S&P 500 breaks records: the most successful quarter in the last five years

Amid the latest economic data, the S&P 500 ended the week with positive dynamics, marking its best quarterly result in the last five years. Investors are optimistic about the future, awaiting new information on inflation.

Breakout of leading indices

In addition to the S&P 500, two other key US indices also posted significant gains this quarter. The 10.16% rise for the S&P 500 was driven by growing interest in artificial intelligence stocks and speculation that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year.

Dow Jones on the verge of historic achievement

The Dow Jones index is approaching a significant milestone of 40,000 points, less than 1% away from this goal.

Economic progress and labor market sustainability

The latest data shows the US economy grew faster than expected in the fourth quarter, helped by strong consumer spending. Additionally, the decline in initial unemployment claims underscores the stability in the labor market.

Optimism among experts

"The economy and consumers are doing well as they continue to spend. Unemployment remains low and there are regions where the economy is thriving... There are funds that want to be spent in a variety of ways," shares George Young, portfolio manager at Villere & Company.

Nasdaq reaches new heights

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index also posted its first record peak since November 2021, opening up new opportunities for investors.

Belief in a "soft landing" of the economy

A key factor in this year's success has been investor confidence in the possibility of a "soft landing" for the economy, which involves lowering inflation without leading to a major recession.

Looking to the future: soft landing is a priority

A BofA Global Research survey conducted in March shows more than two-thirds of asset managers view a soft landing as the most likely scenario for the economy over the next 12 months, while just 11% expect a hard landing.

Fed maintains optimism

The March Federal Reserve meeting, which confirmed expectations of three interest rate cuts during the year while improving the economic outlook, added confidence to investors.

Overcoming rising bond yields

The stock has successfully weathered the rise in Treasury yields that previously weighed on stock prices heading into 2023. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note reached 4.2%, up from 3.86% at the end of last year.

Expanding the Boundaries of Optimism

BlackRock Investment Institute strategists say risk optimism could expand beyond the tech sector thanks to the integration of AI across industries, as well as support from the Federal Reserve and slowing inflation. This is pushing for more investment in US stocks.

Rising share prices reflect confidence

The forward price-to-earnings ratio for the S&P 500 reached 21, a two-year high and reflecting increased investor optimism in the stock market, according to LSEG Datastream.

Wind of change in the stock market

The stock market remains under the influence of large companies that dictated trends in 2023. However, the current year has brought diversity to growth dynamics, especially among the tech giants known as the "Magnificent Seven."

Artificial Intelligence Stars

Nvidia stands out, posting impressive growth of over 80% thanks to its role as a leader in AI chips. Meta Platforms is also showing notable success, increasing its value by 37% and paying dividends for the first time in February.

Tests for titans of technology

At the same time, not all major players are lucky. Apple faces an 11% loss as the company comes under pressure in China and from regulators. Tesla is also experiencing a 29% decline, driven by concerns about demand for electric vehicles.

Redistribution of influence

According to S&P Dow Jones Indices, the Magnificent Seven are responsible for 40% of the S&P 500's year-to-date gain, down significantly from last year, when they contributed more than 60%. This suggests the rally is expanding to other stocks, offsetting the current decline.

A look at inflation ahead of the holiday

Against the backdrop of the upcoming Good Friday celebration and the closure of US stock markets, analysts are eagerly awaiting the publication of the PCE index. The index, the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, will provide insight into the possible timing and extent of upcoming interest rate cuts.

Minor changes compared to expectations

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained some ground, gaining 0.12%, while the S&P 500 also rose a modest 0.11%. In contrast, the Nasdaq Composite fell slightly by 0.12%, reflecting the market's mixed reaction to the current economic outlook.

Weekly and monthly achievements

Over the past week, the Dow Jones rose 0.84%, the S&P 500 rose 0.39%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.3%. March gains were notable, with the Dow Jones up 2.08%, the S&P 500 up 3.1% and the Nasdaq up 1.79%. This quarter was marked by significant gains for all three indexes: the Dow by 5.62%, the S&P 500 by 10.16%, and the Nasdaq by 9.11%.

Comment from the Fed confirms caution

Federal Reserve Chairman Christopher Waller noted that despite the disappointing inflation data, the Fed should show restraint in cutting short-term interest rates. However, he did not rule out the possibility of a rate cut later this year, emphasizing the readiness for further regulatory action in response to the economic situation.

Fed Interest Rate Forecasts

Market analysts assign a 64% chance that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by 25 basis points by June, based on an analysis of data from CME's FedWatch Tool.

Sectoral achievements and failures

Among key sectors, communications, energy and technology stood out as the best performers in the quarter, while the real estate sector faced losses. This distribution of indicators reflects the changing priorities and interests of investors in the market.

Expanding investment horizons

According to Anthony Saglimbene, chief market strategist at Ameriprise, the observed trends suggest that investors are starting to explore opportunities outside the dominance of big tech companies, anticipating lower interest rates later in the year.

Focus on the winners of the AI era

Investors are also cautiously optimistic about which companies stand to benefit most from the increased use of artificial intelligence, tailoring their investment strategies to upcoming technology trends.

AI boom attracts attention

Nvidia continues to lead the AI push, but excitement around the technology has also spread to other chipmakers such as Super Micro Computer and Arm Holdings. Astera Labs, another player in this arena, impressed the market by doubling its stock price from its initial public offering price in just a week.

