Macro Market Movers

Rising rates led to a difficult first quarter for fixed income, but the silver lining is that income opportunities may have improved.

Fed Day. The Federal Reserve (Fed) wraps up its two-day monetary policy meeting this afternoon, with a post-meeting statement to be released at 2:00 p.m. ET.

One of the most popular investment sayings is about to take over the airwaves: “Sell in May and Go Away.” The reason for the concern is that the upcoming six months has historically been the weakest six-month stretch of the year.

Earnings season producing very impressive upside. With 267 S&P 500 Index companies having reported first quarter results, earnings for the quarter are tracking to a 24.6% year-over-year increase.

The week ahead will be busy for investors with a swath of top-tier economic data due out amid quarterly earnings reports from 125 S&P 500 firms including Apple, McDonald’s, and Ford.

The Commerce Department announced that the U.S. economy grew 2.3% year over year in the first quarter, better than the consensus estimate of 2.0%, but beneath last quarter’s 2.9% and the 3.2% rate seen in the third quarter of 2017.

Economy slows, with little expected impact for the rest of 2018. The U.S. economy grew at 2.3% in the first quarter, better than the consensus estimate of 2.0% but a slowdown from the near 3% growth of the prior three quarters.

There’s a certain mystique surrounding the Federal Reserve (Fed) and how its decisions affect the economy and the interests of investors.

Excellent earnings season thus far, by the numbers. First quarter earnings results have been excellent so far, with about 30% of S&P 500 Index companies having reported.

When people invest their money, whether it’s in the stock market, a rental property, or their education, they expect to get a return on their investment.