Heading into last weekend, financial markets were eagerly waiting for the results of the French election as well as more info on the Trump administration’s tax reform plan. While the market reaction wasn’t much of a surprise, it leaves us in an uncertain position heading into next week’s Fed announcement.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Politics and Policy Put Markets Back on The Fence

In last week’s newsletter, we discussed a series of wild cards hitting the table and the resulting impact on financial markets. Specifically, the potential reversal of post-election optimism helped interest rates break below 2017’s narrow range. But that was just one small example of much bigger uncertainty. Sooner or later, markets will have to decide what’s most important and trade accordingly.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
For Markets, Political Spotlight Shifts From US to Europe

After spending nearly 6 months in the same narrow range, interest rates finally made a move LOWER this week, much to the chagrin of the prevailing narrative calling for “higher rates in 2017.” At the same time, stock prices have been in their most persistent downtrend since the election. All this has investors wondering if the “Trump trade” is beginning to unravel.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Rates Hit 2017 Lows as Wild Cards Hit The Table

Even before it began, this week was destined to be interesting, if not downright important, due to the data and events on the calendar. The scheduled events were joined by unexpected headlines, making for even more market volatility. By Friday, just when the stars seemed to align for rates to break below 2017’s constrictive range, they shot paradoxically higher! Why would they do such a thing?
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Making Sense of This Week's Crazy Market Movement