Healthcare in Focus

Walgreens Boots shares rose sharply following its quarterly earnings report, where the company noted a 3.19% decline in the value of its investment in medical clinic operator VillageMD.

Strategic moves in retail

Home Depot shares fell slightly after announcing the largest acquisition in the company's history, the purchase of building materials supplier SRS Distribution for $18.25 billion. The move highlights the retailer's strategic efforts to expand its presence in the market.

Financial future on the horizon: US stocks rise ahead of consumer price news

On Tuesday, ahead of the release of key inflation data, the Nasdaq and S&P 500 indices showed moderate growth, despite a decline in the financial sector. This happened ahead of the reporting season for leading US banks, which begins on Friday.

The Nasdaq Composite, supported by strength in semiconductors, posted a notable gain, while the S&P 500 gained minimally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed almost unchanged.

Investors were focused on Wednesday's consumer price index, which could have a significant impact on the Federal Reserve's interest rate adjustment decisions in light of recent positive economic data, including an impressive labor market report.

Among the large banks whose reports interested the market were JPMorgan Chase & Co, Wells Fargo & Co and Citigroup Inc, which are included in the S&P banking index and showed a decline in their activity in recent trading.

"Financial companies' first-quarter earnings typically set the pace for the entire season," said Bill Northey, who serves as senior director of investments at U.S. Bank Wealth Management in Billings, Montana. "We see cyclical sectors as a measure of the overall health of the corporate landscape in the United States."

Analysts predict that inflation will gradually decline toward the Federal Reserve's target level of 2%. However, the National Federation of Independent Business on Tuesday reported optimism among small businesses fell to an 11-year low in March, with inflation as the top concern.

"The decline in small business sentiment is a key signal," Green emphasized. "This is a repeat of the trend of recent years, where large companies feel confident, while small businesses experience significant difficulties."

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 9.13 points, or 0.02%, to close at 38883.67. The S&P 500 rose 7.52 points, or 0.14%, to finish at 5209.91, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 52.68 points, or 0.32%, to close at 16306.64.

Of the 11 key sectors in the S&P 500, nine posted gains, with real estate posting the biggest gains. The financial services sector showed the least dynamics.

According to the latest forecasts from LSEG, overall first-quarter earnings growth for S&P 500 companies is expected to reach 5% year over year, down from initial expectations of 7.2% at the start of the quarter.

Stocks related to cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology fell, reflecting the decline in the value of Bitcoin. In particular, shares of Coinbase Global and software developer MicroStrategy lost 5.5% and 4.8%, respectively.

Moderna stock stood out, however, rising 6.2% after announcing positive results from an early-stage trial of a customized cancer vaccine developed with Merck.

Alphabet Inc shares also rose 1.1%, moving the company closer to the significant milestone of a $2 trillion market capitalization.

On the New York Stock Exchange, advancers outnumbered decliners by a 1.44-to-1 ratio. On the Nasdaq, advancers outnumbered decliners by a 1.33-to-1 ratio.

Oil prices fell for the second day in a row as negotiations to reach a truce in Gaza continue, encountering obstacles from Egyptian and Qatari mediators. On Monday, Brent oil prices fell for the first time in the last five trading sessions, while the price of American oil fell for the first time in the last seven days.

The US dollar is showing stability amid investors' anticipation of the upcoming US inflation data expected on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen remains near its multi-year lows, prompting vigilance among traders about possible moves by Japan to stabilize the currency.

Those expectations bode well for the big banks' first quarterly earnings reports on Friday.

"We are on the verge of important inflation data and financial reports. Some investors may choose to adopt a more conservative strategy ahead of these key events," said Jeff Kleintop, chief global investment strategist at Schwab.

"Despite the stock market's strong first quarter performance, the question remains whether earnings were strong enough to support this development, and whether guidance from business leaders will be able to confirm the more confident growth expectations that the market has already priced in?"

At the beginning of the trading day, the shares showed growth, but then the dynamics weakened, and by the close of trading, some of them were able to partially recover lost positions.

Gene Goldman, chief investment officer at Cetera Investment Management, said: "With current high valuations and questions about the Federal Reserve's rate plans, markets are reflecting the situation with perfect accuracy. Any higher-than-expected CPI reading could make it difficult to be optimistic about a Fed rate cut."

The MSCI global equity index rose 1.32 points, or 0.17%, to 779.36, recovering from an earlier decline of about 0.5%.

Europe's STOXX 600 index fell 0.61% as investors awaited a policy statement from the European Central Bank on Thursday, paying particular attention to any comments from President Christine Lagarde about a possible rate cut in June.

US Treasury yields fell in anticipation of the release of US inflation data.

Expectations for a rate cut in the US have weakened amid continued economic activity. Markets place the likelihood of a 25 basis point rate cut in June at about 56%, down from 61.5% last week, according to analysis from CME Group's FedWatch tool.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell 6.6 basis points to 4.358%, down from 4.424% at the end of the previous day, while the 30-year yield fell 5.7 basis points to 4.4964%. with 4.553%.

The yield on two-year U.S. Treasury notes, which often reacts to changes in interest rate expectations, eased 5.1 basis points, falling to 4.7384% from 4.789% late Monday.

