In the latest Market Signals podcast, LPL Research strategists recap a golden week for the S&P 500, share LPL Research’s latest thoughts on the economy, and preview one of the busiest weeks in recent memory.
Stocks rose last week, sending the S&P 500 Index to more new highs. A trade agreement with Japan and solid earnings results were among the positive catalysts that kept the impressive rally going.
The strategists explain that the economy’s second quarter rebound follows a first quarter suppressed by a surge in imports from businesses front-running tariff threats. The subsequent rebound in growth might create a perception of a strong recovery—likely a head fake. The whiplash in trade policy adversely impacts official economic data and makes it difficult for investors to discern whether the economy is genuinely rebounding or merely experiencing short-term fluctuations.
Next, the strategists preview a very busy week ahead. The highlight of the week will likely be the Fed’s press conference on Wednesday afternoon. The Federal Open Market Committee is expected to keep rates unchanged as the Committee remains in wait-and-see mode. However, we might see some dissents in the statement, plus updates on potential tariff impacts from the Chair during the press conference.
This week also brings trade negotiations with China, a federal court ruling on the legal basis for many of the Trump administration’s tariffs, a huge week of earnings with over 160 S&P 500 companies reporting, and several top-tier economic data points including second quarter GDP, July payrolls, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, and monthly consumer spending.
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