Investors are underpricing tariff risks, says Raymond James' Sunaina Sinha Haldea

Core Insights - The private credit market has seen significant inflows, becoming a mainstream borrowing option, but this rapid growth brings inherent risks, as evidenced by recent bankruptcies [2] - Corporate balance sheets remain resilient, with strong fundamentals, but there is an expectation of more headlines related to financial distress in the coming quarters [3][4] - Investors are underestimating tariff risks, which have led to inventory stockpiling by companies, and now those without pricing power are beginning to pass costs onto consumers [6][7] Group 1: Private Credit Market - The private credit market has become a significant option for borrowing, but risks are emerging as not all financial instruments are underwritten properly [2] - Recent bankruptcies indicate potential issues within the private credit space, although they may not lead to systemic risks due to the resilience of corporate balance sheets [2][3] Group 2: Tariff Impacts - Companies have been stockpiling inventory in anticipation of tariffs, but as these inventories are depleted, the costs are starting to be passed on to consumers, particularly affecting those without pricing power [6][8] - The US dollar's low index is exacerbating import costs, creating additional challenges for companies dealing with tariffs [7] Group 3: Federal Reserve Considerations - The Federal Reserve faces a delicate balancing act in managing interest rates amid labor market softening and potential inflationary pressures from tariff impacts [10][11] - There is uncertainty regarding the Fed's future actions, especially in light of the evolving economic landscape and the potential for further interest rate cuts [10][11]