Daily Research Updates
Morning Briefings
Expert market analysis delivered every morning. Stay informed with comprehensive research and data-driven insights.
The Bubble in Everything Has Burst. Now What?
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The bubble in everything has burst without dire consequences so far. Surprisingly, it has been a relatively smooth transition back to the Old Normal from the New Normal. Among the biggest bubbles to pop was in the bond market. The cryptocurrency calamity hasn’t turned into a contagion. The SPAC debacle has also been contained. There is still some air in the stock market bubble, but less than there was at the beginning of the year. Home prices may get supported by a shortage of inventory.
The Call Of The Wild
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: A few choice negative words about consumer spending prospects from a few high-profile bank CEOs tripped up the S&P 500 last week. But on Monday, a strong NM-PMI release did the same, setting investors fretting about the very opposite: that consumer spending might be too strong. Meanwhile, the bankers are crying all the way to the bank: The S&P 500 Financials sectors’ forward revenue and forward earnings have never been higher. If investors need reassurance that the economy isn’t headed south, the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model certainly provides it. … Also: PPI inflation is falling relatively quickly. … And: Wage growth seems to have peaked.
On Industrials, P/Es & Chinese Protestors
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The Industrials sector is outperforming the S&P 500 despite market expectations for a recession. The sector’s exposure to airlines, the defense industry, Boeing, and General Electric may continue to support its performance into 2023. … Also: The bear market has taken a bite out of most industries’ forward P/Es, especially those involved with Information Technology or Consumer Discretionary sectors. Meanwhile, forward P/Es have expanded for select industries in the defensive Consumer Staples and Health Care sectors. … And Jackie examines how technology both helped and hurt Chinese protesters.
On Bonds & Europe
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Bond yields aren’t determined as much by supply and demand as they are by investor expectations regarding inflation and the Fed’s likely response to it. But it’s helpful to stay aware of the latest supply-and-demand-related developments in the bond market, which we review today. … Also: The EU has been doing a remarkable job of finding alternative fuel sources to replace energy imports from Russia. If a war-provoked energy crisis this winter causes a recession in Europe, chances seem good that it’ll be mild and brief.
Earnings Matters
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Industry analysts following S&P 500 companies collectively lowered their earnings sights for this year and next when they heard Q3 earnings reports. The past three weeks have brought a reprieve in the estimate cutting, but will Q4 earnings reporting season revive it? Our soft-landing economic forecast suggests forward earnings moving sideways, not dropping, through H1-2023. … Also: PMIs correlate with the growth rates of S&P 500 earnings and revenues, and the latest readings yield insights into consumer spending patterns and inflationary pressures. … And: There’s no simple rule of thumb for when to over- and under-weight stocks of various capitalization sizes, but there are specific economic conditions that can guide the decision.
Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: We’ll be glad to put this year behind us—pessimism reigned as inflation raged, the Fed tightened, and investors revalued stocks downward. But the resultant bear market was a mild one as bear markets go. If it ended on October 12, as we believe, the S&P 500 actually was in bear-market territory—down more than 20%—for only 45 days of the 282-day span. … Next year, the economic backdrop should be more bullish as inflation moderates and rising wages outpace rising prices. We expect a soft landing, not a recession. … Longer term, we stand by our “Roaring 2020s” thesis, anticipating that labor shortages and technological advances will unleash a productivity boom.
Powell, Onshoring & Tech
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Reassurance from Fed Chair Powell yesterday that the Fed would proceed on its tightening course with “moderation,” to avoid setting off a recession, was music to investors’ ears—lifting stock prices and lowering bond yields. Today, we look at the words that had such a palliative effect on markets and recap Powell’s main points, especially about inflation. … Also: Rising reshoring and FDI trends suggest a revival of US manufacturing, which will benefit supply chains and labor markets. … And: Jackie examines the reasons for tech stocks’ recent malaise.
2024 Is Coming!
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: As 2023 approaches and progresses, it will be the 2024 outlook that the stock market increasingly will discount. Today, we examine the stock market equation P = P/E x E, with E representing S&P 500 forward earnings, in the context of both the consensus and our expectations for earnings and the economic backdrop next year and in 2024. … Also: The inverted yield curve is predicting neither a credit crunch nor a recession, in our view. This time, it may be anticipating a hasty retreat of inflation. That could mean that the yields on both the 2-year and 10-year Treasuries are peaking.
