The strategist emphasizes that whether the economy avoids recession holds greater importance than the number of rate cuts. Recent market fluctuations, characterized by sharp declines followed by rapid rebounds, prompt analysis into the underlying drivers of the ongoing bull market, which has propelled the S&P 500 and Dow industrials to multiple record highs in 2024. The situation unfolded when Tuesday’s release of the January consumer-price index surpassed expectations, causing a reevaluation of forecasts for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, possibly up to six quarter-point reductions starting as early as March or May. However, over the subsequent two days, stocks largely recovered from their losses, with the S&P 500 closing Thursday at its 11th record high of the year. According to Tim Hayes, chief global investment strategist at Ned Davis Research, the delay in rate cuts doesn’t signal disaster as initially feared. He distinguishes between doubts about the timing of positive events, such as rate cuts, and concerns about negative developments like resurgent inflation or economic contraction. While Tuesday saw significant market declines, with the Dow dropping over 500 points and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also experiencing losses, the following two days witnessed rebounds. Thursday’s gains were partly attributed to a weaker-than-anticipated January retail sales report, which alleviated concerns about a potential resurgence of inflation driven by a surging economy. However, Friday brought another inflationary jolt with a hotter-than-expected reading from the January producer-price index, resulting in slight market retreats for the week. Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at the Independent Investor Alliance, emphasizes that the investment outlook hinges on maintaining economic expansion without slipping into recession, rather than the exact number of Fed rate cuts. The recent volatility in response to economic data underscores the cautious market sentiment, with uncertainty prevailing until further data releases establish a clearer trend. Mark Arbeter, president of Arbeter Investments, expresses frustration at the market’s tendency for short-lived declines followed by swift recoveries, signaling a persistent upward trend. While technical indicators suggest a potential downside correction, major indexes remain in uptrends, with specific support levels providing guidance for potential future movements.

Futures indicate the S&P 500 could hit another record high by Friday’s close, driven by the tech sector’s potential for a third straight day of gains and anticipation of fresh economic data. Here’s a snapshot of current stock-index futures: On Thursday, the S&P 500 surpassed its previous record close, reaching 5,029.73. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose to 38,773.12, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed to 15,906.17. Market drivers: Thursday’s record-setting performance by the S&P 500 coincided with mixed manufacturing data and a notable drop in January retail sales, easing concerns about potential Federal Reserve interest rate adjustments following recent inflation reports. According to Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank, the significance of economic data is waning as investors maintain a positive outlook, seemingly unaffected by the numbers. She attributes this optimism to the promise of rate cuts. Investors are gearing up for a busy day of data releases, including January housing starts and the producer price index, both expected at 8:30 a.m. Additionally, the University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment survey for February is due at 10 a.m. Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision, Michael Barr, is scheduled to speak at 9:10 a.m., followed by San Francisco President Mary Daly at 12:10 p.m. Technology stocks are leading the way on Friday, with the Nasdaq poised for a third consecutive day of gains, despite being down 0.5% for the week as of Thursday’s close. Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) surged 13% in premarket trading following upbeat results and guidance. Tesla Inc. (TSLA) rose 2% in premarket trade, while Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) saw a 1.5% increase. Nvidia is expected to report fourth-quarter results next week.