Tag: S&P 500

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Don’t fight the Fed

The Fed is again expanding its balance sheet in response to the recent interest rate spike in repo markets. The effect is the same as QE: the Fed is creating new money (reserve balances) and pumping this into financial markets.

Fed Assets and Excess Reserves on Deposit

Why is this happening?

The US government is issuing record amounts of new Treasuries to cover Donald Trump’s record deficit.

Fed Assets and Excess Reserves on Deposit

According to Luke Gromen: “US govt is on pace to issue $11.3T in USTs on a gross basis in F19.”

Gregor Samsa at Macro-Monitor sums up the problem with the following diagram.

Macro Monitor - US Treasury Supply Demand Curves

If supply-demand curves do your head in, the above graph simply says that when you suppress interest rates, there will be a surplus of Treasuries. The yield is less attractive and demand from investors will fall.

Not only do we not have enough domestic buyers, foreign (Chinese?) purchases of US Treasuries are drying up. Primary dealers are required to take up the shortfall on any new issues. The recent price spike tells us they don’t want them.

10-Year Treasury Yields

So it’s all hands to the pump at the Fed. We are likely to see further balance sheet expansion in the months ahead, driving down Treasury yields and the Dollar.

And lifting equities.

The flush of new money is likely to suppress volatility.

S&P 500

And drive equities even further out along the risk curve. Breakout above 3025 would signal another advance.

S&P 500

We remain cautious. Stocks are highly-priced compared to earnings.

Corporate profits are falling in real terms.

Real Corporate Profits

And rising personal savings warn that consumption is likely to fall.

Personal Savings

It all depends on how much money the Fed will print.

Fed Assets and Broad Money

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S&P 500 bearish as Fed forced to expand

Juliet Declercq at JDI Research maintains that the normal business cycle has been replaced by a liquidity cycle, where market conditions are dictated by the ebb and flow of money from central banks. Risk will remain elevated for as long as natural price discovery is suppressed and risk-reward decisions are made in an artificial environment controlled by central bankers.

The Fed is again expanding its balance sheet (commonly known as QE) in response to the recent interest rate spike in repo markets.

Fed Assets and Excess Reserves on Deposit

Jeff Snider from Alhambra Partners maintains that the Dollar shortage has been signaled for some time. First by an inverted yield curve in Eurodollar futures, well ahead of in US Treasuries. Then in March 2019, the effective Fed Funds Rate (EFFR) stepped above the interest rate paid by the Fed on excess reserves (deposited by commercial banks at the Fed). According to Jeff, this showed that primary dealers were willing to pay a premium for liquidity. The likely explanation is that they anticipated a severe contraction in inter-bank markets, similar to 2008.

Effective Fed Funds Rate - Interest on Excess Reserves

When the spread spiked upwards in late September, the Fed finally woke up and started pumping money into the system, expanding their balance sheet by over $200 billion in the past few weeks.

Fed balance sheet expansion is normally welcomed by financial markets but broad money (MZM plus time deposits) is surging. Far from a reassuring sign, a similar surge occurred ahead of the last two recessions.

Broad Money

Bearish divergence between the S&P 500 and Trend Index on the daily chart warns of secondary selling pressure. An engulfing candle closed below 3000, strengthening the bear signal. Expect a test of secondary support at 2840.

S&P 500

Volatility (21-day) remains elevated. Volatility spikes at close to, or above, 2% normally accompany market down-turns signaled by arrows on the index chart. Note how rising troughs precede most down-turns and culminate in a trough above 1%. We are not there yet but Volatility above 1% is an amber-level warning.

S&P 500 Volatility

CEO Confidence is falling and normally precedes a fall in the S&P 500 index. What is more concerning is that confidence is at the same lows (right-hand scale) seen in 2001 and 2009.

CEO Confidence

Exercise caution. Probability of a down-turn is high and we maintain a reduced 34% exposure to international equities.

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S&P 500 and Europe: New deal or a false dawn?

Donald Trump and is making noises about an interim trade deal with the CCP, while Boris Johnson appears to be making progress on a Brexit deal with Ireland premier Leo Varadkar.

Trump’s announcement is little more than a sham, intended to goose financial markets, with nothing yet committed to writing:

“Trump said the deal would take three to five weeks to write and could possibly be wrapped up and signed by the middle of November….”

…what could possibly go wrong?

The economy continues to tick along steadily, with unemployment and initial jobless claims near record lows.

Unemployment & Initial Jobless Claims

But high levels of uncertainty are likely to create a drag on consumer spending and stock earnings.

At the outset of Donal Trump’s presidency, value investor Seth Klarman, who runs the $30 billion Baupost Group hedge fund, predicted the impact that Trump would have on financial markets:

“The erratic tendencies and overconfidence in his own wisdom and judgment that Donald Trump has demonstrated to date are inconsistent with strong leadership and sound decision-making…..

