HTX DeepThink columnist and HTX Research analyst Chloe notes that the one-month base case is consolidation near recent highs in U.S. equities, with scope for
$BTC and
$ETH to recover after digesting recent gains. Opportunities are expected to concentrate in assets supported by earnings delivery or observable capital inflows, assuming no material deterioration in inflation, resilient earnings expectations, and continued demand for crypto ETFs.
On the macro front, the Fed raised rates by 25 basis points to 3.75%–4% on September 16, while U.S. August CPI rose 3.4% year over year and 0.4% month over month, with core CPI up 0.3% monthly. Rate pressure remains, and the pass-through of higher oil prices into inflation is a key risk. Cooling inflation alongside stable employment would support risk appetite, whereas a sharp employment slowdown could trigger earnings downgrades that offset the benefit of lower yields.
U.S. equities retain fundamental support. FactSet projects third-quarter S&P 500 earnings growth of 28.9%, up from 26.7% expected at the end of June, with the forward P/E at 19.1, close to its ten-year average. Valuations near historical norms offer some cushion but do not make equities inexpensive in a higher-rate environment, and these estimates still await confirmation through reported results. Over the coming month, equity upside will depend increasingly on earnings delivery, and a sustained breakout would benefit from stabilizing yields. Within AI infrastructure, companies converting orders into profits and cash flow should be better positioned than those supported mainly by capex narratives.
In crypto, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw roughly $1.714 billion in net inflows on September 21–22, alongside $432 million into Ethereum ETFs. Demand has extended to ETH, but two sessions cannot establish a persistent trend. BTC's reversal from above $87,000 to below $84,000 on September 23 shows that macro shocks can still interrupt strong ETF demand. The base case is an initial consolidation before a clearer direction emerges. Positive five-session ETF flows, a sustained recovery above $87,000, and declining Treasury yields would strengthen the case for a test of $90,000, while negative five-session flows accompanied by lower price lows would invalidate the recovery thesis. ETH has identifiable flow support, but a broad altcoin advance still requires evidence of wider spot demand.
Key releases ahead include PCE on September 30, payrolls on October 2, and CPI on October 14. The October 27–28 FOMC meeting falls outside this outlook's horizon, though policy expectations will be priced in beforehand. A single positive session cannot confirm the trend, just as one negative session cannot invalidate the base case, and the outlook will evolve with inflation, corporate guidance, and capital flows.
*The above content is not an investment advice and does not constitute any offer or solicitation to offer or recommendation of any investment product.
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