S&P 500 Climbs as Jobs Spur ‘Heat Check’ for Bonds: Markets Wrap
- Labor market defies slowdown forecasts in broad strengthening
- US consumer sentiment jumps as inflation concerns dissipate
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A pair of solid economic readings shook markets on Friday, with stocks rebounding on speculation the US will be able to skirt a recession. Now the flip side to that story is that bond traders were forced to trim their bets on rate cuts in 2024 — sending yields soaring.
All around Wall Street, the prevailing view is: While economic strength makes many investors less apprehensive about a hard landing, it also implies the Federal Reserve might have to hold rates higher for longer. For Treasuries, that means an unwinding of the massive dovish trade that pointed to a Fed pivot as early as March. For equities, jobs and consumer resilience bodes well when it comes to Corporate America.