TSP Market Summary: Week of May 07, 2022

By Roy Weisert, PhD, CFP

Key Takeaways

  • Fed raised rates 0.5% causing massive market volatility with S&P 500's best day since 2020
  • TSP F and S funds hit new 52-week lows with C fund close behind, no changes recommended
  • Market may test 4000 level next week with more rate hikes expected to fight inflation

It was a bookend week for the S&P 500, gaining 0.57% on Monday and losing 0.57% on Friday, down only 8 points for the week, and closing at 4123. However, it was quite turbulent between those bookends. On Wednesday afternoon Fed Chair Powell announced that the Fed would increase its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points and would begin reducing its balance sheet in June. This resulted in the S&P 500 having its best day since 2020 and hitting an intraday high of 4307. Overnight reality set in with the S&P 500 gapping down at the open and quickly erasing all of Wednesdays gains plus some, falling 3.56% for the day. Friday was an uncomfortable day with the S&P 500 again gapping down at the open and quickly setting a new 2022 intraday low at 4062. After three wild cycles, the S&P 500 closed at the afore mentioned 4123, down for the fifth week in a row. With more rates hikes expected in order to cool rising inflation and earnings season essentially over, we may see the S&P 500 hit a new 52-week low next week and then make at test at that 4000 psychological level. For TSP TIPS, both the F and S funds hit new 52-week lows this week with the C fund close behind. As such, we are recommending no allocation changes this week. Lastly, TSP TIPS we be hosting a TSP TIPS Investment Portfolio Strategies Zoom call on 24 May 2022 at 5 p.m. EST. This 15 minute presentation will focus on the technical analysis utilized by TSP TIPS. Registration details will be forthcoming via email.