As 2024 has progressed, economic data--especially inflation data--have made it increasingly clear that rates will not be coming down nearly as soon as the Fed (and the market) expected. Rates are driven by multiple factors. At present, inflation is chief among those, followed by the economy. In general, higher inflation and economic strength coincide with higher rates. Inflation and economic data evolved in such a way as to offer some light at the end of the high rate tunnel at the end of 2023. Even the Fed acknowledged the shift by lowering its 2024 r...
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