The Key Factor Spooking Investors and Sending Stocks Into Freefall
The Dow suffered its worst point drop in history, closing down over 1,000 points. Riva Gold, Markets Reporter at WSJ joined to break down the factors spooking investors.
Gold emphasized that the big scare in the market was triggered by the wage growth in the jobs report. She added that it brought worries of inflation and rates hikes back into the spotlight. Gold said the fundamental backdrop for stocks hasn’t really changed. She points to corporate earnings and credit market as indicators that the market could be in good shape.
Gold said the biggest factor dragging down market is fear of fed raising rates. She thinks it's a a wake-up call for the equity markets that inflation will accompany growth. This means corporations will have to pay employees more, which ultimately weighs on profits, Gold added.
Stocks dipped Friday morning after the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury crossed 5% for the first time in 16 years and also following Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks on Thursday.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday that inflation remains too high and that bringing it down to the Fed's target level will likely require a slower-growing economy and job market.
