Investors were in a sell-the-news mood this week. Just the whiff of bad news sent many stocks sharply lower. And, as you’ll see, the MarketBeat analysts were quick to dissect the news and how it affects investors.
To be fair, some of the news was more than just noise. But the common thread is that, with stocks priced for perfection, companies can’t give investors any reason to get nervous. Because if consumers get a reason to sell, stock prices can drop sharply.
If investors are looking for relief from this volatility, they may have to wait until March. Several large retailers report next week. Any misses or weak guidance could send stocks lower. And on Friday, investors will get the latest reading on inflation. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index will come out on Friday and the number is likely to confirm that inflation will remain an issue for consumers.