no new ground broken during the first day of FRB Chairman’s Congressional testimony. Powell essentially reiterated what he had said at the conclusion of the January FOMC meeting, that the Committee is in “no rush” to lower the overnight rate. He described the labor market as “broadly in balance” and “not a source … Read more
The Administration is creating uncertainty, but this uncertainty is largely ignored by the markets. Is the President bluffing? Can the President remotely accomplish any of his objectives? Will it produce social unrest? Perhaps more direct, can change occur without a crisis? Most, including FRB Chair Powell has stated the current fiscal tract of government is … Read more
While the headline change in payrolls was disappointing relative to expectations, the numbers under the surface of the January report were considerably stronger. Beyond the upward revision of 100k to the prior two months of data, the dop in the unemployment rate to 4.0% was notable. The fact that it came despite an uptick in … Read more
The averages were mixed again yesterday even though over 300 S & P 500 members advanced. The averages might be flat, but the typical company is rising, the inverse of the last several years. The BLS employment report is released at 8:30. January’s report also contains revision from the previous months. The last revision that … Read more
Equites advanced ignoring underwhelming earnings from several tech heavyweights. Over 350 members of the S & P 500 rose even as the Magnificent Seven sank 1.8% on the back of GOOG’s disappointing results. The market has been whipsawed by data that has surprised in both directions, trade tensions and questions about whether the billions of … Read more
The JOLTS Jobs data surprised again, however this time on the downside. There are currently 7.6 million job openings. Analysts had forecasted eight million openings. November’s data however was revised higher and the “Quit Rate” (workers who are quitting to find another job) rose to 2.0% up from 1.9%. The data suggests the labor market … Read more
