Stock Market Finishes Lower After Tech Sell-Off; Inflation Expected to be a Major Test Before Federal Reserve's March 20 Meeting

New York, United States United States of America
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has said repeatedly the central bank wants more 'confidence' in inflation downward path before cutting interest rates. The final major test before Federal Reserve's March 20 meeting with February Consumer Price Index (CPI) report out Tuesday, which offers an updated look at inflation.
Retail sales and consumer sentiment reports will feature on the economic calendar in the back half of the week. A lighter earnings schedule is on deck with Dollar Tree (DLTR), Dollar General (DG), Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS), Adobe (ADBE), and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) highlighting quarterly reports.
The stock market finished last week lower after a sell-off in tech that saw the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) lead the losses, falling more than 1%. The equal-weighted S&P 500 logged a weekly gain for the 7th straight week as investors continue to look outside of technology leaders to power the next leg of market rally. Inflation is expected to be a major test before Federal Reserve's March 20 meeting with February Consumer Price Index (CPI) report out Tuesday, which offers an updated look at inflation.
Stock Market Finishes Lower After Tech Sell-Off; Inflation Expected to be a Major Test Before Federal Reserve's March 20 Meeting

The stock market finished last week lower after a sell-off in tech that saw the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) lead the losses, falling more than 1%. The equal-weighted S&P 500 logged a weekly gain for the 7th straight week as investors continue to look outside of technology leaders to power the next leg of market rally. Inflation is expected to be a major test before Federal Reserve's March 20 meeting with February Consumer Price Index (CPI) report out Tuesday, which offers an updated look at inflation.

Retail sales and consumer sentiment reports will feature on the economic calendar in the back half of the week. A lighter earnings schedule is on deck with Dollar Tree (DLTR), Dollar General (DG), Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS), Adobe (ADBE), and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) highlighting quarterly reports.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has said repeatedly the central bank wants more 'confidence' in inflation downward path before cutting interest rates. The final major test before Federal Reserve's March 20 meeting with February Consumer Price Index (CPI) report out Tuesday, which offers an updated look at inflation.

On a core basis, prices are expected to have increased 3.7% year over year and monthly core price increases are expected to clock in at 0.3%, lower than the 0.4% increase seen in January.



Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if the stock market will continue its upward trend or experience another sell-off.
  • The impact of inflation on consumer spending and economic growth remains uncertain.

Sources

75%

  • Unique Points
    • The stock market finished last week lower after a sell-off in tech that saw the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) lead the losses, falling more than 1%. The equal-weighted S&P 500 logged a weekly gain for the 7th straight week as investors continue to look outside of technology leaders to power the next leg of market rally. Inflation is expected to be a major test before Federal Reserve's March 20 meeting with February Consumer Price Index (CPI) report out Tuesday, which offers an updated look at inflation.
    • Retail sales and consumer sentiment reports will feature on the economic calendar in the back half of the week. A lighter earnings schedule is on deck with Dollar Tree (DLTR), Dollar General (DG), Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS), Adobe (ADBE), and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) highlighting quarterly reports.
    • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has said repeatedly the central bank wants more 'confidence' in inflation downward path before cutting interest rates. The final major test before Federal Reserve's March 20 meeting with February Consumer Price Index (CPI) report out Tuesday, which offers an updated look at inflation.
    • On a core basis, prices are expected to have increased 3.7% year over year and monthly core price increases are expected to clock in at 0.3%, lower than the 0.4% increase seen in January.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that the equal-weighted S޶P 500 logged a weekly gain for the 7th straight week as investors continue to look outside the ∔Magnificent Seven∔ tech leaders to power the next leg of the market rally. However, this is not entirely accurate as it implies that all stocks are performing well and there is no other sector contributing to the market's growth. In reality, while some sectors may be lagging behind others, they still have a significant impact on overall economic performance.
    • The article states that retail sales grew 0.8% month over month in February, which is an improvement from January's decline of 0.8%. However, this growth rate does not reflect the actual increase in retail sales for the year as it only covers a two-month period.
    • The article mentions that consumer sentiment reports will feature on the economic calendar in the back half of the week. This implies that these reports are important and have a significant impact on market performance. However, this is not entirely accurate as other factors such as inflation rates, interest rates, and geopolitical events also play a crucial role in shaping consumer sentiment.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the market rally and retail sales as a 'rebound' after a decline in January. This is an example of emotional appeal to create a positive impression on readers without providing evidence for their claim.
    • The market action following Friday’s jobs report showed a distinct shift in trading action.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
    There are multiple examples of conflicts of interest in this article. The author has a financial stake in the stock market and reports on increasing earnings estimates for stocks outside tech leaders. Additionally, the author mentions Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell who is responsible for setting monetary policy that could affect inflation.
    • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell
      • The case for other stocks to rally is rooted in increasing earnings estimates for stocks outside the tech leaders
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      72%

