“Unbeatable Determination”
April 22, 2013
04.22.13
Global growth concerns pressured the market last week. China reported that its first quarter GDP grew 7.7%, which was less than its expected growth of 8%. Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson provided some mid-week earnings support, but energy, homebuilding and commodity-related companies slumped. Lower precious metals and energy prices dragged down their respective industries, but did lay the groundwork for lower inflation and a longer-lived domestic industrial revival.
We are in the thick of earnings season, and the market is reacting in its typical schizophrenic fashion. Just over 100 of the S&P500 companies have reported. Although there have been several prominent misses [such as IBM], ~70% of reporting companies have “beaten” forecast results. Reported revenue is lagging, due to pressure on bank’s net-interest-margin, lower commodities prices and foreign exchange pressure from a stronger dollar.
In addition to earnings, economics and energy, the markets’ tone last week was impacted by the terrorist bombing during the Patriots-Day running of the Boston Marathon. Describing the personal tragedies is beyond the scope of this update, but our emergency response and investigative response was exemplary. The support of the citizenry was [and is] inspiring. Let’s observe a moment of silence and relive the scene in the Garden Wednesday evening as Rene Rancourt led the sold out audience in a unifying rendition of our National Anthem.
“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”
–Harry S Truman
“We must do”
April 15, 2013
04.15.13
Last week the S&P 500 finished up 2.3% boosted by the positive news that unemployment claims were much lower than expected. First quarter GDP estimates have also been rising with forecasters now estimating growth at around 3%, substantially better than 4Q 2012. However Friday’s retail sales figures were disappointing at – 0.4% and consumer sentiment numbers also fell. Consumers may now be starting to feel the effect of higher taxes on their pocketbooks.
Today China announced first quarter GDP growth of 7.7% vs forecasts of 8.0% further evidence of a global slowdown.
This week earnings reports for the first quarter begin in earnest and analysts have been estimating growth of only about 1.5% for the quarter and the number of companies issuing lowered earnings forecasts has been higher than average. So look for continued below trend economic growth.
“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
-Leonardo da Vinci
Pennies…
April 8, 2013
04.08.13
Last week the S&P 500 fell 1.01%. This was only the third negative weekly close of 2013, but it was the worst week since the 1.94% plunge at the end of last year. Despite the decline, investors continued to add exposure to equity based funds. For the 1st quarter equity funds experienced net new inflows of $78.9 billion close to the 1990 quarterly record of $80 billion.
Part of last week’s decline was due to the weak March employment report. Job gains decelerated to their slowest pace since last June when investors were faced with a flare up of sovereign risk concerns. The unemployment rate slipped to 7.6%, but only because the labor force participation rate fell to a new low. However, one month does not necessarily mark the start of a new trend, because underlying private domestic demand is strengthening, led by housing. In the interim, concerns about yet another Q2 slowdown will keep monetary policymakers on track with the current pace of asset purchases.
“Pennies do not come from heaven. They have to be earned here on earth.”
–Margaret Thatcher
Don’t Worry, Be Happy…
April 1, 2013
04.01.13
The S&P 500 hit an all-time high last week so don’t worry, be happy … at least that’s what the markets have been telling us lately. We suspect that the markets will likely push higher into year-end, but it is not unreasonable to expect a 5% or so pullback in the weeks and months ahead.
The S&P 500 closed higher by 0.8% last week as the broad index surpassed its previous peak from 2007. The NASDAQ finished ahead 0.7% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5% for the week. The push higher last week was prompted by better-than-expected U.S. gross domestic product growth of 0.4% (ahead of expectations of 0.1%). Investors also cheered strong U.S. housing data – the largest housing price gain since 2006.
Bonds rallied last week as news of the Cyprus bailout (bail-in?) rattled investors and led to a flight-to-safety into U.S. treasuries. The benchmark 10-year treasury closed the week at a yield of 1.85%. It is a bit unsettling; to say the least, that actions by the European Union could lead to a 60% haircut for some depositors in Cyprus banks. Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem caused quite a raucous when he exclaimed that the Cyprus plan could be a blueprint for future EU bailouts. Dijsselbloem recanted only after he was lambasted by the press for his perfunctory comments.
Market valuations are still reasonable at 14.5X 2013 EPS estimates; however, we suspect that S&P 500 earnings will move lower to $106 or so … at that point the markets would be more or less fairly valued. The Fed is still on our side so don’t worry, be happy.
“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”
– Harvey MacKay
Cyprus, Part 2
March 25, 2013
03.25.13
European officials have once again come up with a Cyprus bailout plan. This time the plan will protect deposits up to E100,000 but will result in large depositors taking a haircut of 30% to 70% or more. At least one bank [Cyprus Popular] will be liquidated. The Bank of Cyprus will likely survive, but in an altered form. The Cypriot economy [only E17.5B] will experience a significant recession, probably down 25%+ peak to trough. Finally, the size of Cyprus’ surviving financial system will be much smaller.
However, Monday’s trading day suggested that the painful Cypriot rescue plan will be a template for several other Eurozone economies. The Cypriot banks will not open Tuesday [Thursday is now the target opening date]. This delay is making things worse, suggesting that restrictions on financial flows to and from Cyprus will be in place for weeks if not months.
It is becoming harder for Europeans to kick the can down the road. This makes the US dollar a safe haven, and gives our banks, with their fortress-like balance sheets, a golden opportunity to gain share around the world.