The foreign exchange market was little changed, with the US dollar index down 0.02% at 104.09, while the euro weakened 0.01% at $1.0857. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar lost 0.03% to settle at 151.74.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki stressed the country is open to all options to deal with the yen's excessive fluctuations, reiterating its readiness to act in response to the currency's recent sharp decline.

In energy, despite ongoing instability in the Middle East, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has adjusted upward its forecasts for US crude oil production for the current and next years, and also raised its forecasts for global and domestic oil prices .

US oil prices fell 1.39%, or $1.20, to $85.23 per barrel. At the same time, Brent crude oil prices fell 1.06%, or $0.96, to trade at $89.42 per barrel.

Analysts said the spot price of gold hit a new record for eight straight sessions, supported by strong buying by central banks and rising geopolitical instability.

The price of spot gold increased by 0.57%, reaching $2,352.23 per ounce. At the same time, gold futures in the US showed an increase of 0.84%, settling at $2,351.40 per ounce.

Trading Signals for GOLD (XAU/USD) for April 16-18, 2024: sell below $2,390 (21 SMA - 61.8% Fibonacci)

Yesterday during the American session, gold reached a low of 2,325, the level that coincided with the 200 EMA and from that area, it gained a strong bullish momentum, jumping by more than $50 in less than 24 hours.

From the all-time high at 2,431 to the April 15 low (2,324), gold has retraced the 61.8% Fibonacci which coincides around 2,390.

If gold trades below 2,392 in the next few hours, we could look for opportunities to sell with the target at 2,364 (21 SMA). With a consolidation below the 21 SMA, we could expect a further bearish move and gold could fall to the 200 EMA at 2,331.

In case gold continues to rise, the bearish outlook will be invalidated and we could look for opportunities to buy above the psychological level of 2,400. If this scenario occurs and gold consolidates above 2,396, the price is likely to reach 2,410 and could finally reach 2,435 (7/8 Murray).

Technically, the eagle indicator is giving a negative signal and there will likely be a technical correction in the next few hours, so we will look to sell below 2,392 with the target at 2,330.

Gold edges lower as Middle East tensions ease

The yellow metal continues to decline, plunging investors into gloom and prompting them to reassess their trading strategies. However, some analysts are confident that the precious metal will rebound in the near future, viewing its decline as a natural step before another rally. The optimism of experts bolsters investors, although some market players remain skeptical about the near-term prospects of gold.

On Monday, April 22, the precious metal sharply fell amid reduced geopolitical risks and decreased demand for safe-haven assets. As a result, gold lost more than 2.7%. According to estimates, gold's decline at the end of the day was the most significant since June 2022.

The metal depreciated amid easing tensions in the Middle East. Such a development reduced the risk premium in the market. At the moment, gold continues to trade downwards after the sharpest decline in two years.

The catalyst for the current downtrend in the precious metal was the de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran. Against this backdrop, many experts are pessimistic about the near-term prospects of gold. They believe that investors will turn to other sources of capital preservation. According to some specialists, prices for the precious metal may break below the $2,300 per ounce level and then plummet to $2,200 per ounce. Analysts recommend preparing for a significant decline in the yellow metal amid extremely overbought conditions, as indicated by the RSI on the daily chart.

Currency strategists at ABN AMRO Bank have maintained their forecast, according to which gold will lose heavy losses, diving to $2,000 per ounce by the end of 2024. The bank's specialists cite excessively high current prices, dollar strengthening, liquidation of assets in gold ETFs, and the absence of a physical gold shortage in the global market as reasons.

The current drop in the yellow metal (by more than 2.7%) is considered by experts to be the most significant in the last two years. Gold futures quotes on the New York Comex exchange plummeted to $2,346.4 per ounce at the end of Monday's trading, reaching the lowest level since April 5, 2024. On Tuesday, April 23, the precious metal declined by 0.85% and then fell by another 1.3%. Currently, gold is trading at the level of $2,316.45 per ounce.

The precious metal was also weighed down by the high likelihood that the Federal Reserve would maintain a tight monetary policy much longer than expected in early 2024. The focus of market attention is on the publication of the key inflation indicator in the United States - the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, which the regulator pays special attention to when assessing risks. The release of this report is scheduled for Friday, April 26. According to preliminary forecasts, the indicator decreased to 2.6% year-on-year in March. Recall that its February value was 2.8% year-on-year.

Many investors are counting on some easing of geopolitical tensions. At the same time, market participants are switching to riskier assets such as stocks. According to CFTC data, the volume of major market players' long positions in gold futures and options is at a four-year high. The reason for profit-taking was the fairly rapid decline in the value of the precious metal. In addition, in recent months, gold has appreciated despite a steep rally in the greenback. In the current situation, the risks of a deep correction in the precious metal are increasing.

However, according to some analysts, there are favorable factors contributing to further gans in gold. Tailwinds for the yellow metal will be the US Federal Reserve's rate cuts, global instability, and the growing US government debt. Against this backdrop, even economists at Bank of America, who are skeptical about the prospects of the precious metal, expect its price to rise to $3,000 by 2025. Analysts at Citi Bank are also bullish on gold, expecting it to gain in the next 6–18 months. Many investors adhere to this position, asserting that the likely record of $3,000 per ounce will be surpassed in a couple of years.

