[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] After yesterday’s record session for the S&P 500, the major indexes pulled back moderately due to concerns about persistent inflation and proposed trade tariffs by Trump. He suggested imposing duties of up to 25% on imported autos, chips, and pharmaceuticals. Among the S&P 500 sectors, Materials were the worst performers, losing around 1%, while Energy defied …
Strong Start To Weak Season: Can Market Momentum Continue?
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] The markets showed little activity early on, with the S&P 500 trading near its highs and eventually closing at a new all-time high. Some tech stocks, including Intel, Nvidia, and Microsoft, posted gains, with Intel leading the pack and achieving its largest two-week increase on record. Meanwhile, Meta’s 20-day win streak came to an end, causing …
ETF Tracker Newsletter For February 14, 2025
ETF Tracker StatSheet You can view the latest version here. STOCKS, BITCOIN, AND GOLD RISE DESPITE INFLATION CONCERNS [Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] The major indexes paused early on as traders digested this week’s gains, most of which were generated yesterday. President Trump’s memorandum outlining a plan for reciprocal tariffs on goods from countries with duties on U.S. products boosted …
Equities Climb As Traders Bet On Softer PCE Amid Trade Tensions
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] Following yesterday’s hotter-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, today’s Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers also exceeded expectations. The January PPI showed a 0.4% increase, surpassing the consensus of 0.3%. The core PPI, which excludes food and energy, rose by 0.3%, aligning with estimates. Despite these increases, traders pushed equities higher, reasoning that these latest figures suggest …
Fed’s Stance On Inflation Confirmed As CPI Surpasses Expectations
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] The much-anticipated Consumer Price Index (CPI) report confirmed to me that the Federal Reserve’s decision to delay rate cuts was an acknowledgment that inflation remains a persistent issue. In January, the CPI rose by 0.5% for the month, pushing the annual inflation rate to 3%, surpassing expectations of 0.3% and 2.9%, respectively. The core CPI, which …
Gold Hits Record High, Markets Brace For Inflation Reports
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] This morning, equities went through a moderate retreat as traders absorbed comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Powell. He stated that “interest rates do not need to move quickly to ease monetary policy,” explaining that the Fed’s policy is now significantly less restrictive, reducing the urgency for adjustments. Powell also described the economy as “strong overall” with …