Fed Holds But Signals Hawkish Path Ahead, Treasury Yields Rise: The Week In The Markets

The Federal Open Market Committee meeting dominated the markets this week, with the Fed deciding to leave rates unchanged at 5.25%-5.5%, as widely expected.

Dot Plot Indicates 1 More Rate Hike, Fewer Cuts in 2024: The median preference for the projected fed funds rate at the end of 2023 held steady after Wednesday's Fed decision, aligning with the previous June forecast at 5.6%. This suggests the Fed is leaning toward one additional rate increase in either one of the two remaining meetings this year. FOMC members have scaled back their projected rate cuts for next year, now indicating a total of 50 basis points of cuts for 2024, a more hawkish shift from the previous June projection of a full percentage point reduction.

Powell Delivers Balanced Remarks: During his press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell cautiously balanced his tone. He warned the path to the 2% inflation target has a long way to go, possibly keeping interest rates elevated for longer. At the same time, Powell indicated the Fed’s readiness to proceed carefully based on forthcoming economic data without a firm commitment to additional rate hikes.

Treasury Yields Hit 17-Year Highs: Yields for two-year Treasury notes reached 5.2% on Thursday, marking their highest point since July 2006. Simultaneously, the 10-year yield surpassed 4.4%, reaching levels last seen in November 2007.

Chart of The Week: Short-Term Treasury Yields Surge To July 2006 Levels As Fed Sticks To Higher-For-Longer Stance

Cisco Set To Acquire Splunk: Cisco Systems Inc. CSCO announced an agreement to acquire cybersecurity company Splunk Inc. SPLK in a deal valued at approximately $28 billion, or $157 per share. The purchase price implies a premium of 31.3% on Splunk’s Sept. 20 closing price of $119.59. Splunk’s stock surged 21% on the news.

Jamie Dimon Visits Detroit: JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPM CEO Jamie Dimon paid a visit to Detroit, where he delivered a speech to the Detroit Economic Club at the MotorCity Casino and Hotel. His appearance marked the 10-year anniversary of JPMorgan’s $200-million investment in the city aimed at catalyzing business growth in Detroit. Dimon expressed concerns about the potential resurgence of inflationary pressures due to ongoing elevated government spending. 

Stock Market Highlights: The stock market witnessed a volatile week as the FOMC meeting weighs on investor risk sentiment. 

Both the S&P 500 Index and the Nasdaq 100 recorded their worst trading week since early March 2023. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), also known as the fear gauge, rose over 20%, marking its best week since the end of July.

Interest rate-sensitive sectors like the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund XLY and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund XLRE underperformed, while defensive angles like the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund XLV fared better. 

Among large cap companies, the best performer was Splunk, followed by Humana Inc. HUM and CBOE Global Markets Inc. CBOE. The laggards were Samsara Inc. IOT, Block Inc. SQ and Celsius Holdings Inc. CELH. 

FedEx Corp. FDX made headlines after the company reported mixed quarterly results and raised its earnings guidance. 

UAW Expands Strike: On Friday, the United Auto Workers revealed its plan to widen the scope of strikes to 38 facilities in 20 states, primarily targeting parts and distribution sites at General Motors GM and Stellantis N.V. STLA. Conversely, Ford Motor Co. F won't be affected by the additional strikes as its negotiations with the UAW move forward. 

What To Watch In The Week Ahead: The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditure index, is due Friday, with economists predicting a rise in the annual headline PCE from 3.3% in July to 3.5% in August. Core PCE is expected to dip slightly from 4.2% to 3.9%.

Several Fed members will also make public appearances, including Federal Reserve Chair Powell hosting a town hall with educators Thursday. On the same day, the final second-quarter GDP reading will also be released.

Next week’s earnings reports include Costco Wholesale Corp. COST and Cintas Corp. CTAS on Tuesday; Micron Technology, Inc. MU and Paychex, Inc. PAYX on Wednesday; Nike Inc. NKE, Jabil Inc. JBL and Carmax Inc. KMX on Thursday and Carnival Corp. CLL on Friday. 

Read now: ‘Stocks In Monopolistic Bull Market’: Wall Street Analyst Contemplates A Bright Future For Next Phase

Photo via Shutterstock.