Rising interest rates pressured stock and bond prices in April. U.S. markets were down in the low-single digits, marking the first monthly decline for U.S. stocks this year. The combination of faster hiring and still-hot inflation complicated the Fed’s efforts to cut interest rates.
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Economic Release Snapshot: GDP Growth Slows in the First Quarter
Each week, we break down the latest U.S. economic reports, including what the results mean for the overall health of the economy. Here, you will find how economists’ forecasts compare with actual results, key takeaways to consider, as well as a list of what’s on tap for the week ahead.
Global Inflation Outlook: Where Do We Go from Here?
Almost two years ago exactly, I wrote the piece “Global Inflation Outlook: Are Lower Numbers on the Horizon?” Global inflation peaked at 14.3 percent that same month (April 2022). Initially, inflation sharply came off this top, hitting a low of 2.1 percent in May 2023. But more recently, we saw prints above 5 percent globally on a headline basis before returning to the 3 percent range by year-end.
Monthly Market Risk Update: April 2024 [SlideShare]
Equity markets continued to rally in March, as all three major U.S. indices were up for the month. The S&P 500 gained 3.22 percent in March, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2.21 percent. The Nasdaq Composite lagged slightly, as the technology-heavy index gained 1.85 percent. Improving fundamentals and a supportive economic backdrop helped support equities during the month.
Economic Release Snapshot: Retail Sales Surge in March
Each week, we break down the latest U.S. economic reports, including what the results mean for the overall health of the economy. Here, you will find how economists’ forecasts compare with actual results, key takeaways to consider, as well as a list of what’s on tap for the week ahead.
Economic Risk Factor Update: April 2024 [SlideShare]
March’s reports showed signs of continued economic growth. Hiring accelerated, with a strong 303,000 jobs added during the month. That said, service sector and consumer confidence both fell modestly in March, while the yield curve inversion widened.