Stocks fluctuated last week, jostled by fitful bond yields and headline news, before ending strongly following Fed Chair Powell’s comments on the monetary outlook.
Positive inflation reports failed to lift stocks from their August doldrums last week as economic data and a ratings downgrade soured investor sentiment.
A Friday surge pushed stocks solidly into positive territory last week, ignited by cooling in an inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve.
The Fed's challenge since they began raising rates in March 2022 has been to strike a balance between beating inflation and preventing a recession, i.e., achieving a so-called "soft landing."
Stocks moved to the rhythm of earnings season last week, initially rising on positive earnings surprises and faltering later in the week on key earnings disappointments.
Big question: how’s the economy doing so far in 2023? With the year more than half over and markets on a spree, it's an important question to consider.
Better-than-expected updates last week on consumer and wholesale price inflation buoyed investor sentiment, driving stocks higher and lowering bond yields.
Week In Perspective: Stocks Open in Positive Territory [Sep. 05-23]