| | Good morning, | I want to wish you and all your family a Merry Christmas. We won’t be publishing a report next week. | The stock market has recently been a whirlwind of bullish activity, with major indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 hitting impressive highs. | The Dow closed at a record high, while the S&P 500 soared above 4,700, its highest since January 2022. This surge in the stock market was largely influenced by the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) decision to maintain the fed funds rate at 5.25-5.50%, coupled with an optimistic economic outlook for 2023 and beyond. | Have a great week, | Irving Wilkinson, Editor | AlphaBetaStock.com | Table of Contents | | Interest Rates And The Fed’s Influence |
|
| The Fed’s Stance: The FOMC’s unanimous decision to keep interest rates steady was a significant driver of market optimism. This decision reflects a more dovish approach, suggesting a shift in the Fed’s policy. Rate Cut Expectations: Initially, the market anticipated two rate cuts in 2024. However, post-FOMC meeting, expectations have risen to six rate cuts, with the first possibly in March 2024. Contradictory Views: Interestingly, New York Fed President Williams contradicted Chair Powell’s remarks, indicating that it’s premature to consider rate cuts.
| S&P 500 Sectors And Market Movers |
|
| Sector Performance: The real estate sector, sensitive to interest rates, jumped 5.3%. Other top performers included materials (+4.0%), consumer discretionary (+3.5%), and industrials (+3.6%). Communication services, however, saw a slight decline. Economic Data Impact: Economic reports, like the Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index, played a role in shaping market sentiments, aligning with the ‘soft landing’ narrative.
| | Bonds And Treasury Market |
|
| Treasury Yields: The 2-year note yield dropped to 4.46%, and the 10-year note yield fell to 3.93%. The dip in the 10-year yield below 4.00% provided additional support to equities. Market Reaction: The Treasury market rallied in response to the Fed’s dovish pivot, indicating a shift in investor sentiment towards bonds.
| | Retail Sales Rebound: Retail sales in November showed a recovery from October’s slump, indicating continued consumer spending. Jobless Claims: Weekly jobless claims remained below recession levels, suggesting a stable job market.
| Implications For Investors |
|
| Interest Rate Sensitivity: Investors need to be mindful of the Fed’s future decisions on interest rates, as these can significantly impact various market sectors. Sector Selection: Diversifying investments across different sectors, especially those showing strong performance, can be a wise strategy. Economic Indicators: Keeping an eye on economic reports like CPI, PPI, and retail sales can provide insights into market trends and potential investment opportunities.
| In conclusion, the stock market’s recent activities reflect a complex interplay of interest rates, economic data, and sector performances. For investors, understanding these dynamics is crucial for making informed decisions. The market’s response to the Fed’s policies, along with economic indicators, will continue to shape the investment landscape in the coming months. | | | Energy: A Glimmer Of Hope In The Oil Market |
|
| Well, folks, it looks like the oil market is finally showing some signs of life this week! After what seemed like an eternity of declines, oil prices are picking up. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves – this uptick is still playing catch-up with other assets that have been riding the holiday rally wave since November. | OPEC’s Optimism: The latest report from OPEC is stirring the pot, predicting a record demand next year. Despite the economic head-scratchers we’re all dealing with, they’re expecting demand to grow by a whopping 2.2 million barrels per day. That’s a big deal, signaling a market deficit as OPEC+ is cutting down production. A Pinch of Caution: On the flip side, the International Energy Agency (IEA) isn’t wearing rose-colored glasses. They’re still betting on a market surplus in 2024, even with a demand growth of 1.1 mbpd next year. Current Prices: As for the numbers that matter, Brent crude is hovering around $77, while WTI is at about $72.
| | | Now, let’s talk metals. It’s like they’ve had a shot of espresso – things are looking up, thanks to a weaker dollar and some reassuring news from China. | China’s Industrial Comeback: Industrial production in China jumped by 6.6% in November. This boost has sent copper ($8550/tonne), aluminum ($2200/tonne), and zinc ($2500/tonne) prices soaring. Gold’s Golden Moment: Gold is strutting its stuff, crossing the $2,000/oz mark. This surge is all thanks to bond yields taking a chill pill.
| Crypto: A Bit Of A Rollercoaster |
|
| | Ah, cryptocurrencies – never a dull moment! After an impressive eight-week winning streak, Bitcoin decided to take a breather, dipping by 2.5% and slipping below the $43,000 mark. | Ether Follows Suit: Not wanting to miss out, Ether, Ethereum’s pride and joy, also took a step back, dropping to around $2250, a 3.8% decrease this week. Profit-Taking Time: It seems like some crypto traders are cashing in their chips after Bitcoin’s 56% surge in two months. This profit-taking could be why we’re seeing a bit of a slowdown. Eyes on the SEC: The crypto world is holding its breath for the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) decision on a Bitcoin Spot ETF. The word on the street is that we might see some positive responses early next year. So, crypto enthusiasts, keep your fingers crossed this holiday season!
| | | | | | | As we gear up for the festive season, the economic calendar is brimming with anticipation. Next week promises a flurry of activity in the financial world, with significant updates on housing, manufacturing, and consumer sentiment. But hey, let’s not forget the highlight: the monthly update on core PCE. This is a big deal, folks! | Core PCE: The Star Of The Show |
|
| The Federal Reserve, our financial watchdog, keeps a close eye on the core PCE as its go-to inflation gauge. The forecast? A modest 0.2% rise month-over-month in November. This might not sound like much, but it’s crucial. It nudges the year-over-year rate down to a comfy +3.4%. What’s more, this aligns with the Fed’s inflation target of just above 2.0% over six months. If the core PCE hits near these expectations, we might hear more chatter about lower interest rates. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love the sound of that? | What The Markets Are Saying | Right now, the buzz in the markets is palpable. Federal funds futures trading is hinting at a whopping 95% chance that the Fed’s target rate will dip below its current level post the May FOMC meeting. That’s a big bet on a rate cut! | Global Perspectives: Bank Of Japan In The Spotlight |
|
| Globally, all eyes are on the Bank of Japan. Their meeting next week could mark a dramatic shift, potentially ending the era of negative interest rates. This is huge, as it signals a significant shift in economic policy for Japan. | Earnings Reports: A Busy Week Ahead |
|
| The U.S. is not short on action either. We’ve got a lineup of notable earnings reports: | Monday, December 18: HEICO (HEI) steps into the earnings spotlight. Tuesday, December 19: Watch out for FedEx (FDX), Accenture (ACN), FactSet (FDS), and FuelCell Energy (FCEL). Wednesday, December 20: General Mills (GIS), Micron Technology (MU), Toro (TTC), and Winnebago (WGO) take the stage. Thursday, December 21: CarMax (KMX), Paychex (PAYX), Carnival (CCL), and Nike (NKE) round off the week.
| Dividends: Who’s Upping Their Game? |
|
| Dividend enthusiasts, take note! Several companies are projected to boost their payouts: | ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS): Jumping to $0.30 from $0.28. WEC Energy (WEC): Rising to $0.83 from $0.78. Fulton Financial (FULT): Increasing to $0.17 from $0.16. FMC Corp. (FMC): Climbing to $0.60 from $0.58.
| |
|
