U.S. Economy

No Relief for Bruised Markets as Fed Signals Higher Rates for Longer

A Federal Reserve dead-set on fighting inflation is leaving little hope that this year’s rocky markets will end anytime soon, as policymakers signal rates rises faster and higher than many investors were expecting.

A Federal Reserve dead-set on fighting inflation is leaving little hope that this year’s rocky markets will end anytime soon, as policymakers signal rates rises faster and higher than many investors were expecting.

The Fed lifted rates by an expected 75 basis points and signalled that its policy rate would rise by 4.4% by year end and top out at 4.6% by the end of 2023, a steeper and longer trajectory than markets had priced in.

Investors said the aggressive path suggests more volatility in stocks and bonds in a year that has already seen bear markets in both asset classes, as well as risks that tighter monetary policy will plunge the U.S. economy into a recession.

Stocks plunged following the Fed’s meeting, with the S&P 500 falling 1.7%. Bond yields, which move inversely to prices, shot higher with the two-year yield surging above 4% to its highest since 2007 and 10-year yields hitting 3.640%, the highest since February 2011. That left the yield curve even more inverted, a signal of looming recession.

Investing Ideas

Tesla Operating Data Wasn’t Jaw-Crusher But Won't Stop Momentum

Tesla (TSLA) reported record deliveries for Q3 2022, which however came in below consensus estimate.

International

Indian Stocks’ Decoupling Looks Unsustainable As Analysts Warn Of 30% Crash

Optimism among market participants over the apparent decoupling of Indian equity and bond markets from the global turmoil is not likely to sustain and has made the domestic market vulnerable to a crash, said analysts.

International

British Pound Plummets to Record Low against the U.S. Dollar

The British pound crashed to a record low against the US dollar on Monday on growing fears about the stability of UK government finances.