S&P 500 – Indexed Performance Until the summer, the S&P 500 achieved one of its best starts in history, closely following the trajectory of 1995. During that year, the Fed cut interest rates, marking the last soft landing in the U.S. economy. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
U.S. Inflation – Core PCE and Core CPI Inflation is trending downward towards the Fed’s 2% target, a crucial aspect of its monetary policy aimed at maintaining price stability and anchoring inflation expectations at a moderate level. Image: BofA Global Research
Inflation – U.S. CPI Forecasts With inflation high, the Fed’s interest rate cut decisions require a delicate balance between price stability, economic expansion and employment support. Image: BofA Global Investment Strategy
U.S. Government Total Outlays U.S. federal government spending has risen sharply since the 2020s, sparking debates about fiscal responsibility and the long-term implications for the U.S. economy. Image: BofA Global Investment Strategy
Inflation – Potential Paths for U.S. Core CPI If the Fed cuts rates in June, U.S. core CPI is expected to exceed the Fed’s 2% inflation target, which could pose challenges for the central bank in maintaining price stability. Image: BofA Global Investment Strategy
Consecutive Trading Days of Inverted 10Y-2Y U.S. Treasury Yield Curve The anticipation of Fed easing is being driven by the aging of yield curve inversion. Market participants are expecting the Fed to cut rates in order to stimulate economic growth and prevent a potential recession. Image: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
S&P 500 Composite in Elections Years and Election Years When >10% Gains in Previous Year Given the Fed’s interest rate projections, market sentiment indicators and historical market behavior, investors may reasonably expect the S&P 500 index to reach new highs soon. Image: Fundstrat Global Advisors, LLC
Flexible and Sticky Inflation Flexible inflation (core goods) has fallen significantly and sticky inflation (core services) is still declining, which is good news as it suggests a moderation in the inflation rate. Image: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Trajectory of the S&P 500 Across Tightening Cycles Should U.S. equity investors remain cautious as long as the Fed continues to raise interest rates? Image: Deutsche Bank
U.S. GDP, Inflation and Unemployment – FOMC Economic Projections The Fed is forecasting an unemployment rate of 4.6% in 2023. Image: The Daily Shot
Wage Growth – Potential Trajectory of U.S. Average Hourly Earnings Will wage growth slow enough in 2023 to satisfy the Fed? Image: BofA Global Investment Strategy