Is The Fed Set To Leave Rates Unchanged?

Hello MarketClub members everywhere. It's expected that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady at its meeting this week as it takes pause to analyze more economic data, but may hint it is on track for a June increase.

The Fed will release its policy decision at 2 p.m. EDT on Wednesday after its two-day meeting. Fed Chair Janet Yellen is not due to hold a press conference at this time.

Most economists feel that the Fed is more confident in its forecast of two more rate increases this year.

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Meanwhile, traders seem reluctant to commit to any direction ahead of the Fed's policy review and Friday's jobs report in light of weaker-than-expected economic growth in the first quarter. The French election on Sunday is adding to concern, while the deal to avert a U.S. government shutdown fueled uncertainty about the timing for any Trump policy priorities.

Key levels to watch this week: Continue reading "Is The Fed Set To Leave Rates Unchanged?"

U.S. Economic Growth Slows To .7% In First Quarter

Hello MarketClub members everywhere. The U.S. stock market is slightly lower this afternoon after data showed that the U.S. economy grew at its weakest pace in three years for the first quarter of 2017. The GDP increased at a 0.7% annual rate, below the 1.2% rise estimated by economists, as consumer spending barely increased and businesses invested less on inventories.

This drop comes on the heels of the 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2016.

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Image courtesy of Bloomberg

Key levels to watch this week: Continue reading "U.S. Economic Growth Slows To .7% In First Quarter"

Has The Trump Trade Resumed?

Hello MarketClub members everywhere. The NASDAQ has crossed the 6,000 level for the first time, and the DOW has had two straight triple-digit gains leading me to wonder if the Trump trade is back on. What do you think?

Of course, I would be remiss to overlook the slew of positive corporate earnings that have been this released this week with more to come. Home prices and home sales on are the rise as well, according to new data from the S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index.

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However, I believe everyone is zeroed in on Washington, as President Trump is expected to release an outline to potential tax reform later this week. Tax reform expectations have been one of the key market drivers since the presidential election.

Key levels to watch this week: Continue reading "Has The Trump Trade Resumed?"

Oil Falls As Oversupply Concerns Resurface

Hello MarketClub members everywhere. Oil prices fell on Friday as oversupply concerns resurfaced and the euro and stocks dipped ahead of the first round in a too-close-to-call French presidential election.

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After a two-week losing streak, the major indexes are on track to post weekly gains fueled by Thursday's rally, which was largely driven by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's comments that the Trump administration would unveil a tax reform plan very soon.

A steady stream of strong earnings through the week continued to bolster market sentiment.

Key levels to watch this week: Continue reading "Oil Falls As Oversupply Concerns Resurface"