Russ Cohen

Inflation Impacts Markets Ahead Of Fed Meeting Market Turmoil: Inflation Shakes Stocks Before Fed Meeting

In a week marked by inflation reports just before the Federal Reserve meeting, investors received unsettling news. Prices surged in February, signaling a headache for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who has been advocating for confidence in disinflation before considering interest rate modifications.

After Thursday’s producer inflation data confirmed concerns raised by the consumer inflation report, stock markets turned bearish.

The market sentiment shifted as rate cut expectations were toned down, leading to losses in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, while commodities like gold clocked near all-time highs and oil prices surged past $80 per barrel.

With inflation regaining prominence, Fed Chair Powell faces mounting pressure regarding interest rate adjustments, as expert opinions on rate directions diverge, creating an aura of policy uncertainty.

Investors who are withdrawing from AI tech stocks such as NVIDIA Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc., and Microsoft Corp. may be acting prematurely, according to advice from Light Street Capital’s Glen Kacher, who posits that we are still in the early stages of the AI investment cycle, making current valuations reasonable.

Goldman Sachs has expressed optimism towards the cruise sector, showing favoritism towards Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Carnival Corp., citing industry shifts and expected pricing benefits.

The timing of a congressman’s sale of Boeing Co. stock just before a Department of Justice investigation announcement has raised suspicions of insider trading, prompting calls for a deeper probe into potential use of non-public information in the decision.

The approval of a bill by the U.S. House targeting TikTok has triggered anxiety among influencers, who are concerned about the app’s Chinese ownership and data security implications, given its vast American user base of 150 million.

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Elon Musk has voiced concerns about the proposed TikTok bill, criticizing its breadth and potential for future misuse, signaling the ongoing debate surrounding the app’s future in the U.S. amid speculation of sales or bans.

Speculation of the DEA rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III fueled a significant rally in cannabis stocks on Friday, with industry players anticipating growth opportunities and taking strategic positions.

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