Grab These 3 Large-Cap Value Funds as Consumer Sentiment Sinks

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. weakened again in September as inflation remained high and investors worried the Federal Reserve could raise rates further. The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell to a final reading of 48.1, down from 51.7 in August and marking a four-month low. While slightly above the preliminary 47.8, sentiment was still 15% lower than in January. Inflation expectations rose: consumers projected 4.6% inflation over the next 12 months, up from 4.0% in August, and the five-year outlook edged to 3.4% from 3.3%. The report links the acceleration partly to higher oil prices after the U.S.-Iran war began in late February. The Fed raised rates 25 basis points, its first increase in more than three years, and signaled another hike could come before year-end. The article then points to large-cap value mutual funds including Northern Income Equity, Vanguard Equity Income Fund, and Columbia Select Large Cap Value Fund Class A.