TSP Talk Blog

The market was mixed as the Dow closed down 26-points, 0r 0.10%, while the S&P added 0.25%, and the Nasdaq and small caps performed even better. So it feels like investors are still trying to process the new interest rate outlook from the Fed, the recent major merger, and any possible effects the meeting with North Korean had, as they try to piece together what these events will do to the different sectors.

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The Fed increased the Fed Funds rate by 0.25% as expected, but the twist was that they had a more hawkish outlook this time around, and the odds are now looking like another possible two rate hikes this year. Two was a possibility but it has now become more likely, and that seems to be what the late selling was responding to.

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It was another fairly flat day on the eve of the FOMC meeting, although there were certainly pockets of strength in the Nasdaq and the small caps. The Dow lost 2-points while the S&P added 5.

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Yesterday felt like a calm before the storm. Trading was light and the bulls seemed fully in charge, but a late pullback pushed the indices to a mostly flat close although all of the major indices ended with gains, some barely. The Dow gained 6-points, while the Transports led with a 1% gain, and the I-fund may have been helped by the early closes abroad.

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Stocks were higher on Friday as investors seemed reluctant to sell in front of this week's busy schedule. After starting the day in negative territory, the Dow ended the day up 75-points on Friday, with a similar percentage gain for the S&P 500 and small caps. The Nasdaq lagged and the I-fund got fair valued.

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