IVT - Risks Of 'No Landing'

Summary

• U.S. equity markets were mixed on a choppy week as investors readjusted expectations for inflation and interest rates following data indicating an uptick in economic activity and persisting price pressures.
• Posting its first back-to-back weekly declines of the year, the S&P 500 slipped 0.2% this week, but other major benchmarks fared better. The Mid-Cap 400 and Small-Cap 600 both gained.
• Real estate equities were among the laggards this week as upward pressure on benchmark interest rates offset a generally solid slate of earnings results and encouraging dividend news.
• Real estate earnings season kicked into a higher gear with reports from nearly 40 REITs. Dividend hikes were a focus with another seven REITs raising their dividend while one REIT lowered its payout.
• A critical slate of inflation reports provided a mixed signal on the path of inflation - and by extension the Fed's monetary policy course - with both the CPI and PPI indexes showing a month-over-month uptick in inflation in January but a continued moderation in the annual rate.

For further details see: