Stocks surged on Thursday, fueled by strong retail spending and a resilient labor market, offering reassurance that the U.S. economy remains on solid ground. DEYTHERE Media News reports that the S&P 500 extended its rally, climbing 1.6% for the day and reaching a 6.6% gain over the past six days—its best performance since November 2022.
This optimistic market movement reflects renewed confidence among investors that the Federal Reserve can manage inflation without pushing the economy into a recession.
According to stock market news, the latest data showing retail sales exceeded expectations played a crucial role in bolstering market confidence.
The solid sales figures helped calm fears of an imminent economic downturn. Walmart Inc., often seen as a bellwether for the economy, saw its shares rise sharply on a strong earnings outlook, further lifting investor sentiment.
Bret Kenwell of eToro captured the mood by stating, “We’re back to an environment where good news is good news and bad news is bad news. Investors and consumers want inflation to go lower—but not at the expense of the economy.” This sentiment was echoed across the market as traders adjusted their expectations, reducing bets on aggressive interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
Labor Market Resilience Reassures Investors
Adding to the optimism, jobless claims dropped to their lowest levels since early July, signaling a robust labor market. This drop in unemployment claims helped alleviate concerns that the Federal Reserve might have waited too long to adjust its monetary policy. The positive labor market data is likely to buy the Fed some time until its next meeting in September.
Aditya Bhave of Bank of America Corp. weighed in, saying, “The July retail sales data were consistent with our soft-landing economic outlook. We remain comfortable with our view that the Fed will cut rates only twice this year, by 25 basis points each, in September and December.” This outlook aligns with the broader market sentiment, which now sees a less aggressive path for interest rate cuts in the coming months.
Bond Yields Rise as Market Adjusts Expectations
In the bond market, Treasury yields climbed, led by shorter maturities, as traders reassessed their expectations for future Fed actions. The 10-year Treasury yield rose by eight basis points to 3.91%, reflecting a shift in sentiment away from the possibility of significant rate cuts in September. The dollar also gained, further indicating a stronger economic outlook.
Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers provided an insightful analogy, saying, “Hard, soft, bumpy? The market goes ‘to the mattresses’,” referencing a line from “The Godfather” to describe the market’s defensive stance. Sosnick added, “If you’re in a FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and momentum-driven rally mode, you’ll buy stocks regardless of the reason. Today’s economic reports make the chances for aggressive rate-cutting more remote, but that doesn’t matter today.”
Markets Ride High on Optimism
In conclusion, Thursday’s market action reflects a renewed sense of optimism among investors, driven by stronger-than-expected economic data. DEYTHERE Media News explains that while the future of interest rates remains uncertain, the market’s current trajectory suggests confidence in the U.S. economy’s resilience. As retail sales and labor market data continue to surprise on the upside, investors are positioning themselves for continued growth, even as the Federal Reserve navigates the delicate balance between inflation control and economic stability.
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