Weekly Market Review & Analysis For April 4, 2022

The market growth-oriented stocks, both small and large, took the market on a rough road this week when the Ten-year yield rose 34 basis points to close at 2.71%. In the meantime, the Nasdaq Composite index, with -3.9%, along with the small-cap Russell 2000, posting -4.6%, dropped more than 3%, while the S&P 500 sank 1.3%, and the Dow Jones index slipped 0.3%.

The principal trigger for the rise in interest rate increases was Fed Governor Brainard (FOMC voters), who expected that the Fed's balance sheet would shrink significantly faster than during the previous recovery - beginning in May

The March Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes revealed Brainard's hawkishness. Brainard's hawkish stance by stating that participants generally agreed that it was proper to reduce the balance sheets by $95 billion each month (about $60 billion in U.S. Treasury securities and around $35 billion for MBS) as well as that at least 50 basis points increases in the federal funds rate may be appropriate in future meetings.

The rates for shorter-dated also increased, with the Two-year yield rising by ten basis points to close at 2.52%, amid expectations of a rate hike. The longer-dated market rates were also boosted thanks to the latest ISM Non-Manufacturing Index, which indicated an increase in the Prices Paid Index reading of 83.8% - its second-highest reading in history.

In essence, the Fed news raised fears regarding the central bank possibly making a mistake in its economic policy, which could send the economy deeper into a recession, lower earnings potential, and affect valuations. Growth-stock valuations were affected due to the rapid increase in interest rates this week.

The S&P 500 information technology sector with -4.0%, consumer discretionary sector with -3.3%, and communication services sector with -2.7% sectors that are home to the mega-caps were influential weight-in on the index. The industrials sector with -2.6% was likewise very vulnerable amid continuous bleeding in the transportation market space.

However, the energy sector with +3.2%, the health care sector with +3.4%, the consumer staples sector with +2.7%, the utilities sector with +1.9%, and the real estate sector with +0.8% were all in positive territory throughout the week. The S&P 500 index ended the week above our Mean Sup 4455.

Additionally, it's important to remind readers that growth stocks were the subject of a speculative bid on Monday following Elon Musk's disclosure of a 9.2% holding of the Twitter stock. Musk was subsequently named to the company's Board of Directors and reclassified his stake as an"active" position participant.

Asia-Pacific region market finished higher to conclude the week's session. At the same time, Eurozone rebounded from Thursday's downside reversal, as Thursday's trading session afternoon resiliency in the U.S. market materialized to provide a good lead-out.