Cooking Culinary Adventure: inspired by Halifax's Seaport Market | SaltWire #cooking #cookingshortsNEW YORK - Growing volatility in U.S. stocks is driving a search for defensive assets, though investors may have fewer places to hide this time around.
The Japanese yen stands at its lowest against the dollar in about a year. U.S. government bonds are on track for an unprecedented third straight annual loss, with yields on the benchmark 10-year Treasury - which move inversely to bond prices - at their highest since 2007. Fears that the conflict in the Middle East will widen have made traders more anxious, while a weaker-than-expected earnings report for Tesla this week also darkened the mood.
The week ahead will be busy for markets, with earnings due from Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta Platforms - four of the seven U.S. megacap stocks whose gains have powered the S&P 500 higher this year while the rest of the index has lagged. Investors still have some portfolio hedges. Prices for gold have soared 8% since the conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out this month.
“There are certainly plenty of investors who ... at 5% plus rates on completely liquid Treasury bills are willing to park there while they await some clarity on inflation and on the economy,” said Rick Meckler, partner at Cherry Lane Investments. U.S. money market funds have seen $640 billion in inflows this year, according to LSEG data.