Improvement in forecasts for gold prices in 2024 boosts investor optimism. It is worth noting that these forecasts anticipate an increase in the value of the metal in the near future. Confidence in such a scenario allows market players to weather the current market woes and prepare for an upcoming rise in gold.

More analytics on our website: bit.ly/3VobLUv

Growth continues: Wall Street in green for third day in a row

American stock indices ended trading higher on Monday, marking their third consecutive positive session. Investors are once again raising hopes that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates this year.

Global stock indicators also rose amid optimism about a likely rate cut. At the same time, the Japanese yen weakened against the dollar after a sharp rise last week associated with the proposed currency intervention.

Expectations for US central bank rate cuts fell during the year due to more persistent inflation. Some investors began to fear that a rate cut would not materialize at all, sending markets tumbling in April.

However, Friday's data showed that U.S. job growth slowed more than expected in April. That eased pressure on the Federal Reserve, making it less likely that rates would remain high for long. Combined with an unexpectedly positive corporate earnings season, this has given investors fresh momentum in recent sessions.

Last week, the Fed signaled it was willing to consider cutting interest rates but wanted to make sure inflation was falling sustainably before making that decision. Fed officials repeated that statement Monday.

Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin said the current level of interest rates should slow the economy enough to bring inflation back to the central bank's 2% target. However, a strong labor market provides time to wait.

Traders now expect the Fed to cut rates by 46 basis points by the end of 2024, with the first cut forecast in September or November, according to rate probability app LSEG.

Stocks on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as in Asia, rose. The US labor market report on Friday was softer than expected, leading to renewed bets that the Federal Reserve will ease monetary policy as early as September.

The dollar index, which measures the US currency's exchange rate against six major trading partners, fell for the fourth session in a row. It comes after Friday's data showed the weakest job growth since October, allaying fears that the Fed could raise rates again.

However, the outlook for inflation remains uncertain as the market hopes interest rates will be restrictive enough to slow the economy and reduce the rate of price increases, Conger said.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 176.59 points, or 0.46%, to 38,852.27. The S&P 500 added 52.95 points, or 1.03%, to 5,180.74. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 192.92 points, or 1.19%, to 16,349.25.

Most sectors of the S&P 500 index ended trading on a positive note. The energy sector was one of the top gainers, thanks in part to U.S. natural gas futures hitting their highest level in 14 weeks.

Chipmaker shares were broadly higher on Monday, including Arm Holdings, which added 5.2% ahead of this week's earnings release.

Micron Technology (MU.O) shares rose 4.7% after Baird upgraded the stock. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.O) and Super Micro Computer (SMCI.O) also rose 3.4% and 6.1%, respectively, regaining ground lost after last week's disappointing earnings.

Paramount Global (PARA.O) shares rose 3.1% after exclusive talks with Skydance Media ended without a deal, allowing a special committee to consider offers from other bidders.

Tyson Foods (TSN.N) shares fell 5.7% despite beating Wall Street's second-quarter profit expectations as the company warned of pressure on consumers from persistent inflation.

At the same time, shares of Spirit Airlines (SAVE.N) fell 9.7% to a record low after weak guidance for second-quarter earnings.

The S&P 500 posted 29 new 52-week highs and 2 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 150 new highs and 54 new lows.

In Europe, the cross-regional STOXX 600 index (.STOXX) rose 0.53%. It comes amid signs the European Central Bank is confident of cutting rates as euro zone inflation continues to slow, three ECB policy makers said.

Philip Lane, Gediminas Simkus and Boris Vujicic said inflation and growth data supported their belief that eurozone inflation, which stood at 2.4% in April, would fall to the central bank's 2% target by the middle of next year. of the year.

The MSCI World Shares Index (.MIWD00000PUS) rose 0.50% to close at 1,066.73, its highest level since June 2022. Markets in the UK and Japan were closed due to holidays.

The dollar index was down 0.07% at 105.10, lifting the euro 0.07% to $1.0766.

Goldman Sachs raised its 2024 earnings per share growth forecast for companies in the STOXX 600 Index (.STOXX) to 6% from 3%. The bank noted that a 10% annual rise in Brent oil prices adds about 2.5 percentage points to annual earnings per share growth, and a 10% decline in the euro/dollar exchange rate adds about the same.

Treasury yields fell as investors weighed in on sluggish job creation last week, bolstering views that the U.S. economy is not overheated and will not be hampered by rate cuts.

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note fell 1.3 basis points to 4.487% from 4.5% late Friday.

Traders now expect the Fed to cut rates by 43 basis points by year-end, with the first cut likely to come in September, according to rate probability app LSEG. Traders have cut their expectations to one cut in recent weeks due to signs of persistent inflation.

Oil prices rose after Saudi Arabia raised June crude oil prices for most regions. In addition, the unlikely prospect of a quick ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has revived fears of renewed fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces.

U.S. crude rose 37 cents to $78.48 a barrel and Brent crude rose 37 cents to $83.33 a barrel.

MSCI's index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) hit its highest level since February 2023, adding 0.66%, while the blue-chip China index (.CSI300) rose 1.5%.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (.HSI) rose 4.7% last week, posting its longest daily winning streak since 2018. The index closed 0.55% higher on Monday.

