February Jobs Report to Determine Fed Action

FRDP Special February Jobs Report to Determine Fed Action News to pay attention to will hit the wires on Friday morning when the February jobs report is released. Here’s what you need to know: This month’s release will determine whether the Fed raises interest rates .25% or .50% at the March meeting. Next week’s Consumer Price Index, or CPI, report will give further clarity to Fed action. What to look for and how to trade the markets: We’re watching two components of the jobs report; job additions total and wage growth (or wage inflation). If we see total job additions at or under 500k and wage inflation at or under 5.3%, this furthers our belief that the Fed will stick to a .25% increase. We see that as providing the backdrop to a rally, primarily in the NASDAQ in the latter half of March. Job additions greater than 500k, OR, wage inflation higher than 5.3% will fuel fears of the .50% increase, which will add to market volatility and could lead to another round of selling pressure across the major indexes. Yield Curve Update The 10-2s spread, or Yield Curve, violated the 40 basis point line it had held for several days, reaching a new two-year low of 36 basis points. This gets us uncomfortably close to inversion. The 10-year yield has been rising throughout the last several months, but the 2-year yield has been rising faster, creating a short-term negative economic outlook. The yield curve is only important in your trading (unless you trade treasuries) as a guide to potential recessionary impact. We’re not there yet, and we’re not calling it. We are, however, watchful. Short-Term Stock Market Outlook: Hold Given the crisis in Ukraine, the impending Fed meeting and likelihood of three interest rate increases by June, we see a sideways market developing in the second quarter (and we hope we’re wrong!). S&P 500 High (1 Year): 4,793 S&P 500 Low (1 Year): 3,768 The downward slope to the S&P 500 chart is of concern – however, the market has found a strong floor around 4,350 on the S&P 500. Q1 Earnings season is several weeks away, but a stronger than expected start to 2022 earnings would give more support to stocks moving higher in the short-term. As it is, we have too many negatives weighing the markets down. The Fed raising a quarter point at the March meeting would be a dovish surprise that could lift the S&P back to 4,600. More news tomorrow and next week as we get more economic clarity. Trade Smarter! Your Traders Reserve Team --------------------------------------------------------------- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine showing no signs of cooling off. At the moment, the crisis is leading to big opportunities. [Here's Three Safe Investing Opportunities as Oil Gushes to $106]( --------------------------------------------------------------- If you ever have a question, or comment, reach us at any time. mailto:support@tradersreserve.com 267 Kentlands Blvd #225 Gaithersburg, MD 20878 USA (866) 257-3008 | M-F 9AM - 5PM [support@tradersreserve.com]( If you no longer wish to receive emails please [unsubscribe here.]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. [Update Email]( [Privacy Policy]( © Traders Reserve, LLC 2019. All rights reserved.