The US nonfarm payroll figures released on Friday were largely positive, certainly in terms of forecasts for a “soft-landing. The 216,000 net new jobs added in December is a number consistent with low or falling unemployment rates and the jobs were widely distributed across industries; the US economy is nowhere close to a recession at this point. These metrics likely lower the chances of the Fed lowering rates anytime soon. If accurate, that could put upward pressure on interest rates out of the curve, and downward pressure on P/E ratios. The Fed cutting rates may risk more economic activity and may derail or delay the Fed achieving its 2% inflation target. The Fed’s recent revelation that it was targeting three rate cuts totaling 75 bps in 2024 sent the equity and fixed income markets surging in December. Both the NASDAQ and the Dow Jones Industrial Indices set all-time highs during the month. On the wealth planning front, we discuss the great wealth transfer and how it may be beneficial to some but not others.
Click Here to Read the January 8, 2024, Economic Commentary
Click Here to Read the January 8, 2024, Investment Commentary
Click Here to Read the January 8, 2024, Wealth Planning Commentary
