The hotter-than-expected inflation and employment data indicate another aggressive interest rate hike by the Fed in November. Ellen Zentner, the chief U.S. economist at Morgan Stanley, said, "The minutes reaffirmed a clear commitment to remain on an aggressive path of policy tightening and maintain that higher level for longer, even as over-tightening risks are coming into view."
Consequently, market volatility is rife, as is evident from the CBOE Volatility Index's 78.4% year-to-date gains. However, dividend stocks are gaining investor attention amid widespread uncertainties. Jack Ablin, the chief investment officer of Cresset Capital, said, "Now that monetary policy is tightening, dividends are taking center stage again."
