Hot PPI, Strong Retail Sales, and a Value-Led Market Day + Verizon vs. SpaceX/Starlink
Brian Szytel recaps a volatile market day marked by value outperforming growth, dividend payers beating growth-oriented stocks, and equal-weight indices outperforming cap-weighted, alongside notable bond-market swings following hotter-than-expected CPI and a sharply higher PPI print. He reviews key economic data: initial jobless claims in line, retail sales far above expectations, and improving manufacturing readings (Philly Fed and Empire State), suggesting a strong consumer and near full employment. On inflation, headline PPI rose 1.3% m/m and core PPI 0.7% versus lower consensus forecasts, implying core PCE may run around 3.2% y/y, keeping pressure on the Fed to continue hiking, with additional hikes priced in. He argues the bond market signals concern about slowing growth rather than runaway inflation, noting low inflation break-evens and a very flat yield curve, favoring shorter-duration, income-oriented assets. In Q&A, he addresses SpaceX/Starlink’s potential impact on Verizon, emphasizing rural competition risk but highlighting existing telecom infrastructure, dividend coverage by free cash flow, and monitoring rising capex needs.
00:00 Market Whiplash Recap
02:09 Economic Data Rundown
02:40 PPI Shock And Inflation
03:45 Fed Path And Bonds
04:45 Yield Curve And Strategy
05:16 Verizon Versus Starlink
07:04 Wrap Up And Disclosures
Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com
Brian Szytel is the Co-CIO and Senior Managing Director of The Bahnsen Group.
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