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A Dozen Reasons To Remain Bullish In 2024
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The bears who still expect a recession base their arguments on historical precedents: At times in the past when economic indicators were flashing the signs they are today, recessions occurred. But we see good reasons not to apply past rules of thumb to the current set of circumstances. Moreover, our Roaring 2020s thesis that widespread adoption of new technologies will set off a productivity boom is unfolding. As a result, we’re bullish on the outlook for the US economy and stock market. Today, we present the bears’ talking points and our rebuttals, including 12 good reasons for optimism as we enter 2024. … Also: Dr. Ed reviews “Archie” (+ +).
A Dozen Reasons To Remain Bullish In 2024
The bears who still expect a recession base their arguments on historical precedents: At times in the past when economic indicators were flashing the signs they are today, recessions occurred. But we see good reasons not to apply past rules of thumb to the current set of circumstances. Moreover, our Roaring 2020s thesis that widespread adoption of new technologies will set off a productivity boom is unfolding. As a result, we’re bullish on the outlook for the US economy and stock market. Today, we present the bears’ talking points and our rebuttals, including 12 good reasons for optimism as we enter 2024. … Also: Dr. Ed reviews “Archie” (+ +).
Drugs, China & AI
The S&P 500 sector with the brightest 2024 earnings growth outlook is none other than Health Care, with a share price index that’s a deep underperformer this year, Jackie reports. One of its component industries accounts for much of both this year’s stock price pain and next year’s projected earnings gains—pharmaceuticals. Three drug makers in particular appear bound for standout earnings next year. … Also: China’s government is not doing what it takes to overcome its formidable economic challenges. … And in today’s Disruptive Technologies segment: one tech veteran’s advice for working with AI, warts and all.
Drugs, China & AI
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The S&P 500 sector with the brightest 2024 earnings growth outlook is none other than Health Care, with a share price index that’s a deep underperformer this year, Jackie reports. One of its component industries accounts for much of both this year’s stock price pain and next year’s projected earnings gains—pharmaceuticals. Three drug makers in particular appear bound for standout earnings next year. … Also: China’s government is not doing what it takes to overcome its formidable economic challenges. … And in today’s Disruptive Technologies segment: one tech veteran’s advice for working with AI, warts and all.
Earnings: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: S&P 500 companies collectively outperformed industry analysts’ Q3 expectations, posting record-high revenues and earnings per share. The profit margin was the highest in four quarters, suggesting that the cost-push inflation pressures that had weighed on margins are easing. … Analysts’ consensus estimates for 2024 and 2025 suggest accelerating growth for both revenues and earnings and rising profit margins. … The earnings outlook together with our projected valuation ranges result in our price targets for the S&P 500 of 4600 by the end of this year, 5400 by the end of next, and 6000 by year-end 2025.
Earnings: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
S&P 500 companies collectively outperformed industry analysts’ Q3 expectations, posting record-high revenues and earnings per share. The profit margin was the highest in four quarters, suggesting that the cost-push inflation pressures that had weighed on margins are easing. … Analysts’ consensus estimates for 2024 and 2025 suggest accelerating growth for both revenues and earnings and rising profit margins. … The earnings outlook together with our projected valuation ranges result in our price targets for the S&P 500 of 4600 by the end of this year, 5400 by the end of next, and 6000 by year-end 2025.
Global Economy Still In A Funk
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Recent global indicators show economic growth at a crawl, commodity prices remaining weak, and inflation moderating. Weighing on the pace of growth have been recessions in China and Europe. China’s economic malaise is secular in nature and likely to last for a while given the challenges facing that country. But we expect the ECB to ease in the spring as inflation moderates, and the Eurozone’s shallow recession to lift. US economic growth has been slowing from Q3’s rapid pace, but a comeback in productivity growth could recharge it. … We continue to advise overweighting US stocks in global equity portfolios.
Global Economy Still In A Funk
Recent global indicators show economic growth at a crawl, commodity prices remaining weak, and inflation moderating. Weighing on the pace of growth have been recessions in China and Europe. China’s economic malaise is secular in nature and likely to last for a while given the challenges facing that country. But we expect the ECB to ease in the spring as inflation moderates, and the Eurozone’s shallow recession to lift. US economic growth has been slowing from Q3’s rapid pace, but a comeback in productivity growth could recharge it. … We continue to advise overweighting US stocks in global equity portfolios.
