Wall Street Has Mispriced This Risk

Group 1: Tariffs and Consumer Impact - Walmart's CFO indicated that the 30% tariff on China is "still too high," suggesting that price increases are imminent due to the inability of retailers and suppliers to absorb the tariff costs [2][4] - There is concern that consumers will start seeing higher prices, particularly towards the end of May and into June [3][5] - Treasury Secretary Bessent mentioned that Walmart will likely absorb some of the tariffs, similar to their actions in previous years [4] Group 2: Consumer Spending and Economic Sentiment - Despite rising tariffs, consumer spending remains steady, reflecting a resilient economy, although there are signs of consumer anxiety regarding job security [6][5] - The University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey indicated that inflation expectations have risen to 7.3%, the highest since 1981, which may affect consumer spending behavior [7] - Fed Chair Powell noted that the link between consumer sentiment and spending has been weak historically, suggesting that a decline in sentiment may not directly lead to reduced spending [12] Group 3: Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - The Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates has not been as dovish as anticipated, with reduced expectations for rate cuts this year [9][10] - Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic indicated that tariffs have been larger than expected, impacting the Fed's projections for rate cuts [11] - The current economic environment suggests that the average consumer may handle limited rate cuts, but the stock market may not be accurately pricing in the impact of tariffs on earnings [13][15] Group 4: Market Valuation and Future Outlook - The S&P 500 is near all-time highs despite the presence of a blanket 10% tariff and a 30% tariff on China, raising questions about market logic [14] - JPMorgan's CEO expressed concerns that stock market values do not adequately reflect the risks of higher inflation and potential stagnation [15] - There is a belief that while short-term prices may decline, long-term prospects for leading AI stocks remain bullish, with expectations of significantly higher profits in the future [22]