🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readStarting June 1, the Fed began reducing its balance sheet holdings of U.S. Treasuries by $30 billion a month for three months. Thereafter, it will double its reduction of U.S. Treasuries by $60 billion per month beginning in the fourth month. For its mortgage-backed securities, the first three months will see … Continue reading “How Will the Federal Reserve’s Quantitative Tightening Impact Markets?”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readWith the S&P down nearly 20 percent and the Nasdaq index down nearly 4,000 points since the beginning of 2022, one could say the indices are in a bear market. While we can’t predict the future, economic indicators can offer some insight into the likelihood of the market’s future performance. There … Continue reading “Have the Markets Bottomed or is it a Bear Market Rally?”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readThe Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Consumer Price Index rose by 8.5 percent year-over-year ending March 2022, leading most economists to agree that inflation is going to be with us for a while. With inflation seeming not to abate, at least in the near term, how will different types of investments react … Continue reading “How Will the Federal Reserve React to Increasing Inflation?”
🖨 Print⏱ 5 min readAccording to the March 2022 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the forecast is for high energy prices in 2022. The report found that Brent crude oil, used as a benchmark ex-U.S., is expected to see prices of $116 per barrel in Q2 of 2022. West … Continue reading “How Will Oil Prices and Consumer Spending Impact Markets?”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readThere’s much uncertainty surrounding if, how and when the Federal Reserve will raise its rates, end its bond and mortgage-backed security purchases, and wind down its balance sheet. For the March 16 Fed Meeting, the CME FedWatch Tool has a 47.9 percent probability of a 25 to 50 basis point increase, … Continue reading “How Soon and Fast Will the Fed Raise Rates?”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readAccording to the World Bank, there’s a mixed picture for commodities in 2022. Globally, prices for crude oil are expected to hit $74 per barrel during 2022, compared to 2021’s $70 price tag. This is attributed to greater economic activity as the world continues its reopening. Metal commodities, on the other … Continue reading “How are Commodity Prices Expected to Impact Earnings in 2022?”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readAccording to a Dec. 15 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement from the Federal Reserve, the federal funds target range will remain at 0 percent to 0.25 percent. Beginning in January, the FOMC will reduce its monthly purchase of assets to $40 billion in Treasury securities and $20 billion in mortgage-backed … Continue reading “How Will Increased Tapering Impact Markets in 2022?”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readAs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System points out, Jerome Powell was appointed to a four-year term on Feb. 5, 2018. With the Fed Chair’s term expiring in February 2022, there has been much uncertainty as to whether he would be reappointed or replaced. Powell’s first term as … Continue reading “Fed Chair Nomination in 2022: How Will it Impact Markets?”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readEnergy is expected to increase in price as 2021 closes and 2022 begins, according to the Oct. 13, 2021 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Between October 2021 and March 2022, the U.S. benchmark, Henry Hub, is expected to average $5.67 million British thermal units (MMBtu). … Continue reading “Will the Natural Gas Squeeze Derail the Recovery?”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readAccording to the Sept. 8, 2021, release of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, the U.S. economy is facing many headwinds. The report found that restaurants and the travel sector saw a drop in activity. Home and auto sales were low because of fewer available houses on the market and a challenging … Continue reading “Does the Fed’s Beige Book Forecast Negative Market Headwinds?”
