Bond

The stock market ended the week on a mixed note, with the Nasdaq eking out a slight gain while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated. Investors grappled with the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates and revised economic projections indicating slower GDP growth and elevated inflation for 2024.

Wall Street is increasingly concerned about a potential recession, with indicators such as rising recession expectations, struggling households, and declining corporate outlooks pointing towards an impending economic downturn. The growing chorus of warnings suggests that a recession may be closer than many anticipate.

Danny Moses, renowned for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, warns that recent federal job cuts could negatively impact the economy. He highlights concerns about the cuts' effect on government contracts, small businesses, and the job market, creating an "unvirtuous cycle" with potential long-term consequences.

Japan's trade surplus returned in February 2024, driven by strong export growth and despite concerns over President Donald Trump's potential auto tariffs. The Bank of Japan maintained its benchmark interest rate at 0.5%, acknowledging uncertainty in the global economic outlook due to Trump's policies.

The US stock market experienced a volatile Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite gaining ground while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell. The market's performance was influenced by a combination of factors, including an encouraging inflation report and ongoing concerns about President Donald Trump's trade war.