Rising Volatility Signals Caution for Investors on Wall Street
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 22 2026
0mins
Should l Buy BAC?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Volatility Index Surge: The BofA MOVE Index soared 28% on March 20 to close at 108.84, marking its highest level since April 2025, indicating increased bond yield volatility that could impact stock performance.
- Rising Inflation Expectations: The disruption in energy supply due to the Iran war is leading the market to price in higher inflation rates, which may compel the Federal Reserve to halt or reverse its easing monetary policy, putting pressure on equities.
- Historical Trend Analysis: While previous instances of the MOVE Index doubling have often preceded double-digit declines in major stock indexes, history also shows that volatility events tend to be short-lived, with bull markets generally prevailing.
- Investor Caution Advised: Investors considering the S&P 500 Index should heed the signals from the BofA MOVE Index, as short-term volatility is expected to rise, yet maintaining patience and rationality for long-term investments remains crucial.
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Analyst Views on BAC
Wall Street analysts forecast BAC stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 49.270
Low
55.00
Averages
61.64
High
71.00
Current: 49.270
Low
55.00
Averages
61.64
High
71.00
About BAC
Bank of America Corporation is a bank holding company and a financial holding company. Its segments include Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking and Global Markets. Consumer Banking segment offers a range of credit, banking and investment products and services to consumers and small businesses. The GWIM includes two businesses: Merrill Wealth Management, which provides tailored solutions to meet clients' needs through a full set of investment management, brokerage, banking and retirement products and Bank of America Private Bank, which provides comprehensive wealth management solutions. Global Banking segment provides a range of lending-related products and services, integrated working capital management and treasury solutions, and underwriting and advisory services. Global Markets segment offers sales and trading services and research services to institutional clients across fixed-income, credit, currency, commodity, and equity businesses.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Investigation's Impact on Nomination: Senator Thom Tillis has stated he will not vote to confirm Warsh until the investigation is resolved, indicating a conflict between Trump's push for the nomination and the need to maintain the Fed's independence.
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- Uncertain Donation Commitment: Buffett mentioned he will “wait and see what unfolds” regarding his donations, leaving the foundation's financial future uncertain and potentially jeopardizing its charitable initiatives.
- Concerns for the Future: Buffett expressed worries about the Gates Foundation's future, emphasizing the need for clarity on the situation, which may lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of charitable organizations.
See More
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- Oil Price Volatility: Despite an 11.4% surge in oil prices on Thursday, the stock market still rallied, indicating a new understanding of the inverse relationship between oil prices and stocks, which may signal increased investor confidence for the future.
- Strong Employment Data: The U.S. March jobs report revealed an addition of 178,000 jobs, significantly surpassing the Dow Jones estimate of 59,000, suggesting a healthy labor market that could alleviate concerns about stagflation driven by rising oil prices.
- IPO Surge: SpaceX confidentially filed for an IPO, potentially valued at $1.75 trillion, while OpenAI and other startups are also considering going public, which could bring new capital inflows and investment opportunities to the market.
See More
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- Production Recovery: New CEO Kelly Ortberg has ramped up 737 MAX production to 42 units per month, with plans to increase to 47 by mid-year, indicating positive efforts in restoring production capacity.
- Increased Financial Pressure: CFO Jesus Malave confirmed that the integration of Spirit has delayed the return to positive margins in the commercial airplanes segment until 2027, with this year expected to see negative margins around 7.5% to 8%.
- Delivery Delay Risks: Certification delays for the 737 MAX-7 and MAX-10 pushed to 2026, along with lighter-than-expected deliveries of the 787, highlight ongoing pressures in Boeing's production scheduling and quality control.
See More
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- Safety and Certification Issues: Boeing continues to face ongoing safety and certification challenges with its 737 MAX series, leading to investor concerns about its safety record, particularly after high-profile crashes, which have significantly impacted the company's cash flow.
- Management Changes and Integration: The appointment of new CEO Kelly Ortberg has brought operational improvements, with Boeing currently producing 42 737 MAX aircraft per month and planning to ramp up to 47 by mid-year, indicating positive adjustments in production capacity.
- Profitability Delays and Market Reaction: Despite the new production line opening in Everett, the integration delays with Spirit mean that profitability in the commercial airplanes segment is expected to be delayed until 2026-2027, leading investors to adopt a cautiously optimistic outlook.
- FAA Regulatory Pressure: Ongoing pressure from the FAA due to production restrictions and quality control issues means that investors are looking for progress on 737 MAX and 787 certifications by 2026 before feeling confident in investing in the stock.
See More