Hard Luck For Hard Landers
The economy has proven resilient, defying all the reasons it shouldn’t be, to which diehard hard landers still cling. We expect that it will remain resilient and that inflation will continue to fall to the Fed’s target (a.k.a. “immaculate disinflation”). In this scenario, the Fed won’t be rushing to ease and won’t ease by much. The Fed’s policy stance is perhaps better cast as “normalizing” than tightening that requires undoing. … Labor market supply and demand are coming into better balance, as the Fed would like, though November employment data attest to the labor market’s continued strength. … Also: What to make of the fact that GDI is weaker than GDP. … And: Dr. Ed reviews “Reptile” (+).
Hard Luck For Hard Landers
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The economy has proven resilient, defying all the reasons it shouldn’t be, to which diehard hard landers still cling. We expect that it will remain resilient and that inflation will continue to fall to the Fed’s target (a.k.a. “immaculate disinflation”). In this scenario, the Fed won’t be rushing to ease and won’t ease by much. The Fed’s policy stance is perhaps better cast as “normalizing” than tightening that requires undoing. … Labor market supply and demand are coming into better balance, as the Fed would like, though November employment data attest to the labor market’s continued strength. … Also: What to make of the fact that GDI is weaker than GDP. … And: Dr. Ed reviews “Reptile” (+).
Onshoring, Acquisitions & Octopus
Federal incentives promoting the onshoring of manufacturing plants have certainly hit their mark in Arizona and New York. Both states are sprouting new regional semiconductor manufacturing ecosystems, Jackie reports, dramatically boosting local economic development. … Also: Financial firms with investment banking operations report a pickup in M&A, a trend that should only accelerate when the interest-rate environment stabilizes. … And our Disruptive Technologies focus today is on Octopus Energy, a British company with an innovative business model that rewards green electricity consumption.
Onshoring, Acquisitions & Octopus
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Federal incentives promoting the onshoring of manufacturing plants have certainly hit their mark in Arizona and New York. Both states are sprouting new regional semiconductor manufacturing ecosystems, Jackie reports, dramatically boosting local economic development. … Also: Financial firms with investment banking operations report a pickup in M&A, a trend that should only accelerate when the interest-rate environment stabilizes. … And our Disruptive Technologies focus today is on Octopus Energy, a British company with an innovative business model that rewards green electricity consumption.
Over There & Over Here
Europe’s economic outlook is brightening, Melissa reports, perhaps presenting investment opportunities. The ECB’s monetary tightening has corralled inflation but also trampled GDP growth; this spring may bring monetary easing that enables revived growth. … Earlier fears of inadequate energy supplies for winter now appear ill-founded. … However, challenges remain in the form of higher energy costs and discord among EU nations over fiscal rules. … Also: Joe notes that the stock market’s post-October 27 rally has taken a turn for the broader since November 13, with more sectors participating in gains and the S&P 500 Value and Equal Weight indexes way outperforming their counterparts.
Over There & Over Here
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Europe’s economic outlook is brightening, Melissa reports, perhaps presenting investment opportunities. The ECB’s monetary tightening has corralled inflation but also trampled GDP growth; this spring may bring monetary easing that enables revived growth. … Earlier fears of inadequate energy supplies for winter now appear ill-founded. … However, challenges remain in the form of higher energy costs and discord among EU nations over fiscal rules. … Also: Joe notes that the stock market’s post-October 27 rally has taken a turn for the broader since November 13, with more sectors participating in gains and the S&P 500 Value and Equal Weight indexes way outperforming their counterparts.
A Remarkably Resilient Economy
Interest rates have been ascending and the tight labor market has been a problem for companies this year and last, but the US economy has been robust regardless. Today, we look at what accounts for its unusual resilience. … Hoisting the economy has been strength in the construction industry, especially multi-family, home improvement, and nonresidential building. … Also contributing to the economy’s resilience has been US corporations’ awesome cash generating capability. … And good news for next year: Signs are mounting that the rolling recession in the goods producing sector of the economy is bottoming and should give way to a rolling recovery in 2024.
A Remarkably Resilient Economy
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Interest rates have been ascending and the tight labor market has been a problem for companies this year and last, but the US economy has been robust regardless. Today, we look at what accounts for its unusual resilience. … Hoisting the economy has been strength in the construction industry, especially multi-family, home improvement, and nonresidential building. … Also contributing to the economy’s resilience has been US corporations’ awesome cash generating capability. … And good news for next year: Signs are mounting that the rolling recession in the goods producing sector of the economy is bottoming and should give way to a rolling recovery in 2024.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
The stock market’s Santa Claus rally has been turbocharged by a rallying bond market, subsiding inflation, lower oil and gasoline prices—in turn fueling consumers’ purchasing power—diminished fear of the Fed, and China’s economic weakness, which lowers the prices Americans pay for goods imported from there. … Jamie Dimon is right to warn that geopolitical dangers are great, but we don’t ascribe to his view that inflation remains troublesome, the Fed might tighten more, and the consumer’s strength likely isn’t sustainable. We think the economic evidence suggest otherwise on each score. … More good news: The sticky services inflation rates that have concerned the Fed are coming unstuck. ... Dr. Ed’s movie review: “The Holdovers” (+).
