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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- Stocks and bonds sold off in the third quarter of 2022 because of sticky inflation and aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
- There are signs that inflation is moderating – for example supply chain constraints are easing, commodity prices and home prices are falling.
- The Federal Reserve looks at the backward-looking Consumer Price Index (CPI) to make decisions about interest rate hikes and is expected to continue its course.
- The economy is showing signs of slowing down and the probability of a recession has increased. However, the employment situation is strong, and the cyclical portions of the economy are not elevated which points to a mild recession if one were to happen.
- Corporate earnings growth is moderating but stocks are cheaper than their historical average. However, if earnings estimates get slashed further there could be further decline in equity prices.
- Historically, stocks have done well after recessions when investor sentiment is low. This supports the view that recessions are an opportunity to invest.