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Stock Market Risks in the Spotlight
在2021年3月, the widening availability of COVID-19 vaccinations, signs of improving economic conditions, 和第三个, $1.9 trillion stimulus package brought about more optimistic growth projections. Even though a healthy economy could be good news for many businesses and the financial markets, rising inflation expectations caused a multi-week sell-off in U.S. government bonds that pushed up longer-term yields and sent the Nasdaq Composite Index into correction territory on March 8, 2021.1
有希望的病人方法, the Federal Reserve stated that it would not raise interest rates until the labor market fully recovers and inflation moderately exceeds the 2% target for some time.2 But some investors worry that sharply higher inflation could force policymakers to boost rates sooner than originally expected.
Here’s a closer look at some specific types of pg电子 risk that could influence individual stock prices and/or cause broader market swings during the second half of 2021.
Inflation and Interest-Rate Fears
Inflation and interest rates are two different but closely related pg电子 risks. The Federal Reserve is tasked with fostering full employment and controlling inflation. One way it balances these two goals is by lowering interest rates to stimulate business activity or raising rates to help slow inflation when the economy is heating up too fast.
High inflation erodes the value of pg电子 returns, 但当利率上升时, bond values fall (and vice versa). These risks are obvious considerations for bond owners, but they also impact stocks. 当货物, 服务, 信贷成本更高, consumers have less purchasing power, which can hurt company earnings and stock prices as well.
Rising bond yields might continue to have a negative effect on stock values, 因为当他们向上移动, borrowing costs for most businesses also rise, 降低了利润. Higher yields could also entice risk-averse investors to sell their stocks and buy more stable bonds instead.
你的比例.S. 持有股票的家庭*
*Directly or indirectly through pg电子 vehicles
Source: Investment Company Institute, 2021 (data from Federal Reserve Board Survey of Consumer Finances)
Legislative or Regulatory Impacts
Some government actions (such as antitrust lawsuits, 更高的税收, and more stringent regulations or standards) make it more difficult and expensive for companies to do business, which can adversely affect their earnings and stock prices. 另一方面, government subsidies and tariffs on foreign products can provide competitive advantages.
美国司法部, 联邦贸易委员会, and numerous states are in the midst of antitrust lawsuits or major investigations into the business practices of several market-dominating tech companies.3 在另一个例子, the Securities and Exchange Commission is considering new standards for corporate disclosures related to environmental, 社会, 和治理风险.4
Event or Headline-Driven Volatility
Headline risk refers to the possibility that events reported in the media could hurt a company’s reputation and/or earnings prospects. Troubling news can cause market backlash against a specific company or an entire industry. Companies try to manage this risk through public relations campaigns and other efforts to generate positive news that leaves a good impression on consumers. Events that threaten to disrupt business activity nationwide, 区域, or around the world can cause sudden stock market declines.
The market responds to news, good or bad, almost every day. 因为这个原因, your portfolio should be designed to weather a range of market conditions and have a risk profile that reflects your ability to endure periods of market volatility, both financially and emotionally.
The principal value of bonds may fluctuate with changes in interest rates and market conditions. Bonds redeemed prior to maturity may be worth more or less than their original cost. The return and principal value of stocks fluctuate with changes in market conditions. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Investments seeking to achieve higher yields also involve a higher degree of risk.