“Procrastination is opportunity’s natural assassin.”
-Victor Kiam
Beware of Greeks Bearing Deposits
March 18, 2013
03.18.13
A better way to put it, beware of Cypriots having their deposits taken by fiat – 6.75% of deposits under E100,000 and 9.9% on those over E100,000. This is certainly a most unique way to structure a bailout, one that must have kept the EU, ECB and IMF officials working long hours. It turns out Cyprus has been a favored spot for agile Russian funds to park. It’s not surprising then that Putin characterized the plan as “unfair, unprofitable and dangerous.” The plan requires approval by the Cypriot parliament; we think it probably will not pass in its current format.
A longer term problem is one of perception- the perception that the richer European nations feel comfortable beating up on the poorer and smaller (in this case). Cyprus has been told to come up with E5.8 billion as their contribution to the bailout plan. It’s not yet clear how this can be done if the deposit-snatching plan gets hung up.
Meanwhile the U.S. economy and markets have been flourishing- housing has been healthier, industrial production strong, and unemployment claims and new jobs much better. Negatives have been consumer sentiment and gasoline prices. On balance the numbers are positive and one Wall Street firm bumped up their 2013 GDP growth estimate to 3.0% from 1.5%.
“Don’t measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.”
– John Wooden
Anticipation
March 11, 2013
03.11.13
Last week the DJIA finished the week at a new record high of 14,397 up 2.2% for the week. The big economic news for the week was the monthly jobs report on Friday which came in much better than expected with 236,000 new jobs and a drop in the unemployment rate to 7.7%. This is in spite of the year starting with higher taxes, rising gasoline prices and budget cuts. In addition the last 4 months have seen the strongest increase in hourly wages since the recovery began.
Earnings for the 4th quarter of 2012 also have come in stronger than predicted. Original estimates were for earnings to increase by 1.9%, but now look like they will be up 6.1%. However, guidance for the current quarter is coming in with negatives outnumbering positives by a 4 to 1 ratio resulting in projections for first quarter earnings growth of only 1.4% for the S&P 500.
This week all eyes will be on the retail sales numbers due out on Wednesday and if they come in below expectations it could be an indication that the tax increases and higher gasoline prices are starting to hit consumers. If retail sales are sufficiently disappointing they could trigger a correction in stock prices.
“Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences.”
– Norman Cousins
Slow Grind
March 4, 2013
03.04.13
Stocks were mostly flat last week with the S&P 500 posting a minor gain and the Russell 2000 posting a minor loss. For the month of February, the S&P 500 was positive by 1.1% bringing the year-to-date gain to 6.5%. However, stocks have been mostly flat to range bound for more than a month as markets digest the strong gains experienced since November. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the markets take a breather given the recent rise in gasoline prices, the expiration of the payroll tax cut, and now the sequester taking effect. Keep in mind that since 1946 the average intra-year stock market correction has been 14%.
This week’s economic calendar is pretty quiet following the slew of data out last week from housing, GDP, and the sequester. Investors will look for continued progress in the slow grind lower in the unemployment rate from the following reports: Wednesday – ADP report, Thursday – initial jobless claims, and Friday – nonfarm payroll report. Economists are currently expecting job creation around 171,000 with the unemployment rate at 7.8%.
“He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors”
– Thomas Jefferson
Held Hostage…
February 25, 2013
02.25.13
Washington, once again, is holding the economy and the markets hostage. Fears of looming sequestration cuts, along with concerns about slower global economic growth and political instability in Europe contributed to markets losing a bit of ground last week.
The S&P 500 closed lower by 0.3% last week as the streak of seven straight weekly gains came to a close. The NASDAQ finished lower by 1% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average eked-out a 0.1% gain.
We expect volatility to continue as the US deals with the approaching deadline for sequestration on this Friday – March 1st. Adding to investors’ squeamishness is Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments before Congress this week, the upcoming election in Italy and a slew of economic reports.
Investors should not be surprised by corrections … they are quite normal and expected. Valuations remain reasonable, and we expect to ride-out any impending storm.
Spring is only a few weeks away!
“Compromise is when one person wants to rob a bank and the other person does not, and they compromise to rob a person outside of the bank.”
– Christopher Myers
How Long Can This Keep Goin’ On?
April 29, 2013
04.29.13
Investors remain puzzled by the buoyancy of the stock market in the face of a sluggish economy. After a very weak fourth quarter, consensus for Q1 2013 had bounced up to 3 percent growth, so that the first go around release of 2.5% disappointed economists. As a result focus moved to all the negatives that have been noted-weak southern Europe, slower France and Germany, questionable China, uncertain U.S. consumer spending and on and on.
What has been impressive is the U.S. companies’ ability to handle the sluggish revenue picture by delivering good bottom line results. Bellwether General Electric for example reported profit improvement of around 16% as against a very modest revenue increase. 52% of companies reporting so far have exceeded expectations. The explanation – cost cutting. Companies have done this by keeping their head count down and controlling capital spending. Of course this does little to help the effort to reduce unemployment. Dividend increases have been meaningful, as witnessed last week by Apple’s fifteen percent dividend boost.
We would proffer two other explanations for this good stock market – the extremely loose monetary policy by Mr. Bernanke, “don’t fight the Fed,” and the other adage, “don’t fight the tape.” One more explanation – rates on money markets and bonds offer little competition at their current levels. In this light climbing the wall of worry is more manageable.
“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.”
– Zig Ziglar