U.S. stocks diverge: S&P up, Nasdaq down amid inflation focus.

On Tuesday (January 15), the U.S. stock market showed a mixed pattern, with the S&P 500 index rising while the Nasdaq index closed lower. Trading was volatile throughout the day as investors awaited key inflation data and major corporate earnings to assess market valuations and economic strength.

Inflation Data Boosts Initial Sentiment

The latest data from the Labor Department shows that December's Producer Price Index (PPI) increased less than expected. Although this data hasn't significantly altered the market's expectations for the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path, it provided some support to the stock market. Investors are now focused on Wednesday's upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI), which may have a greater impact on inflation expectations and the Fed's policy direction.

Chris Fasciano, Chief Market Strategist at Commonwealth Financial Network, stated, "Interest rates and the Fed policy direction remain full of uncertainty. We will closely monitor the impact of CPI data on the market."

Fed Rate Cut Expectations Gradually Fade

According to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), the market expects the Federal Reserve to cut rates by about 29 basis points by the end of 2025, but the expectation for short-term rate cuts is generally low. The data shows no likelihood exceeding 50% for a 25 basis point cut before the June meeting. Additionally, the 10-year Treasury yield remains at a high of 4.784%, near a recent 14-month peak, posing some pressure on the stock market.

Earnings Season Preview and Sector Performance

Quarterly earnings reports from major banks are set to be released on Wednesday, with market expectations for robust profits driven by acquisition and trading businesses. The S&P 500 bank index rose, and Goldman Sachs shares increased by 1.52% before the earnings report, boosting the Dow Jones to close higher.

Meanwhile, the healthcare sector performed the worst among the 11 major sectors of the S&P 500, falling by 0.94%. Eli Lilly's stock plunged 6.59% due to the company projecting lower-than-expected fourth-quarter sales for its weight-loss drug, Zepbound.

Market Pressure and Risk Outlook

Recently, U.S. stocks have struggled, with the S&P 500 index declining in four out of the last five weeks, mainly weighed down by concerns over persistent inflation, economic resilience, and Fed policy not meeting expectations. Kansas City Fed President Esther George stated that the Federal Reserve is "actively discussing" the potential economic policy impacts of the Trump administration on inflation and employment, and will take action if the economy diverges from its targets.

Additionally, market concerns about potential tariff impositions by the Trump administration exacerbating inflation pressures persist, further affecting investor sentiment. Currently, the S&P 500 index's valuation is significantly above its long-term historical average, and if earnings season underperforms expectations, the upward momentum of the stock market could face substantial challenges.

As inflation data and earnings season unfold, the market will closely watch for Fed policy signals and corporate earnings performance, which will have a profound impact on the stock market's direction.

The market carries risks, and investment should be cautious. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and has not taken into account individual users' specific investment goals, financial situations, or needs. Users should consider whether any opinions, viewpoints, or conclusions in this article are suitable for their particular circumstances. Investing based on this is at one's own responsibility.