Recent inflation reports released this month have brought positive news, with the CPI dropping from 6% to 5%. While inflation still remains higher than the targeted rate, rates coming down will hopefully keep consumer optimism high, and an uptick in demand from many markets as the year goes on. It is worth noting that although the rate of inflation has tailed off, it remains higher than the Fed would like, and dropping rates of inflation doesn’t mean prices are dropping for goods, only that the rate of the increases are lessening. Various corporate earnings reports are expected to have a further impact on the market in mid-April.

Shipping Rates Drop, Low Q4 Inventories Expected
Ocean shipping rates from China to the U.S. have fallen sharply—down as much as 68% since June—as importers take a more cautious approach in response