Trump’s Return and Policies: Donald Trump made his first public appearance since the assassination attempt at the Republican National Committee convention. His policies, including tax cuts and deregulation, were highlighted, and Senator JD Vance was announced as his running mate. Vance’s populist policies align closely with Trump’s vision.
China as a Threat: In an interview, Vance labeled China as the biggest threat to the US. Trump pledged a 60% tariff on all Chinese imports if elected, potentially halving China’s economic growth, according to UBS research.
Treasury Trade and Interest Rates: Trump’s potential presidency is pressuring long-term Treasury yields higher due to concerns over fiscal policy and inflation. The “Trump trade” might normalize the bond market curve, especially if the Fed cuts rates, which Goldman Sachs economists believe is justified. Treasuries have rallied, with 10-year yields near their lowest since March.
Fed’s Confidence in Inflation Path: Fed Chair Jerome Powell expressed increased confidence that inflation is heading toward the 2% target, despite risks in the labor market. Mary Daly echoed this sentiment but emphasized the need for more data. John Authers noted that the Fed will likely have more influence on investor decisions than a potential second Trump presidency.
Upcoming Earnings and Economic Data: Earnings reports from Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Charles Schwab, State Street, and UnitedHealth are anticipated. Retail sales data is also expected to show consumer pressure.
Market Performance: The S&P 500 is trading near all-time highs, with Apple reaching a new peak and Goldman Sachs seeing profit surges. Investors are questioning how much higher US stocks can go and what the second half of the year's corporate earnings will look like.