Elsewhere, traders remain wary of potential yen volatility following past suspicions that Japanese authorities would intervene to stem the currency's sharp decline.

Tokyo is believed to have spent more than 9 trillion yen ($59 billion) to prop up its currency last week, pushing the yen from a 34-year low of 160.245 to about a one-month high of 151.86 per dollar, according to the Bank of Japan. within a week.

On Monday, the yen gave up some of its ground and was last trading at 153.95 per dollar, representing a decline of 0.63%.

Gold prices rose amid a weakening dollar. US gold futures for June delivery rose 0.9% to $2,331.20 an ounce.

Bitcoin added 0.65% to $63,343.00, while Ethereum was down 1.2% to $3,077.3.

Trading Signals for XAU/USD (GOLD) for May 14-16, 2024: buy above $2,342 (21 SMA - rebound)

Gold is trading around 2,343, around the 21 SMA, and within the uptrend channel forming since early May. Gold, after a strong technical correction below 2,375, found a bottom around 2,330 which gave it an opportunity to recover.

The H4 chart shows that gold could resume its bullish cycle if it consolidates above 2,340 or 2,330 in the coming days.

If gold keeps its uptrend channel intact, a technical bounce around 2,330 would be a key point to buy with targets at 2,375 and 2,392. At this level, gold left a GAP on April 18 and the price is likely to reach this area so the GAP will be covered in the next few days.

If gold breaks and consolidates below 2,330, the outlook could be negative and we could expect a change in trend. Therefore, gold could reach 5/8 Murray located at 2,312 and the 200 EMA located at 2,301.

We believe that in the next few hours, gold could gain momentum and we can look for opportunities to buy, only if it settles above 2,330. Any pullback in the price will be seen as an opportunity to buy with targets at 2,355, 2,375, and 2,392.

On May 10, the eagle indicator reached the oversold zone and we believe that gold could resume its bullish cycle as we see a relief in the bearish pressure so that gold could continue to rise.

USD loses its downward momentum

Today, the dollar index is trying to limit the falls of the last few days and is above 104.2. The EUR/USD exchange rate approached the 1.0900 mark.

This is more of an emotional outburst. The markets are evaluating the new inflation figures in the US. Already today, emotions should subside, as traders will start analyzing the situation with a cool head.

After the inflation publication, the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis confirmed that it will probably be necessary to keep the rate at the current level for some more time and expressed doubts about how much it is holding the US economy back.

Experts at the Bank of America remain in the same position, believing that the first rate cut will not occur until December. To cut the rate in September, it is necessary that inflation slows further or labor market data weaken even more.

Still, the yield on 10-year US Treasury bonds fell to 4.32% on Wednesday, the lowest level since early April, as softer inflation data gives the Fed more flexibility to cut rates this year.

The dollar index has weakened over the past few days. The DXY is now near the price lows of April (103.95), which is the nearest support level. Perhaps within this range, the dollar's weakening will temporarily slow down. At least that is the picture we see now.

When will the Fed cut rates?

The main question is when the Fed will lower interest rates. This is of interest to analysts and financial market observers. According to analysis and forecasts, the likely month to start cutting rates is still September, as key elements of US inflation have started to show declines.

DNB Markets writes that they believed that current data would not change the likelihood of a rate cut in the autumn, provided inflation data remained moderate and labor market conditions continued to improve. Their forecasts indicate that the market expects the first rate cut in September.

According to inflation data released on Wednesday, overnight index swaps, which reflect traders' expectations of future interest rates, show that the market now fully appreciates the likelihood of a rate cut in September.

Two weeks ago, the first cut was not expected until December.

In 2024, expectations for a Fed rate cut have fallen significantly due to higher inflation in the first quarter of the year. Signals have emerged that some elements of the inflation basket will resist a change.

This boosted US bond yields and the US dollar in currency markets. Such a situation could happen again.

Until core inflation (excluding housing costs) and housing costs decline, the overall inflation rate will not be able to hold steady at the Fed's 2.0% target.

Housing costs, which account for about 40% of the overall consumer price index, have risen as a result of steady increases in home prices and rents in recent years.

However, PNC Bank says the April 2024 consumer price report may bring some relief to Fed policymakers, as the most stable housing and core services segments of the CPI showed the first signs of softening in a long time.

The core CPI declined to 0.2% month-over-month, and house price growth was just +0.2% month-over-month, the lowest since January 2021 (+0.6%).

PNC's forecast of two 25-basis-point rate cuts this year, in September and December, now seems more reasonable than earlier in 2024.

Other analysts are expressing a similar view. Berenberg believes the current inflation data makes it slightly more likely that the Fed will start cutting rates sooner.

"We continue to expect one 25-bp rate cut in December and three further such moves next year to bring the Fed funds target rate to 4.25–4.50%," Berenberg wrote.

Economists at Wells Fargo and Pantheon Macroeconomics also share this view. It takes some favorable inflation indicators for the Fed to feel confident about a rate cut. The first rate cut is possible at the FOMC meeting in September.

Pantheon Macroeconomics argues that the case for expecting a further slowdown in core inflation remains strong. Supply chains have stabilized, wage growth is slowing, and corporate margins remain strong, pointing to the outlook for the future.

Economists also note the lack of threat from global food and energy prices, as well as subdued rent growth and lower car prices. This indicates a slowdown in auto insurance inflation.

