- The proverbial shot-across-the-bow came last week as the markets finally reacted to inflation fears as reflected in the sizzling CPI (Consumer Price Index) and PPI (Producer Price Index) numbers.
- The closure of the Colonial Pipeline due to a cyber attack didn't help either as gasoline prices spiked and gas stations in the SE ran dry.
- And though the Federal Reserve says inflation is only "transitory," the markets aren't buying it and believe it's only a matter of time before the Fed has to react to it.
- For the week, the S&P 500 was down -1.3%, the DJIA was -1.0% while the Russell 2000 Small Cap was -1.9% and the Nasdaq-100 dropped a large -2.3%.
- And if it wasn't for Friday's rally, the Nasdaq 100 would have been down -4.5% for the week. Obviously, concerns are mounting, and though I hate to say it, I have started to hedge technology.
For further details see:
Equity CEF Performances: Updated Through May 14, 2021