Core Viewpoint - The recent week in the U.S. stock market was marked by strong earnings reports from major tech companies, yet overshadowed by new tariff fluctuations and a disappointing employment report, leading to a chaotic and contradictory market environment [1][3]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The market is grappling with conflicting signals, including a significant drop in short-term Treasury yields due to a poor non-farm employment report and new tariff uncertainties [3]. - Despite strong quarterly earnings from major tech firms, the muted stock price reactions suggest that market expectations have become more stringent [4]. - Small-cap stocks faced their worst week since last year, with the Russell 2000 index dropping 4% over five consecutive trading days, indicating a lack of market breadth [4]. Group 2: Tariff Implications - New tariff fluctuations have reintroduced uncertainty into the market, although many market participants no longer view tariffs as a primary decision-making factor [5]. - Goldman Sachs economists predict that the average effective tariff rate in the U.S. will rise by 9 percentage points, with cumulative increases of 14 and 17 percentage points expected by the end of this year and next year, respectively [5]. Group 3: Fund Flows and Leverage - Recent weeks have seen a shift in fund flows towards risk aversion, with a notable decline in speculative positions and retail investor demand expected to decrease as August approaches [6]. - The overall leverage in the market has seen its largest decline since June 2023, indicating better control over excessive risk exposure [6]. Group 4: Global Perspective - In the global asset allocation landscape, U.S. assets, particularly tech stocks, remain favorable despite a temporary sell-off in April [7]. - The report acknowledges strong performance in the Chinese market, especially in the tech sector, but notes that the market is still waiting for domestic consumption to be fully realized [7]. Group 5: Federal Reserve Challenges - The Federal Reserve's inaction amidst significant events raises concerns about the risk of policy missteps, particularly as core commodity inflation rises while the labor market weakens [8]. - Traders are advised to pay attention to market signals, with short-term options becoming an important tool for professional fund managers [8].
美股“混乱一周”,高盛对冲基金主管:很多结果已揭晓,但问题比答案更多