Anxious Index
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: If the economy is in for a hard landing next year, it would be the most widely anticipated recession ever. The Philly Fed’s survey of forecasters, the WSJ’s survey of economists, and even the Misery Index that reflects the sum of unemployment and inflation rates point to a recession. … But we think this time is different. There’s been no broad-based credit crunch, liquidity is ample, consumer incomes are growing, multi-family housing remains strong, capital spending does too, and fiscal stimulus has been gushing. Real GDP shouldn’t contract in such an environment but grow, slowly but surely. We’re in the soft-landing camp.
2023 Is Coming!
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The consensus is now bracing for a 2023 recession that tempers inflation and ends the Fed’s reign of tightening but also depresses corporate earnings, suggesting more downside for stocks’ valuation multiples. We’re more optimistic, expecting no broad-based recession but a rolling one, no continued bear market in stocks but sluggish earnings limiting their upside. … Both scenarios hinge on inflation: If it remains persistently high despite having peaked, expect a broad-based recession and all that entails. If not, the 2023 outlook will be brighter. … Also: A look at data supporting both soft- and hard-landing scenarios. … And: What the Fed might do next.
Thanksgiving In The Twilight Zone
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: While Covid-19 has upended life the world over, Americans have plenty of blessings to count this Thanksgiving. The US economy continues to grow, employment continues to expand, and consumers continue to spend. Although the single-family housing industry is in recession, multi-family housing starts are going strong. The auto industry is also doing well despite tighter credit conditions. Capital spending remains robust. The nasty supply-chain disruptions that had fueled high inflation appear to be over. And the US fossil fuel industry not only is meeting domestic energy needs but exporting to help meet Europe’s.
On Consumers, Chips & The Oceans
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Consumers are still spending robustly in many categories, as the surprisingly strong retail sales report for October showed. But Walmart and Target brass speaking on Q3 conference calls described heightened budget consciousness across income demographics. And while consumers have income, their balance sheets have been weakening as they take on more debt. … Are semiconductor stocks becoming attractive at their depressed valuations? Perhaps, but news this week reminds us why valuations are so depressed—demand is weak and analysts pessimistic. … Also: The oceans are about to get greener if innovative solutions employing AI, 3D printing, and low-tech dragnets succeed.
On Inflation & Financial Stability
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The inflation-is-peaking euphoria that’s driven the stock market skyward in recent days adds to our confidence that the bear market bottomed on October 12. … The latest batch of inflation indicators was mixed but overall suggests progress in the right direction, which may mean the Fed has done enough tightening already. … Don’t fear systemic effects from the bursting of the cryptocurrency bubble—US banks are just fine. … Also: Melissa examines what the Fed thinks about the resilience of the US financial system, recapping points from its latest Financial Stability Report.
Where Inflation Is Plummeting & Soaring
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: US inflation is sticking roughly to the script we’ve been expecting, having peaked in the summer and fallen since. We expect further declines through 2023. Today, we review what’s been going on beneath the surface of the headline rate, including the recent trajectories of nondurable goods, durable goods, and services inflation along with our expectations for each. … Also: The central banks of Europe, Japan, and China each are battling inflation along with daunting challenges specific to them.
On Earnings & Inflation
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Economic recessions invariably produce earnings recessions, but earnings slowdowns and downturns can occur without economic recessions: Nominal GDP and revenues growth can stay strong as profit margins narrow, causing earnings growth to falter. That’s what seems to be happening now, with the earnings weakness looking like that of a soft, not hard, landing. Whether that changes up ahead depends much on what happens to profit margins. … In this context, Joe discusses the latest earnings results for Q3, explaining how to interpret the results supplied by two different data providers. …And: A look at the components of October’s CPI results, which cheered the stock market at the end of last week. ... Also: Feshbach sees trading range ahead.
On Transports, Oil & Climate Change
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Does the recent rally in the S&P Transports signal that investors think transportation stocks have been beaten down enough so far this year? Will they continue to chug uphill despite the drag from slowing fundamentals? Jackie examines the challenges up ahead for shippers, truckers, railroads, and air freight and logistics companies; airlines, though, seem headed for blue skies. … Also: A look at the oil market’s tug of war between China’s downward pressure and Russia’s upward pressure on prices. … And: Today’s Disruptive Technologies segment focuses on news from the UN’s international climate change conference, COP27.
On Political Cycles, Earnings Estimates & Fiscal Fatigue
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The stock market historically has performed well after midterm elections and during third years of presidential cycles, but none of these positive political cyclical trends will make much difference if inflation remains elevated, which would force the Fed to cause a hard landing of the economy. … Also: Analysts’ earnings estimates are falling mostly because their expectations for margins are falling. We review the relevant data for the S&P 500 sectors. … And: How fiscal policy has contributed to the deficit and inflation.
