The market just got another reason to stay on edge.
August Nonfarm Payrolls came in strong at 162K, while today’s CPI showed inflation still running at 3.4% YoY, with Core CPI at 2.4%. The Fed’s 2% inflation target is still not within easy reach.
So here’s the big question: Hike or Hold?
My view: the data is giving the hawkish side more ammunition. A stronger labor market + sticky inflation could make it harder for the Fed to justify staying comfortably on hold.
But markets can move fast—and sometimes the obvious trade becomes the dangerous one.
📈 Bullish: If markets look beyond the hike and focus on economic resilience, stocks could continue pushing higher.
🥇 Gold: If inflation remains sticky and uncertainty increases, gold could remain firmly on traders’ radar.
📉 Bearish risk: A stronger-than-expected tightening signal could pressure risk assets and create another volatility wave.
The Fed meeting is approaching. The question isn’t just “Hike or Hold?”