The Federal Reserve finally raised interest rates. Now what?
Many market strategists have been predicting that the Fed's rate increase will be great news for bank stocks and bad for dividend-paying stocks and big multinational firms.
But that may not be the case.
Sure, higher rates should boost profit margins for banks. Many were quick to raise their Prime Rate on Wednesday to 3.5%.
And yes, the dollar is up more than 1% against a basket of other major currencies on Thursday.
Still, several experts said that the market may surprise investors over the next year. So let's bust some Wall Street myths.
Myth 1: Buy the banks
The rate hike is supposed to be welcome relief to banks, who've struggled to eke out profits on loans with rates at zero for seven years.
But bank stocks have already rallied sharply over the past few months in expectations of the rate hike. Megabanks JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Bank of America (BAC) are up more than 10% since mid-September. As are regional banks SunTrust (STI), PNC (PNC) and Fifth Third (FITB).
There may not be that much more room to rise.
"I'm wary of the banks. A lot of people have already moved in," said Eddie Perkin, manager of the Eaton Vance Focused Value Opportunities Fund.
Related: Finally! Fed raises interest rates
It's also unclear just how much banks will really benefit from rate hikes. Fed chief Janet Yellen went out of her way to stress that the pace of rate increases next year will be "gradual." Some think the Fed may only raise rates twice in 2016.
Mark Spellman, portfolio manager of the Alpine Rising Dividend Fund, is a fan of bank stocks. He thinks there is little downside. But even he concedes that they may not get that big of a boost from the Fed.
"The rate hike doesn't do much for the banks at all. It may take time for it to show up in their results," he said.
The Federal Reserve finally raised interest rates. Now what?Many market strategists have been predicting that the Fed's rate increase will be great news for bank stocks and bad for dividend-paying stocks and big multinational firms. But that may not be the case. Sure, higher rates should boost profit margins for banks. Many were quick to raise their Prime Rate on Wednesday to 3.5%. And yes, the dollar is up more than 1% against a basket of other major currencies on Thursday. Still, several experts said that the market may surprise investors over the next year. So let's bust some Wall Street myths. Myth 1: Buy the banks The rate hike is supposed to be welcome relief to banks, who've struggled to eke out profits on loans with rates at zero for seven years. But bank stocks have already rallied sharply over the past few months in expectations of the rate hike. Megabanks JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Bank of America (BAC) are up more than 10% since mid-September. As are regional banks SunTrust (STI), PNC (PNC) and Fifth Third (FITB). There may not be that much more room to rise. "I'm wary of the banks. A lot of people have already moved in," said Eddie Perkin, manager of the Eaton Vance Focused Value Opportunities Fund. Related: Finally! Fed raises interest rates It's also unclear just how much banks will really benefit from rate hikes. Fed chief Janet Yellen went out of her way to stress that the pace of rate increases next year will be "gradual." Some think the Fed may only raise rates twice in 2016. Mark Spellman, portfolio manager of the Alpine Rising Dividend Fund, is a fan of bank stocks. He thinks there is little downside. But even he concedes that they may not get that big of a boost from the Fed. "The rate hike doesn't do much for the banks at all. It may take time for it to show up in their results," he said.
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