The big picture for investors is this: Trump is high volatility, and investors generally abhor volatility and shun uncertainty…. Not only is Trump shockingly unpredictable, he’s apparently deliberately so; he says it’s part of his plan.”

In his letter, Mr Klarman warned: “If things go wrong, we could find ourselves at the beginning of a lengthy decline in dollar hegemony, a rapid rise in interest rates and inflation, and global angst.”

While not entirely prescient — we have low interest rates and low inflation — Klarman was right about the decline in dollar hegemony and the rise in global angst.

Markets are clearly in risk-off mode.

US Equity ETFs recorded a net outflow of $824m this week, compared to a net inflow of $2,104m into US Fixed Income. Year-to-date flows present a similar picture, with a 3.3% inflow into US Equity compared to 13.9% into US Fixed Income (Source: ETF.com).

ETF Flows YTD

Long tails on the S&P 500 candles indicate buying support. Expect another test of our long-term target at 3000. Volatility remains above 1%, however, indicating elevated risk. Breach of 2800 is unlikely at present but would offer a target of 2400.

S&P 500

According to Factset, the S&P 500 is likely to report a third quarter this year with a year-on-year decline in earnings.

S&P 500 Earnings

The Nasdaq 100 paints a similar picture, with another test of 8000 likely.

Nasdaq 100

It is becoming impossible to justify current heady earnings multiples when reported earnings are declining.

Europe

If Johnson’s “free trade zone” for Northern Ireland can break the Brexit impasse, then there may be room for optimism over the future UK – EU relationship.

Europe seems to be stirring. Trailing a distant third, to North America and Asia in terms of investment performance, there are some early encouraging signs. A higher trough indicates buying pressure and breakout above 400 on DJ Stoxx Euro 600 would signal a primary advance.

DJ Euro Stoxx 600

The Footsie shows similar early signs of a potential recovery. A higher trough on the trend Index indicates buying pressure. Breakout above 7600 would signal a primary advance.

FTSE 100

Let us hope that this is not a false dawn and the UK and EU are able to resolve their differences.

For the present, our outlook for the global economy remains bearish and equity exposure for International Growth is a low 34% of portfolio value.

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S&P 500 survives but risk is elevated

Our recession indicator, a 3-month TMO of seasonally adjusted non-farm payrolls, ticked up slightly to 0.52%. This reflects a slight improvement in monthly employment data but the indicator remains precariously close to the amber (high risk) warning level of 0.50%. The red warning level of 0.30% would signal extreme risk of recession.

Non-Farm Payrolls Recession Indicator

During the week we discussed the high cost of uncertainty and how this impacts on business investment and consumer spending. Slowing growth in hours worked suggests that real GDP growth is likely to slow towards an annual rate of 1.0%. This would obviously be a drag on stock earnings.

Real GDP and Hours Worked

The S&P 500 retreated from resistance at 3000 but a long tail on this week’s candle indicates buying support. Another test of 3000 is likely. Breach of 2800 is unlikely at present but would signal a reversal with a target of 2400.

S&P 500

21-Day Volatility remains high and the recent trough above 1.0% warns of elevated risk.

S&P 500 21-Day Volatility

The plunge on 10-Year Treasury Yields, testing support at 1.5%, also warns of a risk-off environment.

10-Year Treasury Yields

On the global stage, low manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI)  warn that Europe is at risk of recession.  DJ Euro Stoxx 600 is retracing to test support at 360/366. Breach would signal a primary down-trend.

DJ Euro Stoxx 600

The Footsie is similarly testing support at 7000.

FTSE 100

Nymex Crude is heading for a test of support at $50/barrel. Trend Index peaks below zero warn of selling pressure. Breach of support would signal a primary down-trend — suggesting a contraction in global demand.

Nymex Light Crude

The outlook for the global economy is bearish and we have reduced our equity exposure for International Growth to 34% of portfolio value.

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The high cost of uncertainty

High levels of uncertainty in international trade, geopolitical outlook, and domestic politics in the USA are likely to have a domino effect on business and consumer confidence.

Business is likely to postpone or curtail new investment decisions. This is already evident in a down-turn in new capital formation, along with GDP growth, in the first half of the calendar year.

New Capital Formation

A similar picture is emerging in construction spending.

Construction/GDP

CEO confidence levels are way down.

CEO Confidence Levels

A slow-down in business investment in turn impacts on employment, causing a decline in payroll growth and average weekly hours worked.

Non-farm Payroll Growth and Weekly Hours Worked

Which in turn impacts on consumer sentiment as employees’ anticipation of future earnings declines.

