Wharton professor Jeremy Siegel recently cited an interesting theory behind the current bullish market sentiment. He attributes it to investors’ anticipation that the Federal Reserve might hit the brakes on its interest-rate hiking cycle, a move that could diminish the likelihood of a U.S. economic downturn.
“Today’s stock market rally is being fueled in large part by the potential for a Fed hiatus,” Siegel mentioned in a recent interview. He has been vocal about his concern that the Fed’s persistent tightening may be a tad too aggressive, which could possibly trigger a downturn in the latter half of the year. However, if the Fed opts for a pause, he believes it would significantly reduce the recession risk.
Siegel is closely monitoring labor market and housing data, indicators he believes will guide the Fed’s upcoming decision. While the economy seems to be operating smoothly without any major hiccups, it’s crucial not to take this as a sign that all sectors are booming, he warns.
When asked to predict the direction of the stock market, Siegel didn’t express outright bullishness. However, he highlighted the substantial momentum tech stocks like Microsoft and Nvidia have gained, thanks to the remarkable advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).
U.S. stocks have exhibited a strong performance this year, with notable indexes such as the Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 appreciating about 33% and 10% respectively since the onset of the year. This remarkable tech stock rally is largely propelled by the growing enthusiasm surrounding AI, catalyzed further by the groundbreaking launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT tool.
As Siegel observes, the tech sector’s current vigor could potentially sustain through the summer. And despite the fervor surrounding AI stocks, he believes we are far from bubble territory. However, he does caution investors to remain vigilant as overvaluations could emerge down the line.
In summary, the potential of a Fed pause is currently stirring investor optimism and fueling a stock market rally. The implication of this on the risk of a U.S. recession is something all discerning entrepreneurs and investors should keep a keen eye on. At the same time, the power surge in AI and tech stocks provide compelling opportunities for savvy market players.