Stocks slipped again Thursday as investors braced for more interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, and the volatility is once again stirring up debates over whether the U.S. economy is headed for a recession.
"Our view right now is that for the next six months the U.S. economy should be okay," said Ahmed Riesgo, chief investment officer for financial services company Insigneo.
He said the strength of the January jobs report has put downward pressure on stocks because it showed resilience in the economy that many investors interpreted as a sign that more rate hikes were coming. Recent reports showing "sticky" inflation have had a similar effect.
These trends increase the odds of a recession, he added, because the uncertainty around inflation makes it more likely the Fed will make a policy mistake.
"Our base case is not a recession," he said. "But when you look a little bit further out over a 12 month period, I think the chances of a mild recession in the United States are very elevated."
He also cited recent comments from Fed officials as evidence for this theory. The nation's top bankers have signaled they are committed to bringing inflation down to 2 percent annually, while also saying hitting that goal effectively requires inducing a recession.
Haley Sacks, founder and CEO of Finance Is Cool, joined Cheddar News to provide tips on when hiring a financial planner is needed. "They will help you figure out exactly how to maximize your personal situation," she said. "They're going to think about your long-term plans, consider your goals and incorporate all of that into the structure that they create for you."
Scott Wren, senior global market strategist with Wells Fargo Investment Institute, joined Cheddar News to discuss Monday's market trading as earnings continue to trickle in and ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting next week.
The Walt Disney Co. will be laying off several thousand employees this week, a second round of cuts that’s part of a previously announced plan to eliminate 7,000 jobs this year.
Nissan Americas Chair Jeremie Papin spoke with Cheddar News and outlined the company's strategy, specifically its future in the electric vehicle market. "We foresee potentially 40% of our sales in 2030 being EVs," he said.