Consumer Sentiment

The feedback loop will be completed if consumption falls. Retail sales dipped sharply in late 2018 but are keeping their head above water.

Retail Sales

And purchases of durables, like light motor vehicles, have leveled off but there is no significant decline so far.

Light Vehicle Sales (Units)

New housing starts and building permits even kicked up in August in response to lower interest rates.

Housing Starts

Consumers have, so far, continued spending but a down-turn in the stock market would weigh heavily on sentiment and consumption.

The S&P 500 broke its rising trendline, indicating a correction. Bearish divergence on Twiggs Money Flow warns of secondary selling pressure and a test of support at 2800. Breach of support is by no means certain but would offer a target of 2400.

S&P 500

We have reduced our equity exposure for International Growth to 34% of portfolio value because of our bearish outlook for the global economy.

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Fedex breaks support

Bellwether transport stock Fedex (FDX) broke long-term support at 150, warning of a decline with a long-term target of 100. A down-trend on Fedex has bearish implications for the broader economy, signaling that activity is declining.

Fedex

We have been here before: November 2007 – Fedex Warns of Worse to Come.

A down-turn in durable goods orders (adjusted for inflation) reinforces our bearish outlook.

Durable Goods Orders

The S&P 500 is retreating from resistance at 3000. Expect a test of support at 2800. Breach remains unlikely but would signal a reversal with a target of 2400.

S&P 500

With year-on-year earnings growth projected at a low 2.1% for the third quarter, the forward price-earnings ratio remains high at 18.97 times forecast earnings. A rough rule-of-thumb:

  • below 15 is a buy signal; and
  • above 20 is a sell signal.

But when long-term growth prospects are low, then both levels should be adjusted downward.

S&P 500 Forward PE

On the global front, crude has recovered from the attack on Saudi Arabia. Follow-trough below $55/barrel would signal another test of long-term support at $50. Trend Index peaks below zero warn of selling pressure.

Nymex Light Crude

DJ-UBS Commodity Index likewise displays Trend Index peaks below zero. Expect another test of support at 76. Breach would signal a (primary) decline.

DJ-UBS Commodities Index

The outlook for commodities — and the global economy — remains bearish.

We have reduced our equity exposure for International Growth to 36% of portfolio value because of our bearish outlook on the global economy.

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The canary in the coal mine

Bellwether transport stock Fedex (FDX) is testing long-term support at 150. Peaks close to zero on the Trend Index warn of selling pressure. Breach of support would warn of a decline with a long-term target of 100.

Fedex

Breach of LT support would also be a bearish sign for the US economy, warning that economic activity is weakening.

The S&P 500 is testing resistance at 3000. Expect stubborn resistance followed by a test of support at 2800. Breach of 2800 would flag a reversal with a target of 2400.

S&P 500

Dow Jones – UBS Commodity Index rallied strongly with the Saudi oil price shock but finished the week with a strong bearish reversal signal. Expect another test of support at 76. Breach would signal a (primary) decline. We maintain our bearish long-term outlook for commodities.

DJ-UBS Commodities Index

We have reduced our equity exposure to 36% of (International Growth) portfolio value because of our bearish outlook on the global economy.

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S&P 500: Upside limited, while downside risks grow

Corporate profits (before tax) ticked up slightly in the second quarter of 2019 but remain below 2006 levels in real terms. The chart below shows corporate profits adjusted for inflation using the GDP implicit price deflator.

Real GDP and Hours Worked

Growth in production of durable consumer goods remains week, reflecting poor consumer confidence.

Durable Goods Production

The chart below shows growth in bank credit and the broad money supply (MZM plus time deposits). Credit growth (blue) remains steady at around 5%, slightly ahead of nominal GDP growth (4.04% for 12 months ending June); a healthy sign. Broad money (green) surged upwards in the first three quarters of this year. Not an encouraging sign when there were similar surges in broad money before the last two recessions.

Broad Money & Credit Growth

The S&P 500 is testing resistance at 3000. Bearish divergence on Twiggs Money Flow warns of secondary selling pressure. Expect a test of support at 2800. Breach would flag a reversal, with a target of 2400.

S&P 500

The cyclical Retailing Index displays a similar pattern, with resistance between 2450 and 2500.

Retail

Our view is that upside is limited, while downside risks are growing.

On the global front, the outlook is still dominated by the prospect of a prolonged US-China trade war. More great insights from Trivium China:

Tariff delays may be aimed at creating warm, fuzzy feelings before the next round of talks in early October, but……These small gestures do nothing to resolve the underlying trade conflict. We’re still pessimistic on prospects for a deal.

