The implications of events in the Middle East for the US economy are uncertain. In the near term, higher energy prices will push up overall inflation, but it is too soon to know the scope and duration of the potential effects on the economy. >> That was the Fed chair at yesterday's news conference talking about the impact of the war on inflation.Those comments followed the decision to pause cuts for the second consecutive time as the war complicates the outlook for rates. Fed funds futures now implying that ...

MATT: MATT MILLER. DANI: I'M DANI BURGER. "BLOOMBERG OPEN INTEREST" STARTS RIGHT NOW.MATT: OIL AND GAS SURGING THIS MORNING AS ENERGY ATTACKS ESCALATE. WHICH TREASURY SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT SUGGESTS THE U.S. MAY UNSANCTION IRANIAN OIL ON THE WATER. DANI: PRESIDENT TRUMP TRIES TO TURN DOWN THE HEAT, DISTANCING ATTACKS ON IRAN'S SOUTH GAS FIELD.MATT: CENTRAL BANKERS WEIGH IN. POWELL SAYS IT IS TOO SOON TO JUDGE THE IMPACT OF THE IRAN WAR ON THE ECONOMY. WE HEAR FROM CHRISTINE LAGARDE.DANI: IT WAS THAT U.K. R ...

Core Viewpoint - The Fidelity Enhanced Large Cap Growth ETF (FELG) is down 7.77% year-to-date, similar to the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 7.76%, but FELG employs a quantitative model that allows it to shift away from overvalued tech stocks, while VUG, as a passive index fund, lacks this mechanism [1][6][10]. Group 1: Performance Analysis - FELG and VUG have both experienced significant declines this year, with VUG dropping from approximately $488 to around $450 per share, reflecting a 7.76% loss [5][6]. - The Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index ETF (ONEQ) has fared slightly better, down 4.38% year-to-date, due to its broader exposure across over 700 Nasdaq-listed securities [5][6]. Group 2: Interest Rate Impact - The trajectory of interest rates, particularly the 10-year Treasury yield, is a primary driver of growth stock performance, with the yield rising from 3.97% in late February to 4.20% as of March 17, 2026 [2][8]. - Growth stocks are sensitive to interest rate changes because their valuations are heavily influenced by future earnings, which are discounted more when rates are high [7]. Group 3: Structural Differences - FELG is not a passive index fund; it utilizes a quantitative process to favor companies with improving fundamentals, contrasting with passive funds like VUG and ONEQ that do not adjust exposure during market corrections [10][12]. - FELG's top holdings include significant positions in mega-cap tech stocks, but it also includes healthcare stocks like Eli Lilly, which may provide a different recovery profile if tech continues to lag [11]. Group 4: Future Outlook - If the 10-year Treasury yield stabilizes or decreases, and the Federal Reserve signals further rate cuts, FELG's quantitative model is designed to rotate towards fundamentally improving companies, potentially leading to a different recovery trajectory compared to passive peers [14]. - The VIX index, which peaked at 29.49 on March 6 and has since decreased to 22.37, indicates that while fear is subsiding, volatility compression may precede recoveries in growth-oriented funds [13].

>> THE FED HOLDING INTEREST RATES STEADY IN A RANGE OF THREE AND A HALF TO 3.25%, THAT WAS, AS EXPECTED, THE LATEST SO-CALLED DOT PLOT OF FED MEMBERS RATE PROJECTIONS, INDICATING THAT THE CENTRAL BANK COULD CUT RATES ONCE THIS YEAR AND ONCE NEXT YEAR BY 25 BASIS POINTS EACH TIME. OFFICIALS SEE A SLIGHTLY FASTER PACE OF GDP GROWTH THIS YEAR THAN THEY PREVIOUSLY DID. BUT THEY ALSO SEE HIGHER INFLATION GROWTH IN 2027 PROJECTED A 2.3%.THAT'S HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS 2% FORECAST. FED CHAIR JAY POWELL SAYING THAT ...

Every three months, the Federal Reserve updates a scatter chart known as the dot plot that shows where top officials believe interest rates are headed. Not everyone is a fan of the anonymous projections https://t.co/DT2UJm0G8f ...

Good morning. It is Thursday, March the 19th. Here is what is on the agenda.The energy war escalates, oil spikes. The Fed flagged inflation risks as the BOJ stands pat with the ECB and the BOA amongst a host of central banks set to weigh in later. The market focuses on the central bank decisions, but in the meantime certainly focuses on what is happening in the Persian Gulf.Tom And this is the picture for Brent right now. We're up by 6%. 113 is the handle on Brent.So we're touching new levels on these oil m ...

The Bank of England follows, leaving interest rates unchanged in a 9-0 vote and saying this all members stand ready to act to contain inflation and forecasting inflation at over 3% for the month of February. Net 3.5% for the month of March. And this is a problem not just for the UK.For the ECB as well. You know, it's notable that this was actually a unanimous decision because usually there are dissents on the Bank of England when you hear what the individual members have to say. It highlights just how much ...

Ukraine’s central bank left interest rates unchanged after the first cut in more than a year and a half https://t.co/i7zoqNvvBW ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the current state of money market accounts (MMAs) and highlights the importance of earning competitive rates on savings as interest rates decline following recent Federal Reserve rate cuts [1][3]. Group 1: Current MMA Rates - The national average interest rate for money market accounts is 0.56%, while top rates can exceed 4% APY, comparable to high-yield savings accounts [3][7]. - The Federal Reserve maintained a target range for the federal funds rate of 5.25%–5.50% from July 2023 to September 2024, but has since made three rate cuts, bringing the current rate to 3.50%–3.75% [3][4]. Group 2: Considerations for Savers - Money market accounts are appealing for savers seeking safety, liquidity, and better returns than traditional savings accounts, especially given the current elevated rates [5][6]. - Factors to consider when choosing a money market account include liquidity needs, savings goals, and risk tolerance, as these accounts provide easy access to funds and are FDIC insured [6]. Group 3: Market Trends - Deposit account rates have been on a steady decline, indicating that now may be the last opportunity for savers to benefit from higher rates [4]. - While some banks offer rates above 4% APY, it is noted that rates above 4.5% are uncommon [7].

The Federal Reserve voted Wednesday (March 18) to hold benchmark interest rates steady at a target range of 3.50% to 3.75%, opting for caution amid rising energy costs that threaten to complicate the US economic recovery, which had a significant impact on the Bitcoin price. The decision to pause rather than cut rates sent an immediate chill through risk markets, with BTC USD slipping -5.4% overnight to trade dangerously close to $70,000 shortly after the announcement. While the hold was widely expected, ...