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How did the U.S. and Global Economy fare in Q1?

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April Spring was in the air, in some parts of the country. Rains brought wildflower blooms to some areas. In the major money centers of the world, any banking crisis appears contained -- for the time being. There seems to be a dual focus from investors. With the turn of a month, and the end of Q1, it is time to look at how the real U.S. and global economy is faring. Another focus is on the Q1 earnings season. For all of this we turn to our Chief Equity Strategist and Economist, John Blank.

1. After weeks of worry about the banking sector, recent economic data has investors shifting their focus, at least with one eye, back to the macro economic picture. What does that picture look like to you now?

2. Everyone, I think, wants to know whether the Federal Reserve’s barrage of rate increases is cooling the economy. Have they?

3. What about the bond market? If banking tension continues to recede? There should be sentiment for long-term U.S. Treasury yields to rise, and the U.S. dollar to regain safe haven ground. But data shows that views on the likely trajectory of rates have once again diverged. What’s up with that?

4. You wrote in a recent commentary that conviction is now building among investors and central bankers that banking stress and a potential follow-on credit crunch make a hard landing for the world's largest economy more likely. How likely is it that that happens this year?

5. Now enter the Q1 2023 earnings season that investors will be focused on with their other eye. So far it looks to be off to a solid start. How do you feel about it so far?

6. Wall Street has been worried about an earnings recession amid expectations of a second straight quarter of corporate profit decline. What’s the likelihood of that?

7. Would that derail the current stock market rally?

8. Will Big Tech continue to be a market leading sector for most of this year?

9. Speaking of tech stocks, here are three large cap tech stocks with a Zacks B rating for growth. Infineon Technologies AG (IFNNY - Free Report) , Sea Limited ADRs (SE - Free Report) and STMicroelectronics NV (STM - Free Report) .

Our Chief Equity Strategist & Economist, John Blank, taking a look at the big economic and earnings picture. With John, I’m Terry Ruffolo.


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