Zhou Xiaoming – China’s former top diplomat in Geneva – expressed the same view in a recent interview (Guancha):
“The two sides disagree too much on the objectives of the negotiations……It is almost impossible to reach an agreement in the short term.”

Zhou urged Chinese officials to be clear on the US’s objective:
“Economic and technological decoupling is the objective of the entire US government.”

Zhou said that officials must prepare for that potentiality, even if it is not their desired outcome.

So should we.

Dow Jones – UBS Commodity Index found support at 76 before rallying to 79. Rising troughs on the Trend Index reflect increased support. Consolidation between 76 and 81 is likely but we maintain our bearish long-term outlook for commodities.

DJ-UBS Commodities Index

On the global front, weak crude oil prices flag an anticipated slow-down in the global economy. Trend Index peaks below zero indicate selling pressure. Breach of support at $50/$51 per barrel would be a strong bear signal, warning of a decline to $40 per barrel.

Nymex Light Crude

We maintain our investment in quality growth stocks but have reduced equity exposure to 40% of (International Growth) portfolio value.

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S&P 500 buying pressure but payrolls disappoint

August labor stats, released today, point to low real GDP growth for Q3. Growth in weekly hours worked came in at a low 1.09% and GDP is likely to follow.

Real GDP and Hours Worked

While inflation is not the primary concern at the Fed right now, rising annual hourly wage rate growth (3.46% for total private) flags an increase in underlying inflationary pressure. This may make the Fed more hesitant about cutting rates despite Donald Trump’s tweet storm.

Average Hourly Wage Rate

Most important is the continued decline in annual payroll growth. At 1.38% for August, further weakness is likely and a fall below 1.0% would warn of an economic slow-down.

Real GDP and Hours Worked

The S&P 500 is headed for another test of resistance at 3000. The Trend Index oscillating above zero for the last 9 months indicates buying pressure but I expect strong resistance at 3000. Upside is limited while downside risks are expanding.

S&P 500

Semiconductors are doing better than expected, despite the trade war, but I suspect will weaken when the surge in orders ahead of tariffs tails off.

Semiconductors

Retail has stalled since late 2018 and bearish divergence on the Trend Index suggests selling pressure.

Retail

Automobiles, in a decline since 2017, have rallied over the last 6 months. But, again, further weakness is expected.

Automobiles

On the global front, weak crude oil prices flag an anticipated slow-down in the global economy. Breach of support at $50/$51 per barrel would be a strong bear signal, warning of a decline to $40 per barrel.

Nymex Light Crude

We maintain our bearish outlook and have reduced equity exposure for international stocks to 40% of portfolio value.

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S&P 500: Donald Trump and the next recession

Treasury yields continue to fall, with the 10-Year testing long-term lows at 1.50%. A sign that investors are growing increasingly risk averse.

10-Year Treasury Yields

Crude oil prices remain weak; a bearish signal for the global economy. Breach of support at $50/$51 per barrel would warn of a decline to $40.

Nymex Light Crude

Volatility (21-Day) above 1.0% on the S&P 500 is flashing an amber warning. Breakout above 2940 is likely and would signal another test of 3000. But expect stubborn resistance at our 3000 target level.

S&P 500 Volatility

Bearish divergence (13-Trend Index) on the Nasdaq 100 warns of secondary selling pressure. Breach of 7400 would warn of a test of primary support at 7000.

Nasdaq 100

Robert Shiller maintains that Donald Trump is unlikely to survive a recession:

“So far, with his flashy lifestyle, the US president has been a resounding inspiration to many consumers and investors. But his personal narrative is unlikely to survive an economic downturn….the end of confidence in Trump’s narrative is likely to be associated with a recession.

During a recession, people pull back and reassess their views. Consumers spend less, avoiding purchases that can be postponed: a new car, home renovations, and expensive vacations. Businesses spend less on new factories and equipment, and put off hiring. They don’t have to explain their ultimate reasons for doing this. Their gut feelings and emotions can be enough.”

I would go further and argue that Trump’s management style is likely to cause a recession.

Some of the aims the President is attempting, like addressing China’s unfair trade practices, are vitally important to long-term US interests and he should be given credit for tackling them. But his constant hyperbole, erratic behavior, with a constant mix of bouquets and brickbats, and on-again-off-again tactics, has elevated global uncertainty. Consumers are likely to increase savings and cut back on expenditure, while corporations may cut back on hiring and new investment, which could tip the economy into recession.

GDP growth contracted to 2.3% in the second quarter, while growth in hours worked contracted to 0.92% for the year ended July 2019, pointing to further falls in GDP growth for the third quarter.

Real GDP and Hours Worked

August employment figures are due for release next week and will either confirm or allay our fears.

We maintain our bearish outlook and have reduced equity exposure for international stocks to 40% of portfolio value.

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