Inventory strategists say there is a good likelihood for a Santa Claus rally subsequent month, however the market will not be handing out many presents to buyers within the first a part of subsequent yr. Some strategists see a bottoming for shares within the first a part of 2023, however others say the important thing indexes might keep away from breaking right down to a brand new low however stay risky. The S & P 500 rose again above 4,000 Tuesday and was holding above that degree on Wednesday. Its current intraday low of three,491.58 was set on Oct. 13. “Most strategists are calling for 4,100, 4,150. However they’re additionally calling for brand new lows within the first quarter,” mentioned Scott Redler, chief strategic officer of T3Live.com. Redler follows short-term technicals, and he mentioned the market might run into weak point round earnings within the first quarter, after a fourth-quarter Santa rally. “I feel the Fed does cease elevating charges within the first quarter, but it surely has to depart them there for a complete yr. That is why the subsequent yr might be so unhealthy for shares,” he mentioned. The Federal Reserve is anticipated to lift its fed funds goal price by a half level in December and enhance it once more till it reaches 5%. “Till issues break, they must stick with it there,” mentioned Redler. He mentioned one factor that might break, can be if there was a giant inventory market sell-off that may concern the central financial institution. The fed funds price vary is at present 3.75% to 4%. Recession warning? Sam Stovall, chief funding strategist at CFRA Analysis, mentioned there’s a excessive degree of uncertainty about whether or not a recession is coming within the first a part of 2023. For that purpose, the outlook for shares can also be unclear. “I do not know. That is the priority that I’ve,” he mentioned. “I feel the Fed goes to be ending its rate-tightening coverage pretty quickly … within the first quarter of subsequent yr. I feel the Fed would possibly find yourself decreasing charges by the tip of the yr. However with the yield unfold being as extensive as it’s, it makes you say a recession is coming, and I query whether or not the market is predicting accurately a recession.” Stovall was referring to the steep inversion of the Treasury yield curve, that means that short-end charges, just like the 2-year Treasury yield, are effectively above the long term, just like the 10-year. That’s seen as a recession warning. With the 10-year at about 3.73% Wednesday, that so-called inversion was greater than 75 foundation factors. A foundation level equals 0.01 of a share level. Financial institution of America strategists cite that inversion, and expectations for a light recession subsequent yr, as a purpose behind their unfavourable name on shares for the primary half. “We keep bearish danger belongings in H1, seemingly flip bullish H2; market narrative to shift from Inflation and charges ‘shocks’ of ’22 to recession and credit score ‘shocks’ in H1 ’23,” they wrote in a notice. Following that, they anticipate the bullish peaks of inflation, fed funds, bond yields and the greenback to take maintain within the second half and probably set off a brand new bull market. Discovering a method to outlive Stovall mentioned the earnings outlook is already unfavourable. He mentioned analysts forecast a decline in S & P 500 earnings for the fourth quarter, adopted by extra uneven weak point within the first half after which increased progress within the second half. I/B/E/S knowledge for Refinitiv has a forecast of a 0.4% fourth-quarter decline in S & P 500 earnings. “We’re involved by way of earnings, but it surely’s not just like the double-digit declines we noticed in 2020 or ’08 when it was down 32% yr over yr,” Stovall mentioned. Stovall mentioned there was no massive promoting crescendo within the present bear market. “We didn’t get the capitulation we usually get in bear markets. Nevertheless, we might sidestep that capitulation if this bear market is simply 25%,” he mentioned. “If it finally ends up being deeper, we’ll get that capitulation.” Stovall mentioned buyers have to discover a technique to climate the primary half. Greenback-cost averaging, as an example, entails investing a set sum of money in common intervals over time, no matter costs. “As a result of the primary half is so unsure, it is most likely a greater interval to dollar-cost common in. A dollar-cost common first half with an anticipated restoration within the second half,” he mentioned.