Hurricane Ian barreled through Florida this week, leaving a wide swath of destruction in its wake. A natural disaster of this magnitude is a negative to markets, and it will still be several days before we see how extensive the fallout will be. It could also take some time to sort out the hurricane’s economic ramifications, including whether they will be short-term and specific to Florida or carry long-term effects for the entire country. Get our thoughts on what the data is saying.

Stocks were bashed around last week, as concerns about a looming recession and economic slowdown combined with fear the Fed will go too far. U.S. equities are now at their mid-June lows. The Fed will use the job market to gauge if it needs to hold off additional hikes. The defining event of the week was the consumer price index (CPI) report. The CPI numbers for August came in above expectations and dimmed hopes the economy had moved beyond “peak inflation.”

The defining event of the week was the consumer price index (CPI) report. The CPI numbers for August came in above expectations and dimmed hopes the economy had moved beyond “peak inflation.”

Last week was up and down as the markets focused on a shred of positive comments from Federal Reserve Vice Chair Lael Brainard on Wednesday. Although she affirmed the Fed’s commitment to lowering inflation, she said at some point the risks between raising rates and damaging the economy would balance out.

Markets started the week with jitters as the 10-year bond rose above 3%, and the specter of a different narrative than what markets were expecting began to emerge. Those jitters seemed to become full-blown disappointment following Chairman Powell’s comments, and markets experienced large drops for the week.

Markets were slowed quite a bit last week following the Federal Reserve’s release of minutes from its last meeting. There wasn’t anything super discouraging in them — but there also wasn’t anything overly encouraging either.

Markets have been on a run lately, fueled by hopes the Fed will pause interest rate increases following data economy is slowing. But are these hopes misguided? We take a look at what’s currently driving markets in our latest Weekly Commentary.

When building portfolios, the traditional model is a split of 60% stocks and 40% bonds. But high inflation and rising interest rates have hit bonds hard and recent volatility has pushed markets down. Should investors add more stocks to their portfolios in anticipation of a market comeback? It depends on your goals.

The U.S. economy contracted by 0.9% in the second quarter – putting us into the traditional definition of a recession. How long will it last? Get our thoughts on what the data is saying.

Stocks rose last week, even as signs of a slowing economy and potential recession increase. Find out more about what happened in the markets and what’s coming in the days ahead in our latest Weekly Market Commentary.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: 7/10/22 – 7/16/22

• And the hits just keep on comin’

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: July 11-17, 2022

• Markets sink following inflation report

• Earnings season starts this week
  

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: July 4 - 10, 2022
• Markets post a strong week on hopes Fed will ease
• Alternative Realities?

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: June 26 - July 2, 2022
• One step forward, two steps back for markets
• In other news …

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: June 19 - 25, 2022
• Finally! A positive week for markets
• The Snap, the Crackle and the Pop
• Leavin’ on a jet plane (Americans were trying to, at least)

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: June 12 - 18, 2022
• The Fed disappoints – again
• The economy has become a two-man lift

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: June 5 - 11, 2022
• Inflation gets worse
• Housing stumbles

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: May 29 - June 4, 2022
• Strong jobs report leaves Fed with no reason to pause its plans
>>>When strong jobs growth is bad for markets <<<
• From storm clouds to a hurricane and a “super bad” feeling

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: May 22 - 28, 2022
• Markets end their 8-week losing streak
>>> Is the losing over for markets? <<<
• What the 10-year Treasury note is telling us about the Fed