Thus, the stage is set for a further slowdown in the core CPI this summer, allowing the Fed to begin easing in September.

With the market consensus increasingly leaning toward a September rate cut, all eyes will be on upcoming macroeconomic data that could confirm these expectations.

Nasdaq records highs and S&P rises: All eyes on Nvidia

The Nasdaq hit record highs on Monday, while the S&P 500 posted modest gains as technology stocks advanced, ahead of Nvidia's results. The market also assessed the likelihood of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

Among the S&P's major sectors, technology .SPLRCT led the pack, rising 1.32%, led by gains from chipmakers including Nvidia, which rose 2.49% ahead of its quarterly earnings report.

Investors are looking at Nvidia's earnings to see whether the artificial intelligence leader will maintain its rapid growth and advantage over rivals.

Several brokerages increased their targets for Nvidia, and Micron Technology (MU.O) shares rose 2.96% after Morgan Stanley upgraded its rating to "equal weight" from "underweight." The PHLX Semiconductor Index (.SOX) rose 2.15%.

Stephen Massocca, a senior vice president at San Francisco-based Wedbush Securities, said: "If Nvidia's results exceed expectations, it could cause a bit of a stir. However, given the high cost, significant growth is unlikely."

"A Fed rate cut could spark a rally, but current data doesn't yet support that scenario."

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) fell 196.82 points, or 0.49%, to 39,806.77. While the S&P 500 Index (.SPX) rose 4.86 points, or 0.09%, to 5,308.13, and the Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC) rose 108.91 points, or 0.65%. , closing at 16,794.87.

The Dow's decline came as JPMorgan (JPM.N) shares fell 4.5% after CEO Jamie Dimon expressed "cautious pessimism" and noted that the company has no plans to buy back shares at current prices.

A strong earnings season and signs of slowing inflation have reignited expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year, pushing major indexes to record levels. Let's remember that last week the Dow Jones index (.DJI) exceeded 40,000 points for the first time.

Fed officials' comments on Monday had little impact on interest rate forecasts, despite their insistence that inflation pressures were easing and emphasizing the importance of a cautious approach.

The minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy meeting are scheduled to be released on Wednesday. Markets estimate the chance of a rate cut of at least 25 basis points at the September meeting at 63.3%.

The latest stock market rally has raised concerns about lofty stock valuations, with the S&P 500 trading at a P/E ratio of 20.8, well above its historical average of 15.9, according to LSEG.

Deutsche Bank raised its end-2024 forecast for the S&P 500 to 5,500 from a previous 5,100, the highest expected level among leading brokerages. In turn, Morgan Stanley predicts that the index will reach 5,400 points by June 2025.

Shares of the Norwegian cruise line (NCLH.N) rose 7.56% after the company raised its full-year profit forecast. On the New York Stock Exchange, advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones by a ratio of 1.14 to 1. At the same time, on the Nasdaq, declining stocks outnumbered advancing ones by a ratio of 1.01 to 1.

The S&P 500 has recorded 58 new highs and four new lows over the past 52 weeks, while the Nasdaq has posted 222 new highs and 101 new lows. Trading volume on US exchanges reached 12.31 billion shares, exceeding the last 20 trading days' average of 11.82 billion.

Asian markets were lower and the dollar held steady on Tuesday ahead of the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest meeting, which could provide clues about the timing and extent of a potential interest rate cut this year.

Gold prices retreated from Monday's record high and oil prices fell on concerns that U.S. interest rates could remain high for a long time due to the Federal Reserve's cautious approach to the recent decline in inflation.

Cryptocurrencies including ether and bitcoin hit new six-week highs amid speculation the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could approve a spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) for ether.

MSCI's index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS was down 0.9% after the Hang Seng retreated 1.9% from its multi-month high hit on Monday.

Japan's Nikkei (.N225), which tracks technology stocks, subsequently edged 0.1% lower after rising to record highs overnight.

Nasdaq futures fell 0.06%, while S&P 500 futures remained steady after rising 0.1% the previous day.

"Market sentiment continues to remain relatively stable with low implied volatility, supported by confidence in the possibility of US interest rate cuts this year," Kyle Rodda, senior markets analyst at Capital.com, said in an analysis.

In addition, record price levels for metals such as gold and copper "act as indicators of a pick-up in economic activity around the world, which in turn could act as a headwind for inflation," Rodda added.

Gold fell 0.3% to around $2,417 an ounce, after first rising to $2,450 overnight.

The dollar held its ground against major currencies, with the dollar index remaining at 104.62, recovering from a five-week low of 104.07 recorded on Thursday.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield was little changed at 4.4433% after rising 1.7 basis points on Monday.

Brent crude fell 0.7% to $83.17 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 0.7% to $79.22 a barrel.

At the same time, after the announcement that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unexpectedly required exchanges wishing to trade Ethereum ETFs to update their regulatory documents, traders were actively purchasing cryptocurrencies. The development raised expectations that approval for trading could come as soon as this week, sending the market to new highs.

Bitcoin hit $71,957 while Ethereum rose to $3,720.80, both setting highs not seen since April 9.

"Expectations regarding the approval of the Ethereum ETF have significantly impacted market activity, adding to the already growing bullish trend in the cryptocurrency space. The move gained further momentum after lower-than-expected US CPI data was released last week," said IG analyst Tony Sycamore.

