
Rising interest rates may spur stock market volatility and hobble some sectors while boosting others. Financial stocks and consumer discretionary stocks have the ability to perform well when interest rates rise, but this doesn't mean investors should eliminate growth names.
What happens to stocks when interest rates rise?
Bank stocks: When interest rates rise, banks tend to make more in earnings from the higher rates that they can charge on loans, so their stock prices may rise in anticipation.
What is the relationship between interest rates and the stock market?
Although the relationship between interest rates and the stock market is fairly indirect, the two tend to move in opposite directions. As a general rule of thumb, when the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, it causes the stock market to go up; when the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, it causes the stock market to go down.
Why do bonds go up when interest rates fall?
As interest rates fall, it becomes easier to borrow money, causing many companies to issue new bonds to finance new ventures. This will cause the demand for higher-yielding bonds to increase, forcing bond prices higher. Issuers of callable bonds may choose to refinance by calling their existing bonds so they can lock in a lower interest rate.
How does the FED rate affect the stock market?
Key Takeaways. When the Fed increases its discount rate, it has a ripple effect in the economy, indirectly affecting the stock market. Investors should keep in mind that the stock market's reaction to interest rates is generally immediate, whereas the economy takes about 12 months to see any widespread effect.

How will interest rates affect the stock market?
As a general rule of thumb, when the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, it causes the stock market to go up; when the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, it causes the stock market to go down.
Will stocks fall if interest rates rise?
Unlike bond prices, which tend to go down when yields go up, stock prices might rise or fall with changes in interest rates. For stocks, it can go either way because a stock's price depends on both future cash flows to investors and the discount rate they apply to those expected cash flows.
Why Do stocks go down if interest rates rise?
When interest rates are rising, both businesses and consumers will cut back on spending. This will cause earnings to fall and stock prices to drop. On the other hand, when interest rates have fallen significantly, consumers and businesses will increase spending, causing stock prices to rise.
What should I invest in when interest rates go up?
Invest in Banks and Brokerage Firms. Banks and brokerage firms earn money from interest. ... Invest in Cash-Rich Companies. ... Lock in Low Rates. ... Buy With Financing. ... Invest in Technology, Health Care. ... Embrace Short-Term or Floating Rate Bonds. ... Invest in Payroll Processing Companies. ... Sell Assets.More items...
What is the relationship between stock prices and interest rates?
Based on historical observation, stock prices and interest rates have generally had an inverse relationship. Said plainly, as interest rates move higher, stock prices tend to move lower.
How are stocks affected by interest rates?
There are two main ways in which stocks are affected by interest rates: directly and indirectly. Here is a summary of how businesses, and therefore stocks, are affected by changes to interest rates: 1. Businesses are directly affected by bank rates because they affect the amount a company can afford to borrow. ...
What happens to stock prices when interest rates decrease?
When interest rates decrease, it’s cheaper for companies to borrow capital with the aim of achieving growth, and this may encourage stock prices to rise. 2.
Why are stocks attractive when interest rates fall?
It may seem easier to find attractive stocks when interest rates fall because lower rates can lead to higher disposable income in an economy, along with potentially lower borrowing costs for companies. Some stocks that may embark on an bullish theme around these scenarios include:
Why is volatility important?
Remember that volatility creates opportunity, but it also heightens risk, so it’s important that traders adhere closely to their risk management strategies and trading plan. This may help in the effort of mitigating losses when trading interest rate sensitive stocks, or volatile markets, around rate decisions.
Why do central banks have volatility?
When central banks are due to announce changes in interest rates, this in and of itself can cause volatility around the markets. As mentioned previously, the stock market is quick to react to changes in interest rates, so traders will often be making their projections ahead of major central bank announcements.
Why is borrowing more expensive?
Borrowing becomes more expensive and there is more incentive to save money, so people may be encouraged to spend less. Lower interest rates may boost economic growth. Borrowing becomes cheaper and there is less incentive to save money, so people may be encouraged to spend or invest.
How long does it take for the stock market to catch up to interest rate changes?
The stock market often reacts quickly to interest rate changes – certainly more quickly than many other areas of the economy, which may take up to 12 months to catch up. This can mean many opportunities for traders who analyze stock markets, both when buying and holding or employing a shorter-term speculative approach.
What happens when interest rates go up?
When Interest Rates Go Up. When the U.S. Federal Reserve raises the federal funds rate, the cost of borrowing goes up too, and this increase starts a series of cascading effects. In essence, banks raise their interest rates for consumers and businesses, and it costs more to buy a home or finance a company. In turn, the economy slows down as people ...
What happens when interest rates increase too quickly?
When interest rates increase too quickly, it can cause a chain reaction that affects the domestic economy as well as the global economy. It can create a recession in some cases.
What happens if the economy goes too low?
Economic theory suggests that there is a balance between interest rates, unemployment, and inflation—if rates go too low, the economy can pick up but overheat leading to rising prices. If rates rise too quickly, by the same token, borrowing becomes more expensive and the economy can grind to a halt. More recent thinking by central bankers has led ...
How much inflation should be kept per year?
The goal is to keep inflation around 2% per year for personal consumption expenditures, but it requires a careful balance. Former Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen (now U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President Biden) has recently said that increasing interest rates too quickly often carries more risks than leaving them ...
What would happen if the Fed increased interest rates too quickly?
The economy would become strained and fall into a recession. Moreover, the effect of interest rates going up would not only be felt in the U.S.
What would happen if companies were hit with higher borrowing costs?
Companies would suddenly and unexpectedly be hit with higher borrowing costs. This would hurt earnings, increase their cost of capital, and dampen investment. Similarly, investors would see their net worth plunge if they’re invested in bonds.
Is a very rapid move good?
As with all drivers of financial assets, a very rapid move is generally not a good thing. The markets are interconnected, so if one input changes too quickly, it dislocates other areas. For example, if interest rates were to rise very quickly, it would yield dramatic, negative effects on bond prices, currencies, and effectively stunt growth in the real economy. Companies would suddenly and unexpectedly be hit with higher borrowing costs. This would hurt earnings, increase their cost of capital, and dampen investment.
What happens if the 10-year yield is 2.5%?
If the 10-year yield does indeed breach 2.5% for a sustainable period of time, it’s logical to conclude that a pullback in stocks or larger than normal volatility may ensue as the stock market tries to adjust to what higher rates mean for earnings.
When did Sam start investing?
Sam began investing his own money ever since he opened an online brokerage account in 1995. Sam loved investing so much that he decided to make a career out of investing by spending the next 13 years after college working at two of the leading financial service firms in the world.
Is the stock market recovering from the 2009 crash?
Further, the stock market has recovered so far since the 2009 crash. As we come out of the pandemic, demand for everything is surging in the economy. Therefore, inflation is also rising. It is an inevitability interest rates will rise.
