Recap | Week Ahead | Easing
"The most important thing in investing is to avoid mistakes." – Howard Marks
Last week's market recap:
- The S&P 500 closed the week up 1.41%. Year-to-date the index is up 4.06%
- NASDAQ closed the week up 1.13%. YTD the index is up 4.14%
- U.S. Aggregate Bond index was up .65%. YTD the index is down -.66%
- 10-Year Treasury Rate was decreased, ending the week at 4.03% down from 4.15% the prior week
- Fed Funds Target rate remains at 5.25-5.50%
- The 1-Year Treasury is yielding 4.87%
- A 6 Month Treasury is yielding 5.27%
- Short term rates are trending lower. Reinvestment Risk for short term debt remains elevated.
The week ahead:
- Earnings: Ford, PepsiCo, Disney, Uber, Elli Lilly, McDonald’s, etc.
- ISM services PMI
- Comments from Fed Officials
Quick Comments:
As expected, the Fed kept rates unchanged last week. The market is focused on “when”, not “if” rate cuts will happen. The Fed wants more confidence that inflation is tamed. Traders lowered the odds of a March rate cut. The good news for investors is monetary policies are set to ease in 2024. This should be good for stocks, bonds, and the economy. Most investors should remain diversified.kept rates unchanged last week. The market is focused on “when”, not “if” rate cuts will happen. The Fed wants more confidence that inflation is tamed. Traders lowered the odds of a March rate cut. The good news for investors is monetary policies are set to ease in 2024. This should be good for stocks, bonds, and the economy. Most investors should remain diversified.
Source: BlackRock
www.blackrock.com/us/financial-professionals/literature/investor-education/student-of-the-market.pdf
As always, let us know if you have any questions.
Best,
CRA Investment Committee
Matt Reynolds CPA, CFP®
Tom Reynolds, CPA
Robert T. Martin, CFA, CFP®
Gordon Shearer Jr., CFP®
Jeff Hilliard, CFP®, CRPC®
Joe McCaffrey, CFP®
Phillip Tompkins, CFP®
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