Marketmind: Known unknowns and unknown unknowns
A look at the day ahead from Julien Ponthus.
Five market trends investors are eyeing halfway through 2021
Investors have enjoyed a rewarding ride in the first half of 2021, as unprecedented economic stimulus, stellar earnings growth and a reopening U.S. economy powered the S&P 500 to record highs and a 14% year-to-date gain, putting the index on track for a first-half performance rivaled only once in over two decades.
What inflation? Pandemic leaves emerging Asia’s consumer recovery behind
Asia’s once fast-growing economies are struggling with weak domestic demand that is keeping a lid on inflation in contrast to some developed markets, heightening the chance many central banks will forgo interest rate hikes this year.
European shares fall on inflation, pandemic woes
European shares fell on Wednesday as worries about rising inflation and the Delta variant of the novel coronavirus hit economically sensitive sectors, even as technology stocks tracked an overnight surge in their U.S. peers.
Asian shares rise after consumer confidence boosts Nasdaq to record high
Asian shares rose and a gauge of global equities hovered near record highs on Wednesday after rising consumer confidence in economic recovery boosted the Nasdaq index to its highest-ever closing level.
Fed’s Waller: 2022 rate hike possible, wants MBS taper first
A “very optimistic” Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller on Tuesday said the U.S. central bank may need to start dialing down its massive asset purchase program as soon as this year to allow the option of raising interest rates by late next year.
U.S. consumer confidence at 16-month high; house price inflation heating up
U.S. consumer confidence jumped to its highest level in nearly 1-1/2 years in June as growing labor market optimism amid a reopening economy offset concerns about higher inflation.
Global shares edge lower on new COVID-19 outbreaks in Asia
Global shares edged lower on Tuesday, as new coronavirus outbreaks in Asia vied with strong U.S. consumer confidence, and as investors speculated about whether the Federal Reserve would accelerate its timetable to end easy monetary policy.
Growth stock comeback fuels Cathie Wood’s ARK funds
A more than 10% surge in growth stocks since the start of the quarter is fueling a comeback in star stock picker Cathie Wood’s ARK funds, which posted some of the worst declines among all U.S. equity funds over the first three months of the year.
Dollar bides time below two-month highs before payrolls test
The dollar hovered below a two-month high versus major counterparts on Tuesday, with traders largely sidelined ahead of a closely watched U.S. jobs report, which could sway the timing of an exit from Federal Reserve stimulus.
