The First Slice for Wednesday, December 13, 2023
In 2023, U.S. stocks hit fresh highs, sparking excitement among investors, but it all hinges on what the Federal Reserve decides. The stock market’s surge followed an inflation report that was largely in line with expectations, though slightly higher than desired. With the Federal Reserve set to announce its interest rate decision, investors are eagerly awaiting clarity on the potential rate cuts. The cost of living in the U.S. saw a modest month-over-month increase of 0.1%, while year-over-year inflation eased slightly from 3.2% to 3.1%.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 173.01 points or 0.5%.
- The S&P 500 went up 21.26 points, or 0.5%.
- The Nasdaq Composite rose 100.91 points or 0.7%.
Investors are cautiously optimistic, focusing on the positive aspects of the market. Core inflation, excluding food and energy prices, rose by 0.3% monthly, in line with expectations. However, inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, making the last leg of the journey the most challenging. The Federal Reserve is expected to keep borrowing costs unchanged. Still, attention is now on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s press conference and the “dot plot,” with investors seeking confirmation of a possible rate cut in 2024. Fed funds futures indicate a growing expectation of a rate cut in May.
Despite the recent market rally, driven primarily by major tech companies, other stocks are catching up as inflation moderates and the Fed adopts a more cautious stance. The S&P 500 index has rallied 21% this year, with hopes that slowing inflation will pave the way for interest rate cuts in the near future………
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