Fed Rescues September
by Rita Wilczek on Oct 14, 2021
Fed Rescues September
Bond purchases may end entirely by the middle of 2022.
Provided by Rita Wilczek
A funny thing happened in the investment markets the other day. September was living up to its reputation as a volatile month, but then the Federal Reserve came to the rescue.
The Fed concluded its Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 22. It announced that it might start tapering its monthly bond purchases soon, perhaps as early as November, and could raise interest rates sometime next year.1
Before the Fed news, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index was down nearly 4% for the month.2
Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that bond purchases may end entirely by the middle of 2022. The support for hiking interest rates also increased, with half of the 18 Fed officials expecting interest rates to be higher by the close of next year, up from just seven who thought similarly in June.1
The markets embraced the update, and over the next three days, the S&P 500 rose 2.3%.2
The Fed also raised its inflation forecast from 3% to 3.7%, which caught some by surprise. The Fed news on inflation came at the same time several large companies warned about higher prices.1,3
Market volatility can test the mettle of even the most patient investor, so please remember we’re here when your patience gets tested.
Rita Wilczek may be reached at (952) 542-8911 or rwilczek@hirep.net
This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index. The Federal Reserve’s forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, subject to revision without notice, and may not materialize.
Citations
1. The Wall Street Journal, September 22, 2021
2. Finance.Yahoo.com, September 24, 2021
3. CNBC.com, September 24, 2021