Equity markets rallied on Thursday on stronger-than-expected retail sales. Retail sales accelerated to 0.6% MoM from the prior read and suggest continued resilience in the US economy. Likewise, the latest read on the Fed's GDP shows US GDP advancing nearly 5.0% in Q3, a double-edged sword for the market. With CPI hot, PPI hot, and oil prices up, it's hard not to think the gains are underpinned by higher prices rather than actual demand. This means an increasing chance for additional FOMC interest rate hikes and another nail in this market's coffin.

The S&P 500 increased nearly 1.0% on Thursday's news, but there is a significant hurdle overhead. The market moved higher but is still below the critical 4,545 level, which could provide stiff resistance. The next major catalyst is the FOMC meeting next week; if the market confirms resistance at that level following the policy announcement, a significant correction will likely follow.