And where are stocks heading from here. Well, we welcome Ed Yardi to Power Lunch. He is founder and head of Ardeni Research.Ed, great to have you on. >> Thank you very much. >> All right.Why do you think the market is not reacting a little more negatively to the hot inflation read and a lowered expectation of more Fed rate cuts in the future. Well, I think the uh market hasn't given up on the idea that the economy is actually resilient, that it doesn't necessarily need lower interest rates and that if we ge ...

Following that PPI number, a little bit of hotter to read on inflation. Rick Santelli joining us now from Chicago with the bond report. But again, I guess I'm a little bit vexed.That's a thousand word, Rick, about why we're not seeing a bigger move in bonds or stocks. Yeah. Well, that those are my deos.PPI hot claims tame. And the next one, limited treasury reaction to the data. And I could say limited market reaction.You've said basically the same thing. But guess what. The market has a big opinion here, f ...

Interest Rate Expectations & Market Impact - The market has largely priced out the possibility of a 50 basis point rate cut in September, with the conversation shifting to either a 25 basis point cut or no cut at all [1][2][3] - Expectations for multiple rate cuts in 2024 are diminishing, with some suggesting only one or two cuts by the end of the year [2][15] - The potential for a "hawkish cut" is being considered, where the Federal Reserve cuts rates but maintains a hawkish stance [3] - The market's optimism, particularly in sectors like biotech, small caps, and homebuilders, is being re-evaluated in light of the hotter-than-expected PPI data [2] Sector Performance & Investment Strategies - Small-cap stocks have been significantly influenced by the prospect of rate cuts, and their performance may be hindered if rate cut expectations are scaled back [6][7][8] - Homebuilder stocks, which had been performing well, may see their "sizzle" diminish due to the changing rate cut narrative [4][5] - Wells Fargo Investment Institute has downgraded small caps to unfavorable, citing concerns about slowing economic growth and high borrowing costs [12] - An equal-weight strategy (RSP) is being considered as an alternative to mega-cap and small-cap investments, offering diversification without the risks associated with small caps [17] Economic Outlook & Fed Policy - The Producer Price Index (PPI) data has introduced uncertainty into the "no inflation" narrative and the likelihood of significant rate cuts [1][6][14] - The Federal Reserve is likely aiming for a consistent rate-cutting approach, avoiding the "stop-start" pattern of the 1970s and 1980s [15] - There's a risk that the Chairman of the Federal Reserve might temper expectations for a guaranteed 25 basis point rate cut at Jackson Hole [19] - Structurally higher interest rates are anticipated compared to the past decade, which will impact sectors like homebuilders [16]

Bond Market & Interest Rates - The short end of the market is likely to experience one or two rate cuts before year-end, which could provide some support [1] - High credit card interest rates, around 25%, are a key concern [1] - Housing market is identified as the critical missing piece in the economy [2] - Treasury Secretary's comments on lowering rates may have had some effect [3] - Market participants experience a sense of relief after CPI releases, even if slightly warmer than expected, leading to lower yields for twos and tens maturities [4] Dollar Index & Speculative Trading - The dollar index is sensitive to the administration's pressure for lower rates due to its wider audience of speculative trading [5] - A close below 98 on the dollar index is expected to maintain selling pressure, according to technicians [5] - The dollar index has retraced a significant portion of its bounce from multi-year lows seen in early July [5]

Market Performance - Tech-heavy indices showed little movement, while small caps and blue chips surged, indicating a broadening market rally [1] - The S&P 500 increased by 0.1% to 6,451.86, slightly retreating from an all-time high of 6,480 [2] - The Russell 2000 rose by 1.3% after a 3% jump on Tuesday, marking its best two-day rally since April 9 [3] Economic Indicators - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for a 50-basis-point rate cut in September, suggesting current rates should be 150-175 basis points lower [3] - July inflation data showed headline CPI at 2.7% year-over-year, below the expected 2.8%, while core inflation rose to 3.1% from 2.9% [4] Sector Performance - Healthcare and materials sectors led equity gains, while industrials and utilities lagged [4] - Data center-linked stocks weakened, with GE Vernova Inc. dropping 6% after significant year-to-date gains [5] - Advanced Micro Devices Inc. outperformed in the semiconductor sector, increasing by 5% to its highest since mid-July 2024 [5] Commodity and Cryptocurrency Trends - Gold rose by 0.3% and silver gained 1.6%, supported by a weaker dollar and falling Treasury yields [6] - Oil prices fell, with WTI down 1.4% to $62.23, marking its eighth loss in ten sessions [6] - Bitcoin remained steady at $120,000 [6] Stock Movements - Cava Group Inc. fell by 15%, while CoreWeave Inc. dropped 18%, and Performance Food Group Company rose by 4.1% [11] - U.S.-listed Chinese stocks rallied, with Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. up 3%, Baidu Inc. rising 3.7%, and Li Auto Inc. gaining 3.6% [11]

Why don't we start off with the with the markets hitting new record highs once again after that CPI report that in all honesty it was kind of mixed. Uh you know headline was better than expected core was just slightly hotter than expected. What's your take on that.Well I think it was it's just a reflection of the fact that the market was bracing for a hot CPI knowing that not only was the Fed but economists were warning that we'd start to see inflation coming through uh in the July CPI report. So, I think i ...

