🤫 PPI holds steady

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Good morning investors! A lot is happening in the market so let’s cover it.

Today we cover:

• PPI holds steady

• Stocks fall again

• Ulta earnings

📊 Economy and News 

U.S. Producer Prices Hold Steady with Fewer Job Claims Amid Economic Uncertainty

U.S. producer prices remained unchanged in February, marking the first flat reading in seven months, while jobless claims declined, signaling a stable economy ahead of the Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate decision.

The PPI index was unchanged from January, and rose 3.2% for the 12 months ended in February. That marked a sharp slowdown from January, when prices rose 0.6% and 3.7% for those respective periods.

U.S. jobless claims filings fell by 2,000 to 220,000 for the week ending March 8. That’s fewer than the 226,000 new applications analysts forecast.

However, this stability faces risks from deep government spending cuts and escalating trade tensions. Thousands of federal workers have been laid off, and new tariffs—such as President Trump’s 20% duty on Chinese imports and a temporary 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods—have triggered retaliation, threatening economic confidence.

While energy prices fell 1.2%, goods prices rose 0.3%, driven by a 53.6% surge in wholesale egg prices due to a bird flu outbreak. Excluding food and energy, core goods prices jumped 0.4%. These inflationary pressures could intensify as trade conflicts escalate, raising concerns about economic growth in the coming months.

Global hits:

• BofA expects further BoC rate cuts amid US trade tensions with BCA seeing Canada’s interest rates hitting 2%, CAD stabilizing.

• Fed seen on course for June start to 2025 rate cuts after data.

• Trump threatens to put 200% tariff on French Champagne and other EU spirits.

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📈 Stocks

S&P 500 5,521.52 (-1.39%)
DJIA 40,813.57 (-1.30%)
NASDAQ 17,303.01 (-1.96%)
BRENT CRUDE 70.14 (+0.37%)
* Prices as of Mar 14th, 12:20 AM UTC

Stocks Slide as Market Turmoil Deepens Amid New Tariff Threats

Stocks tumbled on Thursday as markets continued to struggle with a three-week downturn, weighed down by fresh tariff threats from President Donald Trump.

Uncertainty surrounding Trump’s trade policies has shaken investor confidence throughout the month, raising concerns about their impact on corporate and consumer sentiment. Losses have accelerated this week, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq heading for weekly declines of 4.3% and 4.9%, respectively. The Dow has fallen about 4.7% so far, putting it on track for its worst week since June 2022.

The Nasdaq, already in correction territory before Thursday, has now dropped more than 14% from its recent peak. Meanwhile, the Russell 2000 small-cap index is nearing a bear market, down roughly 19% from its high. On Wall Street, corrections are defined as declines of 10%, while bear markets reflect losses of 20% or more.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the administration remains focused on the long-term health of the economy and markets rather than short-term volatility.

While some strategists had anticipated a technical rebound following the recent sell-off, the latest inflation data appears insufficient to drive a significant market recovery.

Correction: We’re officially in a correction. Since 1929, market corrections have typically led to an average peak-to-trough decline of 13.8%, compared to a steeper 35.6% drop during bear markets, according to the data. However, investors don't need to rush back in, as the average correction lasts around 115 days.

Interesting: Comcast expands partnership with Olympics, extends media rights through 2036. Elsewhere, Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its termination of more than 1,300 Education Department staffers.

💵 Personal Finance

The Rise of Boreout: When Work Feels Underwhelming

Feeling disinterested or irritable at work might not just be burnout—another culprit, "boreout," could be to blame.

Unlike burnout’s overload, boreout stems from feeling underwhelmed, a trend growing with remote and hybrid work.

Repetitive tasks, limited growth, unclear purpose, and reduced social interaction often contribute.

Surveys show 80% of U.S. workers prefer flexible setups, yet many cite less effective virtual meetings and isolation as downsides. With digital roles expected to rise 25% by 2030, boreout may increase.

To counter it, leaders can ease virtual meeting rules—like mandatory cameras—letting employees engage comfortably. Workers can build real connections through casual chats or shared challenges, turning monotony into motivation.

Here’s an interesting video on the topic:

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👩🏽‍⚖️ Legal Stuff
Nothing in this newsletter is financial advice. Always do your own research and think for yourself.

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