The #1 reasons US stock markets are near a record high

It is the second scorching day in a row for US equities with the S&P 500 now up 73 factors, or 1.2%. It is a good peace dividend after a worrisome two weeks within the Center East.

Within the grand scope of the market’s reminiscence, this episode will rapidly be forgotten. The market has additionally come to phrases with tariffs after a harrowing April and seems snug pricing in one thing like a ten% across-the-board US tariff. I feel there’s nonetheless some deserved fear about retaliation and an erratic White Home tariff agenda however I would think about the response perform in markets shall be to buy-the-dip on tariff worries from right here on out as companies and customers have proven they are much extra resilient than sentiment information initially steered.

However none of that’s the actual purpose why shares are so resilient. The only expression of why is that this: 4.33%. That is the efficient Federal Funds charge in the intervening time, touchdown inside the goal vary of 4.25-4.50%. It is a excessive start line and implies that the Fed has ample room to chop if something goes flawed in the true financial system — which is what issues for markets.

Right here is how Financial institution of America put it at present:

If one thing goes to interrupt within the financial system, we expect it’s going to occur over the summer time.

In that case the Fed would in all probability minimize by no less than 75bp, beginning in September.

Stated otherwise, there are two potential outcomes (barring one thing silly on tariffs). 1) The financial system is locate and the Fed holds charges, or 2) The financial system worsens and the Fed cuts dramatically.

In case you’re lengthy shares, that is a situation the place it is ‘heads I win, tails you lose’.