Powell warns of caution
The S&P 500 unexpectedly soared to record highs on Monday, after earlier being under pressure due to comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. He signaled that the Fed will not rush into another rate cut, despite market expectations.
The index was supported by positive sentiment, as well as strong monthly and quarterly results. As a result, all three key US indices — the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq — closed the session in the "green zone", updating their historical maximums.
Important signals for the market
Speaking at the National Economic Association conference in Nashville, Powell indicated that the regulator expects two more rate cuts this year if economic indicators meet forecasts. In total, this amounts to 50 basis points, which allows investors to assess the Fed's further steps.
"Many people believe that the Fed's actions are already priced in for the rest of the year," comments Jake Dollarhide, CEO of Longbow Asset Management. "But I think the Fed may have more surprises in store for 2024. It is quite possible that the soft landing scenario will actually happen."
The market reacts to forecasts
The Fed already took a step towards easing policy earlier this month, cutting the rate by 50 basis points. Investors are closely monitoring the likelihood of a similar decision in November, which, according to CME Group, fell to 35% from 37% before Powell's speech and 53% on Friday.
Results of the day: all indices are positive
The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 17.15 points (+0.04%), reaching 42,330.15. The S&P 500 rose by 24.31 points (+0.42%) and ended the day at 5,762.48. The Nasdaq Composite showed an increase of 69.58 points (+0.38%) and closed at 18,189.17.
Now, investors' attention is focused on future Fed statements and economic data, which can either confirm or adjust the market's expectations regarding the further movement of interest rates.
Best September in Seven Years
The S&P 500 ended September with a gain of 2%, which was its best result for this month since 2013. Moreover, this is the fifth month in a row when the S&P 500 has demonstrated positive dynamics. By the end of the quarter, the index added 5.5%, Nasdaq showed growth of 2.6%, and the Dow Jones became the leader, having strengthened by an impressive 8.2%.
Short-Term Volatility
The market reaction to Jerome Powell's statements was mixed. After his speech, the indices went down, but towards the end of the trading session there was a reversal and the market recovered. Experts believe that one of the reasons for this movement could be the activity on the last day of the quarter, when investors are trying to fix their positions.
"There's always a lot of trading activity toward the end of a quarter — it's standard behavior to buy the winners and dump the losers," says Jake Dollarhide, CEO of Longbow Asset Management.
The Fed and Market Expectations
The Federal Reserve is in a wait-and-see period ahead of its November meeting, according to Quincy Crosby, chief global strategist at LPL Financial, as it receives a slew of new economic data that will shape the path of monetary policy.
There are several key releases coming this week, including initial jobless claims and private payrolls. The market is watching these indicators closely as they could impact the rate decision.
CVS Health Stock Rises
The company's stock jumped 2.4% on news that activist shareholder Glenview Capital Management is set to meet with CVS Health executives. According to insiders, the meeting will be devoted to possible changes in the company's strategy to improve its efficiency.
Optimism on the stock markets
On the New York Stock Exchange, the number of shares that showed growth exceeded the number of those that fell by 1.06 to 1. On the Nasdaq, this ratio turned out to be balanced - 1.00 to 1, which indicates an even mood of market participants.
The S&P 500 registered 30 new annual highs and only two new lows, while the Nasdaq index showed 82 new peaks and 88 lows. Current data indicates significant volatility, but also an active recovery of the positions of leading companies.
Trading volumes are high
Trading volumes on US stock exchanges reached 12.64 billion shares, which is higher than the average for the last 20 sessions, which is 11.93 billion. Increased activity may be due to investor nervousness amid statements by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and increased uncertainty about further monetary policy.
Markets in anticipation
The MSCI world stock index started the week on a minor note and showed a decline, while the dollar strengthened amid reduced expectations for a more aggressive easing of the Fed's policy. Powell made it clear that the regulator does not intend to sharply cut rates yet, which increased volatility in the markets and adjusted investor expectations. At the same time, oil futures ended trading sideways due to uncertainty around the conflict in the Middle East.
Powell's comments wobbled
Markets were mixed after Powell said the Fed would not force a rate cut. Investors who had expected a deeper cut are reconsidering their positions as the Fed chief raised the prospect of two 25 basis point rate cuts by the end of the year, provided the economy continues to grow within current forecasts.
Strong inflation data supports gains
Wall Street's major indexes rose strongly last week after U.S. core inflation data came in below expectations, raising the prospects for further monetary easing. However, as of Monday, the probability of a 50 basis point rate cut in November had fallen to 36.7% from 53.3% on Friday, according to CME Group.
Investors continue to assess the likelihood of further rate cuts as the U.S. economy shows mixed signals. The focus remains on employment, inflation and GDP growth data, which could either strengthen Powell's position or lead to a revision of current forecasts. The market remains in a state of heightened uncertainty, which is reflected in trading volumes and volatility.
Rates are high, and so are risks
In the coming weeks, market participants will be closely watching the speeches of Fed officials for the slightest hint of a possible change in course. Market expectations have become more subdued, but any new information could change the situation again.
