Markets posted their fifth straight session of gains Thursday, bouncing back from a deep sell-off that sent the Dow into a correction. Jurrien Timmer, Director of Global Macro at Fidelity, breaks down why there has been such choppy trading in the markets.
Timmer says the two years leading up to the correction were unusually quiet due to the markets firing on all cylinders. Last August was a pivotal moment for markets because the chances of corporate tax cuts spiked. Timmer says another factor was the bond market because it was way too complacent about the possibility of rate hikes.
The VIX index, which serves as a "fear gauge" in markets, spiked in recent weeks. Timmer places the blame on hedge funds and traders who were short volatility. He added that the fundamentals of the economy are still relatively constructive and volatility will settle back down.
Ahead of the release of October's consumer inflation data Tuesday, you may notice changes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When it comes to how it estimates health insurance costs, the move is expected to give a boost to the U.S. inflation measure which will reverse a trend that has provided some relief.
A handful of retailers will report earnings this week, including Home Depot, Target, Walmart and Macy's, as gas prices peaked in September to the end of this latest quarter while borrowing costs remain at their highest levels in decades.
