Market Week: December 16, 2024

Stocks pulled back last week as tech shares pared gains from the prior week. The NASDAQ posted a minimal gain, while the S&P 500 retreated from recent record highs. Nine of the 11 market sectors declined last week, with only consumer discretionary and communication services advancing. Investors will be paying close attention to the Federal Open Market Committee, which meets December 17-18, at which time the Committee will have to decide if the recent uptick in price inflation is sufficient to defer another interest rate cut. While the November Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index came in as expected (see below), data from both sources showed inflationary pressures moved further away from the Fed’s 2.0% target. This trend, coupled with a solid labor market, opens the possibility that the Committee may decide to wait until the January 2025 meeting before considering a further interest rate reduction. Nevertheless, the consensus remains that the Fed will reduce the federal funds rate by 25.0 basis points when it meets this week. Crude oil prices rose to their highest levels in three weeks, buoyed by expectations of an increase in demand following China’s economic stimulus and potential supply disruptions resulting from U.S. sanctions on Iran and Russia.