Naive Trader

Investors sold off growth stocks ahead of big tech earnings this week, fearing the worst for the outlook on future growth. Microsoft and Google painted different pictures with their earnings reports after the market closed.

Investor sentiment changed mid-day, reversing a gap-down open into gains across all major indexes by the end of the day.

Indexes continued to dip as investors absorbed the likely 50-basis point interest rate hike coming in a few weeks.

‘s Jerome Powell has spoken and a 50 basis point interest rate hike is practically certain. The day started out well but then equities slid as Treasury yields rose.

Yields on longer-term treasuries dropped sharply today as did the US Dollar index . Growth stocks led the Nasdaq lower while the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher.

Strong earnings reports thus far in the quarter helped investor confidence in the market and push indexes higher today.

Stock indexes receded as treasury yields rose on the emerging likelihood of a recession in the next two years.

Investors found reasons to be optimistic despite soaring inflation and a hawkish Fed. Oil prices soared again, but that was not enough the dampen the mood.

We have our inflation data now as Consumer Price Indexes for March were released today. Large-cap stocks declined while small caps advanced .

cord-high inflation and more motivation for the Fed to act aggressively.