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The stock market’s Santa Claus rally has been turbocharged by a rallying bond market, subsiding inflation, lower oil and gasoline prices—in turn fueling consumers’ purchasing power—diminished fear of the Fed, and China’s economic weakness, which lowers the prices Americans pay for goods imported from there. … Jamie Dimon is right to warn that geopolitical dangers are great, but we don’t ascribe to his view that inflation remains troublesome, the Fed might tighten more, and the consumer’s strength likely isn’t sustainable. We think the economic evidence suggest otherwise on each score. … More good news: The sticky services inflation rates that have concerned the Fed are coming unstuck. ... Dr. Ed’s movie review: “The Holdovers” (+).
MegaCap-8, AI & Gates On Climate Change
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The MegaCap-8 stocks are approaching their highest collective market capitalization ever, having already hit a record high in terms of their share of the S&P 500’s capitalization. … Also: Jackie discusses Google’s AI initiatives and election-year challenges. … And: Our Disruptive Technologies segment recaps Bill Gates’ practical and innovative approach to climate-related investments as the annual COP28 climate change conference kicks off in the UAE. Three innovations seem particularly promising.
Breaking Good
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Many of investors’ fears in 2023 turned out to be unfounded; all they really had to fear was fear itself. Now that investor sentiment has improved as investors have cast some fears aside, will undue fearlessness be a concern for the stock market in 2024? … Also improved from a year ago has been the consensus outlook of Wall Street strategists for S&P 500 operating earnings per share; our own estimates for this year and next have been and are still higher than the consensus. … Also: Joe shares the latest net estimate revisions data, showing more estimate cutting than hiking over the past three months. But analysts still expect positive y/y growth in both revenues and earnings next year.
Xi’s New Open-Door Policy
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: China’s economy is hurting, and the government’s recent attempt to cozy up to the US—on display in President Xi’s recent speech—reflects a dire need for more foreign direct investment. But to get it, the government may need to change its aggressive ways. … China’s consumers are feeling the economic pain firsthand, with declining net worths affecting their spending. Two major crises led China to this juncture, one related to its flailing property market and the other to its aging and shrinking population. … US consumers, on the other hand, are flush with substantial net worth, especially the Baby Boomers.
Update: Another Roaring Twenties May Still Be Ahead
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Our Roaring 2020s outlook for this decade centers on the idea that technological innovations such as the so-called BRAIN technologies will be widely adopted by companies, fueling productivity growth that minimizes the economy’s major problem of a tight labor market and drives widespread prosperity. The pandemic derailed a productivity boom that started gathering steam in late 2015 and is just this year getting back on track. … We think the stock market rally that began a year ago reflects the technological revolution at the core of our Roaring 2020s scenario. … Of course, there are doubters; we address each of their main points below.
Oil, Stocks & 3-D Hand Printing
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: In the spirit of the season, Jackie reflects on two sources of US investors’ gratitude—lower fuel prices and the stock market rally. … A confluence of factors has driven down fuel prices as Americans set out on their Thanksgiving travels, including record-high US oil production and lower-than-expected demand from China. … Interest-rate-sensitive industries have outperformed in recent weeks’ stock-market rally as investors lay bets that the Fed is done tightening. The rally has bumped three S&P 500 sectors to ytd gains above 30%. … And our Disruptive Technologies focus: hand-softening technology for robots, courtesy of 3-D printing.
Thanksgiving
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Americans have many blessings to count this week: Real GDP is at a record high; so are real consumption per household, real wages, and household net worth. Thanks to our Founding Fathers, no other country cultivates entrepreneurial capitalism as well as America. … Also: Joe finds that the leadership of the stock market rally has shifted away from large-cap and Growth stocks since last Monday. That follows the script of stock market rallies generally: They get off the ground with the strongest leaders, then broaden out to include other capitalization sizes and investment styles.
Retailers, Semis & Quantum Computing
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: With consumers employed and feeling flush, the holiday selling season is starting off well. The recent quarterly earnings reports of a few big retailers were mixed, with TJX reporting good customer traffic while Home Depot and Target beat expectations. ... Also: The S&P 500 Semiconductor industry’s price index has nearly doubled this ytd! But while some of its member stocks have posted outsized ytd gains, others have ytd drops. Jackie explores what’s fueling the price action. … And: Quantum computing is advancing by leaps and bounds. So is AI. Combine the two, as some companies are doing, and the innovation potential is astronomical.