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August brought a surprising twist to an otherwise promising summer for the stock market. It all started with a jolt at the beginning of the month when FITCH downgraded the US government debt. Their rationale? A ballooning fiscal deficit and a disheartening erosion of governance. It’s hard to argue against their assessment.
This downgrade sent shockwaves through the financial landscape, causing interest rates to soar to levels not seen since the Federal Reserve began its rate-hiking campaign back in 2022. In fact, the 10-year Treasury yield surged past 4.25%. Yes, the Federal Reserve’s intention is to tap the brakes on the economy, but history has shown us that when they do, things can get rather messy. The two previous instances when rates hit such highs were followed by bouts of volatility. Surprisingly, this time has been different – so far.
True, we’ve witnessed a few corporate bankruptcies and significant troubles in China. However, there hasn’t been a major credit crisis in the US that would trigger a volatility spike.
The Bright Side
In an intriguing twist, despite the relentless rise in interest rates, there’s still a robust appetite for growth stocks, particularly the giants of the tech world. These are the stocks benefiting from the AI frenzy, and they’re equipped to weather the storm of higher interest rates, thanks to their vast reservoirs of cash flow and cash reserves.
The Silver Lining
Following the Federal Reserve’s symposium at Jackson Hole, rates have been on a decline. There was much speculation leading up to this event that the Fed might adopt a hawkish stance. They didn’t disappoint, presenting a decidedly hawkish tone. However, what followed was a classic “buy the rumor, sell the fact” scenario, with interest rates peaking just before Chairman Powell’s speech. This led to an end-of-month rally for equities in August, spearheaded by mega-cap tech stocks.
Signs of Turbulence
Meanwhile, regional banks are once again showing signs of vulnerability. In an environment marked by high inflation and interest rates, these banks are grappling with significant unrealized losses in treasuries – reminiscent of the March crisis. The Fed has stepped in, offering a lifeline of monumental liquidity to the tune of $100 billion. But the new crisis they face is the surge in delinquencies on commercial real estate. A trifecta of factors – remote work trends, rising rents, and higher interest rates – is contributing to this worrisome trend. Keep a close eye on this development.
A Contrarian Perspective
Amid all the talk of a soft landing, there’s an underlying unease. Recall that in 2000 and 2008, the consensus was also in favor of a soft landing, and we know how those stories ended. As a contrarian, I find this consensus rather disconcerting.
That said, there’s always something to fret about in the world of finance. Yet, more often than not, the market defies our worries and continues its ascent. We’ll remain vigilant and prepared for the worst while continuing to expect the best. After all, in the ever-evolving financial landscape, adaptability is key, and opportunities often emerge in unexpected places.
