Stock investors are bracing themselves for what may be a volatile month of trading in September. While typically a muted month, September could see fluctuations depending on the readings of the upcoming Federal Reserve policy meeting, key economic data reports, and concerns over a potential governmental shutdown.
The S&P 500 retreated by over 4% from its July 31 peak after weakness in China’s economy and a surge in Treasury yields made equities less attractive. Jack Janasiewicz, portfolio manager and lead portfolio strategist at Natixis Investment Manager Solutions, emphasized that “coming up on a number of key inflection points at a time when the market is still on edge given the rise in rates.”
Consumer price data is due to be released on September 13 while the Federal Reserve is set to convene on September 20. An ongoing feud in the U.S. House of Representatives over spending cuts is threatening a fourth government shutdown in a decade if an agreement is not reached by September 30.