CNBC : S&P 500 futures are little changed ahead of key inflation report

February 28, 2025

“February is seasonally a volatile period of time for stocks, and that historical trend is playing out right now,” says Michael Landsberg, Chief Investment Officer at Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management, during his appearance on CNBC. Landsberg joined the discussion to address investor concerns around inflation, tariffs, and consumer sentiment as markets face a challenging end to the month.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Market Volatility in February: Landsberg notes that February has historically been a turbulent month for stocks, with the Nasdaq Composite leading declines, down 5.5% for the month.
  2. Concerns Over Tariffs and Inflation: Uncertainty surrounding proposed tariffs and persistently high inflation have weighed on investor sentiment. “Investors are in search of more clarity on tariffs, elevated inflation, and the state of the consumer,” he explains.
  3. Upcoming Inflation Data in Focus: Investors are closely watching January’s personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, with expectations of a 0.3% monthly increase and a 2.5% annualized rise.
  4. Declining Tech Stocks Impacting Markets: A significant selloff in major technology names has put additional pressure on equities, with Nvidia’s 8.5% drop on earnings exacerbating the downturn.
  5. Nasdaq-100 Sees Fastest 5% Decline Since 2020: The index has fallen over 7% in just six days, the sharpest drop from an all-time high since September 2020.

Landsberg emphasizes that while markets are experiencing short-term challenges, the broader economic picture will be shaped by incoming data and policy decisions. Investors are awaiting inflation reports and consumer spending data to gauge the direction of the economy.

Learn more about the discussion here: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/27/stock-market-today-live-updates.html

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