Weekly Outlook: Fed Vs. Inflation
- U.S. equity markets posted their best weekly gains since November 2020 after the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates for the first time since 2018 and indicated an aggressive stance to combat inflation.
- Bouncing back from its lowest weekly close since June-2021, the S&P 500 rallied 5.8% on the week while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 soared 8.4%, climbing out of "bear market" territory.
- Real estate equities delivered muted gains despite another nine REIT dividend hikes as the Equity REIT Index advanced 2.6% with 18-of-19 property sectors in positive-territory while Mortgage REITs gained 1.6%.
- Indicating some degree of confidence in the Fed's commitment and ability to fight inflation, market-implied inflation expectations retreated on the week despite PPI data showing a double-digit inflation rate in February.
- New home construction rebounded in February to the strongest pace since 2006, but it hasn't been enough to meet demand as Existing Home Sales data showed that housing supply levels remain at historic lows.
