December Commentary
It has been less than a month since the election results, and I am already experiencing news overload. These days, even someone’s random predictions seem to make headline news. While you may assume I’m referring to politics, the financial news media is no better. Headlines like, “So-and-so predicts a crash is coming!” or “The man who forecasted XYZ says Bitcoin will hit a billion!” dominate the cycle, and feed into clickbait culture.
Key Financial Market News Headlines – November 2024:
- The Dow Jones and S&P 500 hit new all-time highs, with both indices on track for their best month of the year.
- Technology stocks experienced volatility, with semiconductor stocks rising on the possibility of eased China export restrictions.
- Bitcoin neared the $100,000 milestone, reaching a record high of approximately $99,800 before pulling back slightly.
- Inflation concerns persisted as the October Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Index showed prices rising 2.3% year-over-year, above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
- The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8% in Q3, slightly slower than Q2’s 3% growth.
- Markets had a mixed reaction to President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats targeting key trade partners.
- The Russell 2000 small-cap index outperformed, surging roughly 10.5% in November on expectations of tax cut benefits.
There is a lot of the noise, and we aim to sift through it for you. While it may feel like major shifts have occurred, not much has changed fundamentally in the past month. What has changed significantly are expectations, which have driven major market moves.
Market Shifts and Expectations The markets seem to anticipate regulatory easing under the incoming administration. Here are some key indicators reflecting this sentiment:
- Cryptocurrency Rally: Cryptocurrencies have surged, partially driven by Trump’s association with NFTs and the broader crypto scene. There’s speculation that digital currencies and assets will receive favorable regulatory treatment.
- Financial Sector Gains: Financial companies, particularly investment banks, have rallied strongly. This is largely due to expectations of a mergers-and-acquisitions boom and potential rollbacks of banking regulations.
- Small- and Mid-Cap Rally: Small- and mid-cap companies have seen significant gains. While this reflects optimism about “America First” policies, much of the rally is in companies speculated to be potential takeover targets.
Tariff Threats and Their Implications President-elect Donald Trump has threatened significant tariffs on imports from key trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, and China. Historically, Trump has used tariff threats as negotiating tools rather than concrete policy actions. Here’s a closer look at the details:
- Canada and Mexico: A proposed 25% tariff on all imports aims to pressure these nations to address illegal immigration and the flow of drugs like fentanyl into the U.S.
- China: A 10% tariff has been suggested, lower than the 60% figure Trump floated during his campaign.
- Timing: Trump has indicated these tariffs would be among his first actions upon taking office.
- Potential Impacts:
- Consumer Goods: Prices could rise on everyday products like avocados, produce, automobiles, and electronics.
- Supply Chains: Integrated North American supply chains, particularly in the automotive sector, could face severe disruptions.
- Economic Consequences: Tariffs could increase inflation, reduce trade volumes, and potentially push Mexico into a recession.
Federal Reserve Reaction Amid this uncertainty, attention has turned to Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve. At the most recent Fed meeting, Powell emphasized that the Fed is in no rush to cut interest rates. He warned investors not to expect rate cuts at every meeting, citing the strong economic environment as a reason to moderate the pace of cuts. While he did not specifically address concerns about tariffs and inflation, the tempered expectations for rate cuts have been a positive development for markets heading into 2025.
Looking Ahead There’s never a dull moment in the markets! We expect the year to close on a high note, bolstered by the traditional “Santa Rally.” That said, surprises are always a possibility. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season! Our next commentary will be in 2025.
Best wishes,
Jordan Kaufman
Chief Investment Officer
Green Ridge Wealth Planning