Macro Briefing: 19 April 2024

* Israel launches a retaliatory strike against Iran
* Two Fed official say there’s no “urgency” to cut interest rates
* Leading Economic Index for US declined in March
* US existing home sales fell in March
* US jobless claims steady, continue to signal strong labor market:

US inflation-indexed Treasuries “are on sale,” writes Morningstar’s John Rekenthaler and so “it’s time to buy shares of TIPS funds,” he advises. ” With real interest rates ranging from 2.3% to 2.4%, the yields on TIPS with maturity dates of 10 years or greater are unusually generous. Not only will buy-and-hold investors be rewarded, receiving meaningful ongoing payments while sheltering their assets against damage from inflation, but they may also reap capital gains.”