      • Unique Points
        • The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 126 points, or 0.3%, on Monday as the rally that brought the major averages to record highs cooled off.
        • Investors also looked ahead to fresh U.S. inflation data.
        • Super Micro Computer dropped more than 5% and Nvidia swung between gains and losses in another day of choppy trading, with both moves coming as investors question if stocks tied to artificial intelligence have more room to run after monster rallies.
        • Meta also struggled, with the Facebook parent tumbling nearly 4%. Outside of tech, pharmaceutical stock Eli Lilly dropped more than 4%.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (50%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title suggests that stocks are falling for a second day as the rally to record highs pauses. However, this is not entirely accurate as only one of the major averages (the S&P 500) slipped by 1%, while others remained unchanged or rose slightly. Secondly, the article mentions that investors are looking ahead to fresh U.S inflation data but does not provide any context about what this means for stocks or the economy as a whole. This is misleading and could be seen as an attempt to manipulate readers' perceptions of the stock market without providing all necessary information. Thirdly, the article quotes experts who suggest that markets are probably still too optimistic about the Fed's ability to cut rates significantly in 2024 but does not provide any evidence or data to support this claim. This is deceptive as it presents an opinion as fact without backing it up with concrete information.
        • The article mentions fresh U.S inflation data but does not provide any context about what this means or how it will affect the stock market.
        • The title of the article suggests that stocks are falling for a second day, when only one major average slipped by 1%.
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the decline in stock prices and makes an appeal to authority by citing economists' predictions about inflation data. Additionally, there are instances where the author presents information that contradicts their own statements or creates a dichotomous depiction of events.
        • The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 126 points, or 0.3%.
      • Bias (85%)
        The article reports on the decline of stock prices for a second day as the rally to record highs cooled off. The authors also discuss inflation data and its potential impact on markets. They mention specific stocks that have struggled in recent days, such as Eli Lilly and Meta. Additionally, they provide information about upcoming economic reports, including producer-focused index later this week.
        • Meta also struggled with the Facebook parent tumbling nearly 4%
          • The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 126 points
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            Alex Harring and Sarah Min have a conflict of interest on the topic of stocks as they are reporting for Reuters which is owned by Thomson Reuters. They also report on Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, Super Micro Computer and Nvidia.
            • Alex Harring and Sarah Min are reporting for Reuters which is owned by Thomson Reuters. They also report on Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, Super Micro Computer and Nvidia.

            61%

            • Unique Points
              • `A month after the stock market was rocked by a worse-than-expected inflation report, investors are fearing a reprise when the latest data arrives on Tuesday.`
            • Accuracy
              • `The broad equities benchmark hasn’t had a better run than this since 1964.`
              • Despite last week’s sideways price action, the S&P 500 Index is on a tear, climbing in 16 of the past 19 weeks on the back of improving earnings outlooks and a resilient US economy.`
            • Deception (30%)
              The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that inflation will be hotter than expected when it may not necessarily be so. Secondly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that traders are on alert for a reprise of last month's worse-than-expected inflation report without providing any evidence to support this claim.
              • The title implies that inflation will be hotter than expected when it may not necessarily be so.
            • Fallacies (75%)
              The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the S&P 500 Index is on a tear and has had a better run than this since 1964. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when they say 'some of those gains could be undone' which implies that the market will crash if inflation continues to show stubbornly sticky.
              • The S&P 500 Index is on a tear, climbing in 16 of the past 19 weeks
              • has had a better run than this since 1964
            • Bias (75%)
              The article contains a statement that implies the author is biased towards inflation being stubbornly sticky. The sentence says 'some of those gains could be undone if the monthly consumer price index reading continues to show inflation remaining stubbornly sticky.' This suggests that the author believes it would be bad for investors and markets if inflation remains high, which may not necessarily be true.
              • The S&P 500 Index is on a tear, climbing in 16 of the past 19 weeks on the back of improving earnings outlooks and a resilient US economy.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication