WEEKLY SUMMARY: Encouraging inflation reports but rate fears remain
The Dow Jones was up for a 4th week in a row as investors weighed slowing growth signals against signs that inflation pressures were receding a bit more than expected. In the US, Materials and industrials shares outperformed while Technology lagged mainly due to NVIDIA decline. Banking giants JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup kicked off Q1 earnings season. All three topped consensus estimates and brought some relief to investors. The most highly anticipated event of the week was the US CPI report for March on Wednesday. Headline CPI rose only 0.1%, a tick below expectations, bringing the yoy rate to 5.0%, the slowest pace since 5/2021. Thursday brought further encouraging inflation news on the producer side. The core PPI index declined 0.1% in March, marking the first since the height of the pandemic shutdowns in April 2020. On Friday, the University of Michigan’s preliminary gauge of consumer sentiment rose surprisingly. Bond investors seemed to interpret Friday’s data as giving the Fed room to lift rates further, resulting in a rise in longer-term U.S. Treasury yields. Stocks in Europe rose as recession fears waned. Japanese equities gained over the week, with the Nikkei 225 Index rising 3.5%. Sentiment was boosted by Warren Buffett saying that Berkshire Hathaway would increase its investments in Japan. Gold had a great week, hitting record highs before giving up some gains on Friday. Bitcoin held above $30k and Ethereum soared above $2100.
Disclaimer
This marketing document has been issued by Bank Syz Ltd. It is not intended for distribution to, publication, provision or use by individuals or legal entities that are citizens of or reside in a state, country or jurisdiction in which applicable laws and regulations prohibit its distribution, publication, provision or use. It is not directed to any person or entity to whom it would be illegal to send such marketing material. This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, solicitation or recommendation for the subscription, purchase, sale or safekeeping of any security or financial instrument or for the engagement in any other transaction, as the provision of any investment advice or service, or as a contractual document. Nothing in this document constitutes an investment, legal, tax or accounting advice or a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate for an investor's particular and individual circumstances, nor does it constitute a personalized investment advice for any investor. This document reflects the information, opinions and comments of Bank Syz Ltd. as of the date of its publication, which are subject to change without notice. The opinions and comments of the authors in this document reflect their current views and may not coincide with those of other Syz Group entities or third parties, which may have reached different conclusions. The market valuations, terms and calculations contained herein are estimates only. The information provided comes from sources deemed reliable, but Bank Syz Ltd. does not guarantee its completeness, accuracy, reliability and actuality. Past performance gives no indication of nor guarantees current or future results. Bank Syz Ltd. accepts no liability for any loss arising from the use of this document.
Related Articles
Stocks suffered their worst week in six months as an avalanche of geopolitical and macro-economic headlines crossed paths with an ugly technical situation. The S&P 500, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 indices all fell by over 3%, while the Dow Jones shed 2.37%, erasing most of its year-to-date gains. Ongoing uncertainty around trade policy remained a focal point throughout the week. Macro data shows manufacturing growth slowing while services activity is accelerating. The U.S. economy added 151,000 jobs in February, slightly below expectations but ahead of January’s reading of 125,000. In Europe, the STOXX Europe 600 Index ended 0.69% lower, snapping 10 weeks of gains.