Completely satisfied New 12 months! I hope everybody had a beautiful vacation. I do know it may be a bit powerful restarting all the things after a break, however the stage has already been set for 2023 to be a little bit of an financial whirlwind. So, it’s finest to attempt to get our bearings prior to later—what can we anticipate within the new week and yr?
On Friday, all eyes shall be on the federal government’s December jobs report, which is able to give us an replace on the energy of the U.S. jobs market. All through 2022, the labor market remained resilient, indicating a powerful financial system. You may suppose that is excellent news, however suppose once more. The stronger the U.S. financial system, the extra that the financial system might be anticipated to resist the shock of upper rates of interest handed to us by the Federal Reserve. That makes buyers very nervous about whether or not policymakers may increase charges too excessive and quick, stoking recession worries.
Fears that 2023 might be the yr that the financial system ideas right into a recession linger. Rising unemployment could be one of many first indicators that we is likely to be headed there. On the finish of this month, policymakers on the Federal Reserve shall be assembly once more (I do know—didn’t we simply cowl this?) and can resolve in the event that they increase charges, and by how a lot. Traders shall be paying shut consideration not simply to the primary assembly of the yr, however the path the central financial institution may take over the following few months.
Shares are falling immediately after steep losses in 2022 as buyers begin this new yr with much less optimism. Although shares took a beating final yr—and that development might proceed this yr—this may be a very good alternative to purchase equities at a low cost.