Macro Matters – Weekly review, w/c April 8

Markets experienced a volatile week as global stocks slid, driven by surging oil prices and Federal Reserve caution on rate cuts. The US labor market remained resilient with robust job growth, while geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to impact oil prices and market sentiment.

TradeDay Macro Matters

Macroeconomic / Geopolitical Developments

• US and global stocks slide

• Kashkari questions rate cuts

• Oil surges

• US March Employment report comes in strong

US and Global Stocks Slide

Stock markets declined sharply on Thursday, with the S&P 500 recording its steepest single-day drop since February. The Dow Jones experienced its worst performance in over a year, driven by surging oil prices and Federal Reserve comments suggesting a delay in rate cuts. Neel Kashkari’s remarks about the potential for prolonged high rates dampened investor sentiment, alongside heightened geopolitical risks in the Middle East.

Kashkari Questions Rate Cuts

Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari expressed skepticism about rate cuts in 2024, citing concerns over stalled inflation progress. He noted the possibility of maintaining or even raising rates if inflation persists. Despite this, Goldman Sachs anticipates three rate cuts by year-end, underscoring differing market views. The Fed’s recent decision to hold rates steady reflects its cautious approach to evolving economic conditions.

Oil Surges

Oil prices soared amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, with Brent crude surpassing $90 per barrel for the first time since October. Escalating military actions in the Middle East have heightened fears of supply disruptions, contributing to the surge. Traders are closely monitoring developments as geopolitical risks remain a key driver of oil market volatility.

US March Employment Report Comes in Strong

The US labor market demonstrated remarkable strength, adding 303,000 jobs in March, far exceeding expectations. The unemployment rate edged lower to 3.8%, marking 39 consecutive months of job growth. Annual wage gains moderated slightly to 4.1%, aligning with the Fed’s goal of easing inflationary pressures while maintaining economic stability.

What’s Ahead

Central Bank Watch:

• FOMC Minutes (Wednesday)

• ECB Monetary Policy Decision (Thursday)

• RBNZ and BoC Interest Rate Decisions (Wednesday)

Macro Data Watch:

04/08/2024: German Industrial Production; EU Investor Confidence

04/09/2024: Fed’s Kashkari speech; UK Retail Sales; Australia Consumer Confidence

04/10/2024: US CPI; FOMC Minutes; RBNZ and BoC Policy Statements

04/11/2024: China CPI and PPI; ECB Monetary Policy Decision

04/12/2024: UK GDP, Industrial, and Manufacturing Production; German and French CPI

This week’s focus will be on inflation data and central bank meetings, with geopolitical developments continuing to influence global markets.