Sycamore predicts that Bitcoin could soon again reach its all-time high of $73,803.25 and possibly even surpass the $80,000 mark.

Ups and downs: market reaction to the Fed and Nvidia's success

American stock markets fell on Wednesday, caused by investors' reaction to the published minutes of the latest Federal Reserve meeting. At the same time, Nvidia shares rose sharply, rising 6% in after-hours trading after announcing earnings that beat analysts' expectations.

The announcement also boosted share prices of other companies in the chip manufacturing sector. Investors' attention has been focused on Nvidia's (NVDA.O) ability to meet strong first-quarter guidance and the potential to sustain growth in artificial intelligence stocks.

Nvidia shares, which ended the trading day lower, are up about 90% this year, following an impressive 240% gain in 2023.

"The market is looking for confirmation from Nvidia that they are able to maintain leadership despite their current successes... and what will happen to their strategic vision in the future and how they justify current estimates of their value," commented Megan Horneman, chief investment officer at Verdance Capital Advisors in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

"The most important thing is company valuations. Regardless of how the market reacts to the news, we must look closely at the financial statements and valuations offered for these companies' shares to understand how overvalued they may be," she added.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI lost 201.95 points, or 0.51%, to close at 39,671.04. The S&P 500 Index (.SPX) was down 14.40 points, or 0.27%, at 5,307.01. And the Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC fell 31.08 points, or 0.18%, to finish the day at 16,801.54.

Stocks fluctuated throughout most of the trading session, but lost ground after the release of Federal Reserve meeting minutes revealed that central bankers still expect inflation to slow but admit it will be a long process, prompting disappointment due to latest inflation data.

The Fed's meeting, held from April 30 to May 1, followed a quarter of stable inflation but came ahead of later data indicating a potential easing in price pressures.

Stocks hit record highs this month, thanks in part to optimism in artificial intelligence, a strong earnings season and renewed expectations of a Fed rate cut this year.

Analysts expect the S&P 500 to remain near current levels of around 5,302 by year's end, but caution that significant gains in the index could lead to a correction in the coming months.

According to CME's FedWatch Tool, the likelihood of the Fed cutting rates by 25 basis points by the September meeting is estimated by markets at 59%, down from the previous level of 65.7%.

Shares of Analog Devices (ADI.O) rose 10.86% after announcing it expected third-quarter revenue to beat estimates.

The energy sector (.SPNY) was the worst performer, down 1.83%, as oil prices continued to decline for a third straight session.

Retail chain Target (TGT.N) shares fell 8.03% as its quarterly earnings and guidance for the current quarter fell below expectations.

While TJ Maxx parent TJX Companies (TJX.N) shares rose 3.5% on improved full-year profit forecasts.

Decliners outnumbered advancers by a 2.75-to-1 ratio on the New York Stock Exchange and 1.5-to-1 on the Nasdaq.

Mixed quarterly results from Target (TGT.N) and TJX (TJX.N) sparked discussions about the stability of US consumer activity.

Nvidia's upcoming quarterly report presents a new test for the US stock rally, which is heavily dependent on the outlook for artificial intelligence technology.

Investor sentiment has strengthened, according to Bassuk: "The market as a whole, the semiconductor sector and especially Nvidia, may have grown too fast and too much. We believe there is excessive hype around Nvidia and investors should approach their stock purchases with greater caution."

Statistics showed that the volume of real estate sales in the United States was below experts' expectations. At the same time, unexpectedly high core inflation figures in the UK have led investors to abandon bets on a possible interest rate cut by the Bank of England next month.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced elections on July 4. His Conservative Party is expected to concede to the Labor Party.

"Sunak is probably counting on a surprise effect... but this is unlikely to have much impact on markets," said Jane Foley, head of currency strategy at Rabobank in London. "It doesn't change the fact that Labor is 20 points ahead in the polls."

European shares retreated on reports of high inflation in the UK and news that China could impose tariffs on imported cars.

The pan-European STOXX 600 Index (.STOXX) was down 0.34% and the MSCI Global Share Index (.MIWD00000PUS) was down 0.39%.

Emerging market shares rose 0.12%. MSCI's broad index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS ended the session 0.31% higher, while Japan's Nikkei .N225 fell 0.85%.

The 10-year US Treasury yield rose from session lows following the release of Fed minutes.

At the last meeting, the 10-year Treasury note fell 4/32 in price, yielding 4.4276%, up from 4.414% at the end of the previous day.

The price of the 30-year US Treasury note rose to 4.5443% after rising 5/32 from 4.554% recorded Tuesday evening.

The US dollar strengthened against major world currencies. The dollar index (.DXY) rose 0.26%, while the euro weakened 0.29% to $1.0823.

The Japanese yen lost 0.39% to trade at 156.78 per dollar. The British pound was up 0.05% on the day, trading at $1.2713.

Oil prices extended their decline for a third straight day amid concerns that the US Federal Reserve's tight monetary policy could dampen demand.

The price of US WTI crude oil fell by 1.39%, reaching $77.57 per barrel, while Brent crude oil traded at $81.90 per barrel, down 1.18% from the previous value.

