Inflation, Interest Rates and Oil Prices Weigh Down Stocks
Firday’s markets ended mixed, with heavy downward pressure over macroeconomic trends,
such as the housing market and the spectre of oil at $70/barrel. The Nasdaq ended up 0.1% while the S&P 500 and the Dow dropped by 0.1%.
During trading, 10-year US Treasury bond yields rose above 4.9% for the first time since mid-August. At the close of trading the 10-year bonds were at 98 1/32, with a yield of 4.879%, up from yesterday’s close at 4.867%.
Volatility in the bond market has led to uncertainty on the Street, particularly financials, consumer goods and housing stocks, which are heavily affected by rate fluctuations.
