With the steady stream of optimistic economic data, the stock market achieved a strong start this year. Despite widespread concern that the economy might be on the brink of a recession, the market closed off the first month with healthy gains. Equity markets moved away from their lows while fears of inevitable recession have been replaced by optimism about avoiding one.
The recent inflation data suggested that Federal Reserve policy measures are starting to cool off skyrocketing price gains, while a stronger-than-expected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reading reflects that the U.S. economy remains on solid footing and could have a soft landing.