On Labor, Productivity & Wages
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: For a variety of reasons, there’s a severe mismatch between the demand for and supply of labor in the US. That’s created a maelstrom in the market, with extraordinary levels of turnover: One third of payroll employees have quit their jobs over the past 12 months, most for higher-paying ones. That’s driving up wage inflation and driving down productivity. … But we still expect productivity to recover this decade as businesses react by investing in productivity-boosting technologies—our “Roaring 2020s” scenario. … While the latest data show some moderation in wage inflation, it probably won’t continue to moderate sustainably until turnover subsides.
Powell Is From Mars, Brainard Is From Venus
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Has the stock market been voting early? It‘s up 5% since the S&P 500’s October 12 bottom—which may turn out to be the bear market’s ultimate bottom. Tomorrow’s midterm elections may further boost stock prices in coming months if history is a guide. Our soft-landing economic outlook, if it pans out (60% subjective odds), may be another wind at the stock market’s back. … A headwind last week was Fed Chair Powell’s peak hawkishness, but we expect to hear counterbalancing views from other Fed officials now that their quiet period is over. … Much now—both the economic and financial market outlooks—hinges on inflation reports in coming months. ... On inflation, Brainard makes sense. ... And: Dr. Ed reviews “Don’t Worry Darling” (+ +).
On Powell, China, Consumers & AI
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Fed Chair Powell’s hawkish press conference yesterday deflated the stock market, but we think the S&P 500 bottomed on October 12 and see a few potentially uplifting developments to come. … Also: What might it take for the China MSCI to start performing better? Jackie considers this question and examines two big issues holding it back. … And: The shift in consumer purchasing patterns from stuff to services was apparent in the Q3 earnings of companies affected both positively and negatively. … Finally, today’s Disruptive Technologies piece showcases the rapidly advancing technology of AI.
On Powell, Inflation & Home Prices
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: After Fed Chair Powell’s press conference today, investors are bound to see more light at the end of the tightening tunnel. We’re hoping he’ll suggest that just two more 75bps turns of the federal-funds-rate screw—one announced today and another in December—may be tight enough. … Also: We assess the latest persistently high inflation data with an eye toward assessing whether our inflation forecast for the rest of this year is overly optimistic. … And: Housing prices are falling in the wake of rising mortgage rates. But we don’t see the market crashing as in 2007, Melissa explains. The downward drivers then and now are nothing alike.
Back To The Old Normal?
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The unconventional ultra-easy monetary policy that reigned from the Great Financial Crisis to the Great Virus Crisis—a.k.a. the “New Normal”—aimed to stimulate the economy and shore up inflation. Now the “Old Normal” is back, characterized by more conventional tight monetary policy aimed at taming inflation, even if that kickstarts a recession. … But this post-pandemic business cycle isn’t following the usual Old Normal script—instead featuring an oddly quick snapback of GDP growth and oddly vigorous comeback of inflation. … Today, we look at what’s been happening in various segments of the economy this year and forecast what’s in store for 2023.
Bear Bottoms
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: The bear market has clawed 30% out of stock valuations, returning the S&P 500’s forward P/E to its historical average of 15. But October 12 may have marked the bear’s bottom. If GDP and inflation perform as we expect and the Fed does what everyone expects, that bottom should hold. … We think the stock market has discounted a soft-landing scenario (to which we give a 60% subjective probability) but is nervous about a hard landing (40%). … Also: The MegaCap-8 stocks’ outsized influence over their resident indexes has been diminished. … Movie review: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (+ + +).
China and Semiconductors
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: Today, our focus is the semiconductor and semiconductor equipment manufacturing industries, both down on their luck these days. The US Commerce Department has barred the door to one of their major markets, China. Yet the CEOs have been curiously acquiescent. … Jackie examines the administration’s possible motivations and the impacts on specific players in the space. … This bad news couldn’t have hit at a worse time: The semiconductor cycle may be heading south. Earnings estimates have been getting slashed and stocks battered.
ECB On Thursday, Inflation On Friday
Check out the accompanying pdf and chart collection. Executive Summary: ECB hawks will be squawking at their meeting on Thursday. Fed hawks will be all over the critical US inflation data that comes out on Friday: The Employment Cost Index may suggest a peaking of wage inflation, and September’s PCED may reflect a declining headline rate (albeit rising core rate, as did September’s CPI, due to services inflation). Today, we examine the significance of each. … Also: We drill down to inflation within services industries, where the worst of it now roosts. … And: Once again, the ECB is on a mission and vowing to “do whatever it takes” to achieve it. This time, the goal is smothering Europe’s inflation fire even if GDP is dampened in the process.