Market Updates
- While the Federal Reserve expects inflation to begin slowing down, it may still take a while as consumer spending tightens and job growth slows.
- Credit also continues to tighten, which affects all rate-sensitive sectors, especially housing. Home sales have decreased by more than 30% over the last year.
- The last Federal Reserve interest rate increase was announced March 22, from 4.75% to 5%, and there’s potential for an additional increase in May.
- We still anticipate gas prices to increase as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) announced production cuts of 1.16 million barrels a day at the beginning of April in response to cuts in Russia production and China reopening. These cuts could lead to gas barrels costing as much as $100, which could raise gas prices into the range of $4-$7 per gallon this summer. The higher gas prices could potentially contribute to an increase in inflation and, ultimately, the Federal Reserve raising interest rates more.
Ask Triangle Questions
Q: What if the Federal Reserve doesn’t raise the interest rate?
A: If the Federal Reserve doesn’t continue increasing interest rates, it would be considered a positive announcement for financial markets. Regardless of what happens, Triangle Financial Services advisors continue to sort through all the noise and the ups and downs of interest rates to ensure we are proactively planning for and keeping an eye on your long-term financial goals and health. We always encourage you to call whenever you have questions or concerns!
Sources
- Press Release March 22, 2023 Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement
- Job growth totals 236,000 in March, near expectations as hiring pace slows
- US Economic Outlook April 2023
- Oil prices notch biggest gain in nearly a year after OPEC’s surprise output cut
- OPEC+ just made the Fed’s job more complicated. Here’s what it did – and what could be next
Join us for the next Ask Triangle on Friday May 5th at 11 a.m. (CST)
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