US stocks continued to rally on Monday, trading near all-time highs. Treasury bonds, on the other hand, moved down because traders braced for the start of a potentially volatile year and three anticipated Fed rate hikes.
The S&P 500 was up 0.53%, while EU stocks climbed to a record high amid low market volume. The yield on 10-year US bonds also rose 11 basis points to 1.62%.
"The outlook is positive for stocks, but the removal of stimulus/accommodation from the global economy is a major theme to watch as we start 2022," said Tom Essaye, a former Merrill Lynch trader who founded "The Sevens Report" newsletter. "It'll be the first time since 2018 that the Fed is hiking rates, and that change will impact markets throughout the year."
Among notable moves, Tesla shares climbed 12% as the company was able to overcome supply chain disruptions and reported significant fourth-quarter shipments. Apple also posted gains, raising its market value to $ 3 trillion.
In Hong Kong, property shares fell, while China Evergrande Group halted trading.
"As we flip the calendar over, many of the current market concerns are well known and arguably well priced in at both the index and more prominently at the average stock level," said Art Hogan, chief markets strategist at National Securities. "We suggest markets have done an overly efficient job in selling the rumor, and will likely start buying the news."
Other important events for this week are:
- FOMC minutes (Wednesday);
- James Bullard's discussion on US economy and monetary policy (Thursday);
- Mary Daly's speech on monetary policy (Friday).