Stocks have returned to previous levels
Despite an initial decline at the time of Jerome Powell's speech, the S&P 500 and Dow indices ended the session at record highs, recouping losses in the final hours of trading. The gains came on the final day of the quarter, when investors traditionally adjust portfolios, adding additional volatility to the market.
"The strong close can be partly attributed to the impact of so-called 'quarterly rebalancing', a typical practice of recalibrating portfolios at the last minute to improve performance," said Rick Meckler, partner at Cherry Lane Investments.
Strong growth for the month and quarter
The S&P 500 index rose 2.01% in September, demonstrating an impressive fifth consecutive month of positive dynamics. And for the quarter, it strengthened by 5.53%, which underscores the market's resilience amid uncertainty over the Fed's further actions.
The MSCI Global Index also ended the day in the red, falling 0.21% to 851.02. However, for the month, the index gained about 2%, and for the third quarter, it showed a strong growth of 6%, which indicates a restoration of optimism among global investors.
Risk Factors Remain in Play
Per Stirling Capital's Tim Phipps warns that investors continue to keep a close eye on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, the aftermath of Hurricane Helen and the threat of a major US dock strike. Added to this is the uncertainty surrounding the Chinese economy, which is struggling to maintain growth momentum with new stimulus measures.
China Adds Positive to Asian Markets
China's stock market has responded with a strong rally as Beijing unveils stimulus packages. The CSI300 index of China's leading companies posted its biggest daily gain since 2008, jumping 8.5%. This follows a rally over the past five trading days, during which the index has gained more than 25%.
Investor Strategies and Expectations
Investors remain in a holding pattern as further moves by both the Fed and major economies such as China could have a significant impact on global markets. Current events highlight the importance of balancing domestic and external risks, including macroeconomic indicators and geopolitical factors.
Against this backdrop, experts recommend caution and focus on portfolio diversification, as instability could prove to be a long-term trend.
Fed chief's hawkish stance worries the market
The US currency strengthened after Jerome Powell signaled that the Fed may not cut rates significantly in November. The statement caught the market by surprise and forced investors to reassess their expectations.
"It looks like Powell has taken his share of hawkish pills," said Steve Englander, head of global G10 FX research and macro strategy at Standard Chartered Bank, with irony. In his opinion, traders are now starting to worry that the regulator is really set for two small rate cuts of 25 basis points this year.
The dollar is steadily growing against major currencies
The dollar index, reflecting its dynamics against key currencies such as the euro and the yen, rose by 0.32%, reaching 100.76. As a result, the euro weakened to $1.1133, which is 0.27% lower than the day before, and the dollar against the yen rose by 1% to 143.61.
The debt market reacts to the Fed's rhetoric
The yield on US Treasury bonds also changed following the updated expectations of investors. The benchmark 10-year bond rose by 3.6 basis points, reaching 3.785%. This is higher than the value of Friday, when the yield was 3.749%.
Two-year bonds, which are usually more sensitive to interest rate changes, showed an even sharper move. Their yields rose 7.4 basis points to 3.637%, up from 3.563% late Friday.
Yield curve signals shift in sentiment
The gap between the two-year and 10-year Treasury yields, often used as a proxy for economic growth expectations, was 14.6 basis points. That figure is seen as a sign of rising investor confidence in the resilience of the U.S. economy despite continued uncertainty around monetary policy.
What's next?
A stronger dollar and rising bond yields highlight a shift in market sentiment. Market participants will be watching further Fed comments and economic data to see whether the Fed will continue to tighten its rhetoric or decide to pursue more aggressive easing later in the year.
US oil shows its biggest drop in a year
US WTI oil prices fell slightly, ending the day at $68.17 per barrel, losing just 1 cent during the trading session. However, the results of September turned out to be much more dramatic - the cost of raw materials fell by 7% in a month, which was the largest drop since October 2023. By the end of the quarter, the drop reached 16%, which makes it the most significant in the last year.
Brent is also in the red
The global benchmark of Brent crude oil closed the session at $71.77 per barrel, down 21 cents. In September, Brent fell by 9%, showing the strongest monthly drop since November 2022 and continuing the downward trend for the third month in a row. The quarterly results are even less comforting: Brent lost almost 17%, which was the most significant quarterly decline in the last 12 months.
Gold Cools Off After Explosive Rally
After an impressive rally fueled by the Fed's soft rhetoric and geopolitical tensions, gold retreated slightly, taking a pause before the end of the quarter. The spot price of the precious metal fell by 1% to $2,631.39 per ounce. US gold futures also showed a correction, falling by 0.54% to $2,629.90 per ounce.
Gold's Best Quarter Since the Start of 2020
Despite the current weakness, the precious metal is ending the quarter with its best results since the beginning of 2020. Investors view gold as a reliable safe-haven asset amid high uncertainty in financial markets and escalating geopolitical risks, including instability in the Middle East.
Outlook
With oil prices falling and gold stabilizing, the energy and precious metals market remains in a zone of high volatility. Market participants will be watching the actions of major oil producing countries and how the global economy develops, which could determine the future trajectory of commodity assets in the next quarter.