Market Overview - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached new record highs, with the S&P 500 closing at 6,445.76 points, marking its 16th record close of the year [4][11] - The recent rally was fueled by lower-than-expected inflation data, which raised hopes for a potential rate cut in September [5][7] Economic Indicators - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in July, lower than the expected 0.3% increase, and year-over-year CPI rose 2.7%, also below the consensus estimate of 2.8% [5] - Core CPI, excluding food and energy, increased by 0.3% in July, aligning with expectations, while year-over-year core CPI rose 3.1%, slightly above the anticipated 3% [6] Investor Sentiment - There is a growing optimism among investors regarding rate cuts, with a 94% chance of a 25-basis point cut in September, up from 85% prior to the CPI report [7][11] - The S&P 500 has rebounded significantly after nearing bear market territory in April, gaining 2.8% in the past month and 9.6% year-to-date [9] Investment Opportunities - Recommended S&P 500 stocks with strong growth potential for 2025 include: - **Adobe Inc. (ADBE)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 12% for the current year, Zacks Rank 2 [12] - **Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 12.3%, Zacks Rank 2 [14] - **Broadcom Inc. (AVGO)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 36.1%, Zacks Rank 2 [16] - **Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 16%, Zacks Rank 2 [18] - **Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 23.8%, Zacks Rank 1 [20]

Inflation & Tariffs - The report suggests that tariffs' impact on goods inflation was not significant in the current CPI print [2] - Services inflation showed broad-based gains, raising concerns about overall inflation [3] - The expectation is that the impact of tariffs on inflation will increase in the second half of the year [4] - Corporations may initially absorb tariff costs, but will eventually pass them on to consumers, particularly in sectors with low margins like groceries [10][11] - Uncertainty remains regarding the ultimate tariff rate and its full impact on the economy [11] Monetary Policy & Fed - The market anticipates an aggressive path of rate cuts, which is reflected in equity market performance [5] - The analyst suggests the Fed should consider only one or two rate cuts this year due to inflation concerns [3] - Political factors and dovish Fed governors could influence the Fed's decisions [5] - The analyst believes reason will prevail within the Fed committee, leading to rate cuts, but potentially only 25 basis points [6][7] - A 25 basis point rate cut may not significantly benefit the mortgage market or other interest rate-sensitive sectors if the 10-year yield rises [7] Bond Market & Yields - The 2-year Treasury yield is expected to range between 350 and 400 basis points (35%-4%) due to aggressive policy easing already priced in [14] - The 10-year Treasury yield is expected to remain range-bound between 400 and 450 basis points (4%-45%) [14] - The 30-year Treasury yield is more volatile and dependent on global bond yields [14][15]

Inflation and Economic Growth - The data suggests that inflation is not a major concern, with the bigger problem being a lack of real growth [2] - Real GDP growth in the first half of the year is slightly less than 1% annualized, and job creation is up 60 basis points annualized [3] - Current inflation is running at 2.5% to 3% [3] Federal Reserve (Fed) Policy - A Fed rate cut is anticipated, with the expectation that the Fed will choose to ease next month [3] - The market has been narrow in this bull market because the Fed has been tightening [7] - If the Fed cuts the funds rate, long-term bond yields and mortgage rates could decrease, the dollar could weaken, and the money supply could increase, all of which are positive for stocks and the economy [9] - A Fed rate cut could be a game-changer, potentially initiating a new bull market [10] Market Outlook and Investment Strategies - Small caps and midcaps offer a very attractive relative PE discount, trading at more than 30% discounts to their average 20-year relative PE with the S&P 500 [12][13] - Historically, 12 months after the Fed starts cutting interest rates, large caps gain less than 4%, while small caps are up about 3%, indicating significant room for small caps to move [13] - If the Fed eases, leadership may broaden out to small caps, international value plays [11]

I think uh uh the the committee put their uh rate cut program on pause when the tariff situation arose uh six months ago and now you have six months of evidence. Uh I don't really think tariffs cause inflation. Taxes don't cause inflation.And so what you're seeing in the data is very muted effects uh that are one-time increases in the price level. And so you're not really seeing anything. And the committee's coming around to the view, I think, that this is probably a one-time increase in the price level and ...