Gold prices also fell, moving away from recent record highs. The spot gold price fell 1.8% to $2,379.22 an ounce.
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In the thick of things: inflation in the West and financial news from the East

Experts are looking forward to the release of the US personal consumption price (PCE) index this Friday, which is a key indicator for the Federal Reserve System (Fed).

The data is expected to provide insight into future interest rate movements for the remainder of the year. Markets have already adjusted to the possibility of a rate hike, based on recently released Fed meeting minutes and muted comments from officials expressing doubts about a sustained decline in inflation.

Earlier this month, separate reports showed moderate growth in consumer prices, which was below expectations. This has raised hopes of a possible rate cut this year after months of higher inflation.

Minutes of the Fed's latest meetings confirmed that regulators expect price pressures to ease, although they cautioned that it will be necessary to wait several months before they can be sure that the 2% inflation target has been achieved before undertaking new economic initiatives.

This week, market participants will expect a series of speeches from a number of key figures from the Federal Reserve, including Michelle Bowman, Loretta Mester from the Cleveland Fed, Lisa Cook, John Williams from the New York Fed and Raphael Bostic from the Atlanta Fed. These events will provide investors with additional guidance regarding the current economic climate.

Also included in the economic agenda are updated estimates of first-quarter U.S. economic growth due Thursday, as well as the Federal Reserve's Beige Book report scheduled for Wednesday. These data will provide additional information about the state of the economy, which could influence future monetary policy decisions.

At the upcoming June meeting, the European Central Bank (ECB) is likely to take steps to cut interest rates from the current record level of 4%. However, the pace of further rate cuts remains an open question, especially in the context of upcoming eurozone inflation data on Friday, which could indicate continued price pressures.

Eurozone inflation is expected to rise to 2.5% per annum in May from 2.4% in April, while core inflation will remain at 2.7%. This should not prevent the ECB from cutting rates in June, although some officials have spoken out against further easing of monetary policy.

Next week will also see the release of important economic data for the eurozone, including the Ifo business climate index in Germany on Monday and the ECB's survey of inflation expectations on Tuesday.

Market attention is focused on the upcoming inflation data in Tokyo, which will be published this Friday. Analysts and investors are analyzing this data in an attempt to predict possible changes in the Bank of Japan's monetary policy, especially in the context of the expected next interest rate hike.

This publication will take place two weeks before the Bank of Japan meeting, at which, as experts suggest, a second rate hike may occur after a significant decision in March. The country is under growing pressure on the central bank to raise rates as the yen continues to weaken, raising the cost of imported goods and weighing on consumer demand.

Also this Friday, the Japanese Ministry of Finance will present data on the latest interventions in the foreign exchange market and changes in the bond purchase schedule of the Bank of Japan. Investors will be closely watching for a possible reduction in purchases by the central bank.

Early in the week on Monday, China will release industrial profit data for the past year, allowing analysts and investors to assess whether April's performance recovered from a big drop in March. The drop weighed on the country's economic growth in the first quarter, which slowed to 4.3%.

The official PMIs for the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors will be released on Friday. Economists forecast that the manufacturing PMI should exceed the threshold of 50 for the third time in a row in May, indicating growth in the sector.

Beijing has set an ambitious target for economic growth of around 5% this year, but many experts say that target is difficult to achieve. Continued difficulties in the real estate sector and weak consumer demand continue to be major headwinds for the world's second-largest economy.

Oil prices rose 1% on Friday, but ended the week in the red on expectations that strong economic growth in the US could keep interest rates high for an extended period, which in turn would weigh on fuel demand.

Brent prices fell 2.1% during the week, marking the largest number of consecutive declines since early January. The US WTI fell 2.8% for the week.

High interest rates lead to rising borrowing costs, which could limit economic activity and reduce demand for oil. However, overall oil demand remains high, according to Morgan Stanley analysts.

They estimate that global consumption of liquid petroleum products will increase by about 1.5 million barrels per day this year.

Weak demand for gasoline in the United States is compensated by an increase in global demand, especially noticeable at the beginning of the year, experts emphasize.

The main events by the morning: May 30

Russia and China can withdraw their financial operations from the influence of the West. The countries are able to develop independent transaction mechanisms among themselves. For example, through regional banks, sanctions against which do not interfere with their work. Moreover, American bankers are afraid of the isolation of the Russian economy, which could push other countries to accelerate the abandonment of the dollar.

The United States plans to increase sanctions pressure on Russia. America seeks to limit Russia's access to foreign components for the military-industrial complex, said Deputy Head of the US Treasury Department Adeyemo. However, according to him, in order to achieve this goal, the United States will need the support of its allies.

Russian diamonds have found new markets. In January-April, Hong Kong increased purchases of Russian diamonds by more than 15 times, to $527 million. Thanks to this, Hong Kong's total imports from Russia reached $1.1 billion, which is the highest since 2011.

The world's central banks continue to buy gold, but prefer not to store it in the United States. The economies of Africa and the Middle East are actively exporting their gold from American vaults. According to Roscongress, 68% of countries already store their gold reserves on their territory, whereas in 2020 this figure was 50%. The trend for the sale of US Treasury bonds is also increasing.

In Thailand, payment with «Mir» cards can be launched, but this may not happen soon. The Russian embassy in the country stated that negotiations on this issue are already underway. However, due to the sanctions pressure on Thailand from the West, the parties are not yet ready to give clear deadlines.
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