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Dow’s 13-Day Winning Streak Snapped
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) experienced a setback on Thursday, ending its impressive 13-day winning streak. The blue-chip index declined by 237 points after coming close to achieving a 14th consecutive session of gains. If the Dow had managed to close higher on both Thursday and Friday, it would have achieved an unprecedented 15-day winning streak, surpassing its previous record set in May 1897.
Historic Gains Cut Short
Before its winning streak was halted, the Dow had been achieving historic levels. Just the day before, on Wednesday, it celebrated its 13th straight day of gains, marking its best winning streak since 1987 and reaching its highest level since February 2022. The market’s optimism was fueled by cooler-than-expected inflation data, leading investors to believe in the possibility of a soft landing for the economy without facing a recession.
Rally Fueled by Interest in AI and Cyclical Stocks
During the year, the Dow saw a roughly 6% increase, primarily driven by strong earnings and investor enthusiasm for technology companies, particularly those involved in AI. This surge in tech-related investments supported the market’s overall momentum. Additionally, investors sought out cyclical stocks tied to the economy, encouraged by the promising economic outlook.
Nasdaq’s Surge and the Broader Market
The tech-heavy Nasdaq initially surged on Thursday, partially fueled by Meta Platforms’ stronger-than-expected quarterly financial report. However, the rally was short-lived as it later experienced a slide. While the Dow’s performance was closely watched, the broader market also experienced some turbulence, with the S&P 500 declining 0.6% on Thursday.
Federal Reserve’s Impact on Market Sentiment
The Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates to their highest level in 22 years, as anticipated by the markets, had a notable impact on investor sentiment. Despite the increase, Federal Reserve officials did not rule out the possibility of further rate hikes later in the year, signaling their focus on controlling inflation. This raised concerns among investors about the potential duration and magnitude of future rate cuts.
Cautious Market Outlook and Predictions
Amidst the market’s recent rally, some analysts expressed caution regarding investors’ expectations of significant rate cuts in 2024. The central bank’s commitment to prioritizing inflation control over immediate recession concerns was a key factor in these predictions. Traders, however, remained divided on the future trajectory of rate cuts, with some believing the market could be overestimating the central bank’s willingness to pivot quickly in response to economic conditions.
