Did the Fed Put a Lid on Stock Prices?

The S&P 500 (SPY) was off to a different nice begin in 2024. That was till Chairman Powell grabbed the mic at his January thirty first press convention. And issues went south in a rush. Why is that? And what does that imply for inventory buyers within the days and weeks forward? Funding professional Steve Reitmeister shares his views together with this prime 13 trades within the commentary that follows under.

Shares have been merrily on their means in direction of a rendezvous with new all time highs at 5,000 earlier than Fed Chairman Powell took the rostrum on Wednesday afternoon. At first buyers appreciated what they heard with some buoyancy in inventory costs.

However as soon as Powell made it clear that he sees fee cuts as extremely unlikely on the subsequent assembly in March, then inventory costs tumbled right into a -1.61% loss for the S&P 500 (SPY).

Gladly it was not all unhealthy. The truth is, I might say that it was a little bit of an overreaction.

So, let’s spend our time right this moment digging into the important thing Fed statements and what meaning for the market within the days and weeks forward.

Market Commentary

I religiously watch the Fed press conferences which commences half-hour after they launch their fee hike resolution. The ready statements usually mirror the identical sentiment as discovered within the aforementioned press launch.

The important thing to the occasion all the time resides within the Q&A bit. These unprepared remarks by Powell reveal far more perception. Past the phrases can also be the physique language and emphasis from the Fed chairman. You’ll be able to immediately see the market’s response to each optimistic and damaging remark.

The web results of the January 31^st press convention was a close to free fall in inventory costs. Past the -1.61% we see a way more painful -2.45% slashing of small caps within the Russell 2000 index.

Why?

It just about comes down to 1 very important sentence:

“I do not suppose it is probably that the committee will attain a degree of confidence by the point of the March assembly to determine March is the time to do this (begin slicing charges).”

With that the percentages of a March fee lower have been lowered…brief time period bond charges went larger…and shares imploded.

Gladly on Thursday cooler heads prevailed. That is as a result of Powell additionally made it clear that the committee nonetheless thinks that 3 fee cuts are on the best way this 12 months. So shifting out expectations for the primary lower to Might 1^st is just not so unhealthy within the grand scheme of issues.

Web-net, the ten 12 months Treasury fee has dropped again underneath 4% and inventory costs are again on the upswing with 5,000 looming massive on the horizon.

Now let’s get into among the granular element from Powell’s press convention as there are some very fascinating ideas to share. Generally, I’m paraphrasing what was stated to get straight to the purpose.

(Listed below are the important thing concepts from the ready assertion part)

Inflation nonetheless too excessive and thus path ahead is unsure.

Coverage is properly into restrictive territory. And thus, doing properly on twin mandate to get inflation again right down to 2% aim whereas additionally reaching most employment.

Reversing coverage too quickly would threat re-igniting inflation which is unhealthy information for the typical shopper.

Reversing too late has draw back dangers to the economic system and the labor market.

They’re conscious about the balancing act required and proceed to do what they imagine is important.

(After Powell’s ready statements buyers are realizing it is the identical previous music from the Fed and that they overreacted to among the language within the press launch. With that bond charges fell and inventory costs climbed briefly.

Now onto the Q&A portion which, as famous above, usually unlocks far more precious insights.)

The committee continues to be all agreeing to chop charges. And three occasions this 12 months is the latest prediction. The important thing query is WHEN to begin the cuts?

Would a weakening within the employment image hasten your need to chop charges? Sure!

However proper now employment continues to be a bit robust…and that gives nonetheless an excessive amount of wage inflation. Much less of an issue than earlier than…however nonetheless too excessive.

You did not agree that delicate touchdown has occurred. However would you say {that a} arduous touchdown is off the desk?

Govt Abstract from Powell: Development is stable to robust. Ditto for labor market. And have seen inflation come down. Total, this can be a fairly good image.

And thus he facet stepped the delicate/arduous touchdown dialogue.

Key assertion: Do not suppose March fee lower is probably going based mostly on assembly right this moment. And from there the underside dropped out of the inventory market.

Wednesday @ 2pm ET the S&P 500 stands at 4,889. But on the closed all the best way right down to 4,845.65 (1.61%). Russell 2000 was even worse at -2.45%.

(Finish of Powell press convention statements).

As famous earlier, merchants have been overly zealous to hit the promote button on Wednesday afternoon. But as they awakened Thursday they noticed that in actuality the funding panorama had not modified that a lot.

Which means {that a} 6 to 12 week delay for the primary fee lower does not actually change the financial outlook nor bullish case for shares.

However, the S&P 500 is fairly totally valued at PE of 20. Thus, as this stage we have to see an acceleration within the economic system to stoke earnings development to substantiate a lot larger share costs.

This most up-to-date earnings season doesn’t assist that image as future estimates have truly been lower. The truth is, the following 3 quarters are anticipated to common a tepid 1.5% common earnings development which is properly under the long run common nearer to eight%.

No…this isn’t a case for a big scale correction nor to go bearish. That is merely a case for five,000 more likely to be a spot of stiff resistance for some time resulting in an prolonged consolidation and buying and selling vary.

In these durations the general market common might flat line, however the cream of the crop corporations will rise to the highest. Particularly these with wholesome development prospects buying and selling at affordable or discounted valuations.

That is exactly the shares that the POWR Scores helps us drill into and explains our latest outperformance…and constant outperformance over time.

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What To Do Subsequent?

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That is all based mostly on my 43 years of investing expertise seeing bull markets…bear markets…and all the pieces between.

In case you are curious to be taught extra, and wish to see these fortunate 13 hand chosen trades, then please click on the hyperlink under to get began now.

Steve Reitmeister’s Trading Plan & Top Picks >

Wishing you a world of funding success!

Steve Reitmeister…however everybody calls me Reity (pronounced “Righty”)
CEO, StockNews.com and Editor, Reitmeister Total Return

SPY shares have been buying and selling at $493.59 per share on Friday morning, up $4.39 (+0.90%). 12 months-to-date, SPY has gained 3.85%, versus a % rise within the benchmark S&P 500 index throughout the identical interval.

In regards to the Creator: Steve Reitmeister

Steve is best identified to the StockNews viewers as “Reity”. Not solely is he the CEO of the agency, however he additionally shares his 40 years of funding expertise within the Reitmeister Total Return portfolio. Be taught extra about Reity’s background, together with hyperlinks to his most up-to-date articles and inventory picks.

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