Market Update

Market Update
Author

Aaron Soderstrom

Published

December 7, 2022

Market Update

Summary

  • Economy continues to slow, but the U.S. Economy is not yet in a recession.
  • Labor market is still tight.
  • Inflation is still high, but shows signs of cooling.

Equity market

As I mentioned last week, the equity market reached critical resistance in NASDAQ, DOW Industrials, and the S&P 500 Index. Now they are in a range with support right below the 50-day moving average on the NASDAQ. Our long-term view of the market is still lower as the market realizes a very low probability of a soft landing. In the short run, it is hard to tell what direction the market will go, but our tactical view (3 to 6 months) is still lower lows. To reach these lower lows, we expect some catalyst, and it will most likely be Federal Reserve rhetoric at the December 12th FOMC meeting.

Economic Growth

Following two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth, 3Q22 real GDP showed the economy grew by a 2.6% annualized rate, slightly more substantial than the 2.4% consensus expectation. Much of the gains came from an upswing in trade, while beneath the surface, the economy is still losing momentum in growth and inflation. Real consumer spending continued to soften, and construction spending was very weak with the climb in interest rates. However, investment spending is still holding up, and the GDP price deflator declined markedly to 4.1% from 9% last quarter. Moreover, with pent-up demand for autos and a still very tight labor market, it’s clear the economy is not yet in recession.

Our outlook is unchanged from the previous week update

Profits

The 3Q22 earnings season is ending with 90.9% of a market cap having been reported. Our current 3Q22 S&P 500 operating earnings per share (EPS) estimate is $51.17, representing a year-over-year (y/y) decline of 1.6%. So far, 57% of companies have beaten earnings expectations, and 55% have exceeded revenue expectations. Pricing power has differentiated winners and losers, as rising costs rather than deteriorating sales have accounted for weakness in earnings. Management commentary has constantly referenced the impact of higher interest rates, shipping costs, and a stronger U.S. dollar on earnings.

Omega Squared also publishes our S&P 500 EPS values, calculated differently from the Standard and Poor’s version. Our version sums all the companies’ earnings in the S&P 500 and divides that amount by all the outstanding shares. Our model confirms the popular S&P 500 version with a y/y growth of negative 2.03%; the difference is that we calculate our model daily as companies report.

Our outlook is unchanged from the previous week update

Jobs

The November Jobs report was strong at the surface, with an above-consensus gain for payroll jobs and a rise in average hourly earnings. However, both the details of the payroll report and a broader view of the labor market suggest moderation is continuing after strong gains earlier in 2022. In particular, this morning’s report showed a second consecutive monthly decline in employment as measured by the household survey and a fall in temporary workers, which often serves as a warning sign of weakness. Unemployment remained constant at 3.7%

Inflation

After many months of upside surprises, hot inflation is finally beginning to cool down. The October CPI report showed a picture of receding inflation pressures across various sectors of the economy. Headline CPI rose 0.4% m/m, and core CPI rose 0.3% m/m, translating to annual rates of 7.8% y/y and 6.3% y/y, respectively. While energy prices bounced, it was offseted by lower utility prices. Food inflation improved, with strength primarily coming from “food away from home.” Notably, prices for core goods and services ex-shelter are showing promising deceleration. As wages continue to cool and pent-up demand for services softens, we expect services inflation will continue to moderate but at a slower rate than expected because of the excess demand in job openings.

Stick CPI, excluding food and energy, shows a slight change in the trend to the upside. But with year-over-year growth at 6.35%, the Federal Reserve has some work to do.

Our outlook is unchanged from the previous week update

Rates

Persistent inflationary pressures have pushed the Fed to accelerate its rate-hiking trajectory. At its November meeting, the FOMC announced another 0.75% increase in the federal funds rate to a range of 3.75%-4.00%. The committee’s tone remained hawkish and inflation vigilant. Still, investors took initial relief at the new statement language acknowledging the significant tightening the Fed has already delivered and the lags with which it will affect the economy and inflation. However, Chairman Jerome Powell’s rhetoric in the subsequent press conference was increasingly hawkish, suggesting that the risk of Fed overtightening remains.

Our outlook is unchanged from the previous week update

Risks

  • Fed could push the economy into recession if it overtightens policy in response to supply-driven inflation.

  • Heightened geopolitical tensions with Russia could result in continued energy shortages, low consumer confidence, and dampened growth.

  • Markets may remain depressed and volatile until investors receive clarity on inflation and the Fed.

Our outlook is unchanged from the previous week update

Investment Themes

  • As the rate hiking cycle is slowly ending, with the monetary policy cycle close to its max restrictive zone, fixed income is starting to show signs of life. The yield curve inversion of 10-year treasuries, less 2-year treasuries, suggests that rates should soon fall on the long end of the yield curve. Thus, high-quality fixed income with longer duration is starting to look attractive. Fixed income with low exposure to credit risk offers more protection against market correction or economic downturn.

  • U.S. Equities are now under pressure as forward earning expectations are likely to lower for the 2023 earnings season as we approach the upcoming recession. The bear market that started in early 2022 will continue through 2023 until the economic and profit cycles reverse.

Our outlook is unchanged from the previous week update

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