“I don’t see the stag or the flation.” ~ Fed Chair Jerome Powell, May 1, 2024
The initial reading for first quarter 2024 GDP came in at 1.6 percent growth, lower than expected and much lower than fourth quarter 2023. Inflation readings have come in above expectations, leading a few pundits lately to claim that we are heading for “stagflation.” Are we?
Inflation is back in the news: The latest reading of the consumer price index (CPI) came in at 3.5 percent. Does this mean all is lost in the Fed’s fight and it is time to sell everything? No, of course not. Nevertheless, Stocks have sold off on this data and of course the pundits are predicting doom as per usual.
Have you ever been on a diet? They all go great to start; next thing you know, you have only 10 more pounds to lose…and then it all slows down. So it goes with the Fed’s fight against inflation. CPI and PPI both came in this week slightly higher than last month. Does this mean the battle is lost? Unlike last month’s inflation surprise, the market has thus far shrugged it off.
The market dropped dramatically on Tuesday because of the “HOT” inflation report – CPI indicated that inflation is running at an annual rate of 3.1 percent. The market pundits remain fixated on the Fed and interest rates, worrying that a slower drop in inflation means rates stay put for longer. In our opinion, this worry is misplaced.
We have written all year about the frustration of false narratives and a misleading S&P 500, yet it has ended on a much brighter note: Patience has paid off, and finally the onslaught of solid economic data paired with slowing inflation has made the bears change their tune. What will 2024 bring us?
