US stocks closed with little change on Thursday, grappling with the impact of higher-than-expected inflation and strong labor market indicators. These factors dampened the anticipation of early interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year, yet a decline in Treasury yields moderated the stock market’s losses. At the close of the session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a slight increase, while the S&P 500 experienced a minor loss. The Nasdaq Composite remained almost unchanged. This mixed performance across indices reflects the market’s uncertainty.
Inflation and Unemployment Data Weigh In
The US Labor Department’s report indicated a rise in consumer prices in December, primarily due to increased costs in shelter and healthcare. Furthermore, the number of new unemployment claims unexpectedly dropped to 202,000, signaling strength in the labor market. Scott Ladner from Horizon Investments noted that the market is acknowledging these trends but remains skeptical about their long-term inflationary impact.
Fed Officials Cautious on Rate Cuts
Federal Reserve officials, including Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester and Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin, expressed the need for more evidence before considering rate reductions. Their comments suggest a cautious approach towards reaching the central bank’s 2% inflation target.
Microsoft and Apple Vie for Valuation Supremacy
In the tech sector, Microsoft briefly surpassed Apple as the world’s most valuable company. Apple’s shares have fallen nearly 4% since the beginning of the year, while Microsoft’s shares have seen a modest increase.
Meanwhile, energy and technology sectors showed slight gains, while most other sectors declined. Crypto stocks, following the approval of the first U.S.-listed ETF tracking spot bitcoin, saw a reversal from early gains to significant declines. Major banks like Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo are poised for their earnings reports, with Citigroup expecting a hit to its fourth-quarter earnings due to charges and reserves.
Disclaimer: ProsperUs Head of Content & Investment Lead Billy Toh doesn’t own shares of any companies mentioned.
