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May 2021
New Highs
March 2021
Does the Fed Have Our Back?
New Highs
The first quarter earnings reports continued to provide upside surprises as the economy expands and the COVID-19-based restrictions are eased. The average earnings surprise for the S&P 500 has been near 20% for the last four quarters, and the average upside surprise to sales for all S&P 500 companies in the first quarter was 4%, the highest upside sales surprise of the recovery. Every sector of the index delivered positive sales and earnings surprises. These strong results have allowed the index to gain almost 6% so far in the second quarter, equaling the 6% gain in the first quarter.
DOWNLOADDoesx the Fed Have Our Back?
The Fed has a dual mandate: pursue full employment while keeping inflation low. As the years have passed, they seem to have added even more to their plate. They have shown concern for instability in both domestic and overseas markets, a weakening or strengthening dollar, the fiscal deficit and debt, climate change, and income inequality. Some say they have one arrow and multiple targets. Actually, they have created more arrows for themselves by becoming a key purchaser of both Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities. Once again, the markets are leaning on the Fed for continued support and fearing when that support might begin to be curtailed.
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