S&P 500 rallies while consumer sentiment falls

The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment declined to 61.3 for November. Levels below 70 in the past have signaled a recession.

University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment

Consumer sentiment is in sharp contrast to robust personal consumption expenditures which at 93% of disposable personal income are well above pre-pandemic levels.

Personal Consumption Expenditure/Disposable Personal Income

Mortgage rates above 7.0% failed to dampen discretionary spending, with most households having locked in low fixed mortgage rates over the pandemic.

30-Year Mortgage Rate

Home Sales

Existing home sales declined to an annual rate of 3.8 million, with households are reluctant to give up their cheap fixed-rate mortgages.

Existing Home Sales

New home sales surged as a result, boosting residential construction.

New One-Unit Home Sales

Inflation Expectations

The University of Michigan November survey shows 1-year inflation expectations increased to 4.50%.

University of Michigan Inflation Expectations 1-Year

Five-year expectations increased to 3.2%, with the 3-month moving average of 3.0% well above the Fed’s 2.0% target.

University of Michigan Inflation Expectations 5-Year

Rising inflation expectations mean that the Fed is unlikely to cut interest rates in the foreseeable future.

Interest Rates

10-Year Treasury yields continue to test support at 4.40% after Treasury weighted new issuance towards the front-end of the yield curve — largely funded by money market funds currently invested in repo. Breach of support would offer a target of 4.0% — bearish for the Dollar.

10-Year Treasury Yield

Stocks

The S&P 500 is testing its July high of 4600. Breakout is uncertain but would not signal a bull market unless confirmed by other indices.

S&P 500

The S&P 500 Equal-Weighted Index ($IQX) has recovered less than 60% of its last decline.

S&P 500 Equal-Weighted Index

The Russell 2000 Small Caps ETF (IWM) is even weaker, retracing less than 50% of its last decline, suggesting that investors have little appetite for risk.

Russell 2000 Small Caps Index iShares ETF (IWM)

Dow Jones Transportation Average has also retraced less than 50%. The Trend Index below zero continues to warn of selling pressure.

Dow Jones Transportation Average ($DJT)

Gold and the Dollar

The Dollar Index retraced to test resistance at 104. Respect is likely and breakout below 103 would offer a target of 100.

Dollar Index

The weakening Dollar is bullish for Gold which is testing resistance at $2000 per ounce. Breakout would offer a short-term target of the previous high at $2050.

Spot Gold

Commodities

Dow Jones Industrial Metals Index ($BIM) fell sharply, warning of another test of primary support at 153. Breach would warn of a global recession, especially if mirrored by a similar breach in Copper.

Dow Jones Industrial Metals Index ($BIM)

Copper is testing its descending trendline at 8300. Reversal below primary support at 7800 would warn of a global recession. China consumes about 50% of the world’s copper production, most of it used in construction. So a lot depends on China’s efforts to rescue their ailing property sector.

Copper

The downward spiral of China’s ailing property sector shows no sign of abating despite the government’s rollout of a seemingly endless series of supportive but as yet ineffective measures, with the crisis stretching for over three years…..

The market for Chinese developers’ dollar-denominated bonds has seen a meltdown over the past two years, losing 87% of its value. The rout has wiped out $135.5 billion of value from $154.9 billion of outstanding notes, according to analysis by Debtwire. (Caixin)

Brent crude is testing resistance at $83 per barrel. Respect would warn of another downward leg to $72 and strengthen a bear market warning from Copper and base metals.

Brent Crude

Conclusion

Personal consumption expenditures remain strong despite falling consumer sentiment. The S&P 500 is testing resistance at 4600 but the advance is narrow, with investors avoiding risk in the broader market.

The Dollar weakened on the back of falling long-term Treasury yields, boosting demand for Gold which is testing resistance at $2000 per ounce. Breakout would offer a short-term target of $2050.

Copper and base metals are expected to again test primary support as doubts remain over China’s ailing property sector. Breach of support would warn of a global recession.

Inflation expectations remain persistent, with five-year expectations at 3.0% in the November University of Michigan consumer survey, well above the Fed’s target of 2.0%. The likelihood of rate cuts in early 2024 is remote unless a major collapse in financial markets forces the Fed’s hand.

Acknowledgements

Macrobusiness: China’s property black hole sucks in the CCP.