US Rates worries drove stocks sharply lower
In a week of mostly light summer trading, stocks pulled back sharply as investors became less optimistic that the Fed will be able to tame inflation without causing a significant economic slowdown. Growth stocks fared worst in this environment as the Nasdaq Composite Index fell to its lowest level in a month. Rising oil prices fed into inflation worries but also boosted energy stocks. Most of the market’s moves came at the end of the week as central bankers gathered at the Fed’s annual symposium in Jackson Hole. Fed Chairman Powell’s comments were “resolutely hawkish”, leading to a sharp decline of global stocks on Friday. Indeed, previous expectations of a Fed pivot seem premature, leading investors to anticipate a reversal of the summer rally. Much of the week’s economic data surprised on the downside. However, the U.S.Treasury yields moved higher for much of the week. In Europe, the STOXX Europe 600 Index ended the week 2.6% lower. Core eurozone government bond yields moved higher amid rising expectations of more sharp increases in interest rates. The surge of natural gas prices also weighed on sentiment. Eurozone business activity shrank for a 2nd consecutive month in August, another sign of a possible recession in Q3. China’s stock markets declined as extreme temperatures and power shortages in some provinces raised concerns about the growth outlook.
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The S&P 500 closed at a fresh all-time high on Friday, rising for a 5th consecutive week, its longest weekly winning streak since 2024. This brings the index up +15% since the March 30 low, also marking April as the best month for stocks since November 2022. Stocks largely shrugged off the stream of sometimes conflicting headlines about the war in the Middle East and a surprisingly hawkish Federal Reserve policy meeting to post solid gains in most major indexes. Large-cap stocks outpaced small-caps, and value outperformed growth. Five of the “Mag 7” companies reported earnings, with financial results generally meeting or exceeding expectations for these bellwether firms. Meanwhile, major central banks keep rates on hold amid war uncertainty.


