Not so “Blue” Chips Advance Again…
November 10, 2014
Markets finished higher last week with the third weekly gain in a row. Stocks moved lower earlier in the week on a slump in oil prices, but the results of mid-term elections pushed stocks to record levels by the end of the week. Investors were encouraged by solid earnings reports, positive economic news and dovish comments from the Fed. Of course, mid-term election results seemed to excite investors, but history shows that it really doesn’t matter who gets elected (although a Republican congress along with a Democrat President seems to be a good combination… more gridlock?).
For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished at 17,573 to close up by 1.1%. The broader-based S&P 500 closed at 2,032 for a gain of 0.69% for the week. The Nasdaq Composite closed the week at 4,633 to inch ahead by 0.04%. International markets did not fare as well, and the Dow Jones Global (ex US) Index dropped 1.4% for the week. The 10-year Treasury closed at a yield of 2.31% as bonds were relatively flat for the week.
Despite the volatility, we see the U.S. economy plodding along and doing reasonably well. If history is any guide, U.S. stocks ought to do reasonably well over the next six months or so. The average rally in the S&P 500 for the six month period following the last 13 mid-term elections was 16.5% (according to global trading firm BTIG). Perhaps the market’s move higher going into the mid-term elections had already discounted the results. Nonetheless, we like the odds that the markets stand a good chance of being higher six months from now. Just think what would happen if the children in Washington could actually get something done…
As always, we urge investors not to get caught up in the day-to-day noise of the markets. Instead, focus on long-term goals, and enjoy the relative calm in the markets while it lasts.
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney
THIRD QUARTER SCOREBOARD
November 4, 2014
So how have you been doing you ask? Well the results are in and the scoreboard should tell you most of what you want to know (thru nine months). By far the best performing group was the REITs, or real estate investment trusts up 13.4%. Yet they were down in the 3rd quarter 2.5% indicating a possible reversal. The index most quoted about equities, the S&P 500, a good reflection of large U.S. companies, is up 8.3%. After that came the bond index, a steadying influence up 4.1%. Emerging stock markets were up a modest 2.7%. Moving into indices that were negative through nine months, EFA, the broadest international index was down 1.0%. The Russell 2000 which adds in the smaller US companies was down 4.4% (which led the charge in 2013) and commodities were down 5.6% due the deflationary environment most recently.
We can easily see the advantage of diversification illustrated in the periodic chart below. Last year’s winners does not equate to 2014 and so on. Our conclusion, stick to an investment mix that you and your advisor are comfortable using. You can fine tune it based on fundamentals that are clear and as always avoid dramatic changes based on the most recent headlines.
Here again is the year to date performance best to worst:
REITs +13.4%
S&P 500 +8.3%
Bond Agg. +4.1%
Emerging +2.7%
EFA -1.0%
Russell 2000 -4.4%
Commodities -5.6%
This data should help you understand better what your portfolio has done this year. Here’s to a good fourth quarter!!
The End of QE?
October 27, 2014
Last week, U.S. stocks posted their largest weekly gains in over a year. For the week, the S&P 500 rose 4.1%, the Nasdaq advanced 5.3%, and the DJIA was up 2.6% which were helped by strong company earnings. Through the end of last week, 200 S&P 500 companies had reported earnings for the 3rd quarter. At the current pace, it is on track for an advance in earnings of 5.6% which is ahead of expectations of 4.6%.
This week, the Federal Reserve concludes a two day meeting on Thursday and it is widely expected that they will end their bond purchasing program as previously announced. The 10 year U.S. Treasury yield rose to 2.27% last week as bond investors anticipate that the Fed will start to raise interest rates next year. However, given recent slowdowns in growth in China, Japan and Europe as well as a strengthening U.S. dollar, the Fed could delay rate increases beyond current expectations.
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment” – Jim Rohn
Volatility Continues
October 20, 2014
The market [which by some measures has officially registered a “correction”] continued its downside volatility last week, with both the Dow and the S&P declining another 1%. The DJIA is now negative for the year, while the S&P is up a paltry 2.1% [and below its 200-day moving average].
The week was very volatile, with multiple intra-day reversals. The most significant occurred Thursday morning: the open was continuing Wednesday’s broad-based weakness [down another ~1% intra-day] until St Louis Fed President James Bullard suggested that the Fed should consider delaying the end of QE3 [scheduled to end at the next FOMC meeting]. Then the Minneapolis Fed President Kocherlakota amplified the dovish sentiment by claiming that there is more the Fed can do to maximize employment. The result was an immediate positive reversal such that the S&P closed flat for the day. The strength continued Friday with an additional 129 BP advance.
At the risk of being accused of “looking a gift horse in the mouth”, the following chart from IBD puts the Fed’s efforts since 2009 in perspective. The balance sheet may have more capacity, but it is currently ~5x historic levels, and no one wants the Fed to exceed its [admittedly indeterminate] maximum.
“The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by the tenderness of the best hearts” – Henry Fielding
Pass the Dramamine…
October 14, 2014
Markets fell for a third straight week as they continued their roller-coaster ride on news of a slowing worldwide economy (not to mention Ebola, geopolitical turmoil and other events …). Perhaps the markets were simply due for a set-back … regardless of the “reason” for the sell-off, investors are beginning to get a bit rattled by the increased volatility. The Dow has had triple-digit moves in 12 of the past 16 days. Pass the Dramamine.
For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished at 16,544 to close down by 2.7%. The broader-based S&P 500 closed at 1,906 for a loss of 3.1% for the week. The Nasdaq Composite closed the week at 4,276 for a decline of 4.5%. International markets did not fare much better as the Dow Jones Global (ex US) Index dropped 2.2% for the week. The 10-year Treasury closed the week at a yield of 2.30% as bonds rallied on a flight-to-safety into U.S. treasuries.
Despite the volatility (markets are only about 5% or so off there all-time highs …), we see the U.S. plodding along and doing reasonably well. International valuations have gotten cheaper, and we suspect the markets may find a bottom here within the next week or so. Third quarter earnings season begins this week, and we expect earnings to be reasonable. Vladimir Putin seems to be backing-off his ambitious plans in Ukraine, and oil prices and gas prices have fallen quite a bit (a relief for consumers and businesses).
As always, we urge investors not to get caught up in the day-to-day noise of the markets. Instead, focus on long-term goals and enjoy the beautiful foliage.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”
– Jimmy Dean
Duration…
October 7, 2014
Given the abrupt and recent departure of Bill “The Bond King” Gross from Pimco, the topic of fixed income has dominated the front pages of every financial news outlet over the last week. In keeping with that theme, many investors have been lulled to sleep about the risks associated with fixed income securities due to the 30 year downward trend in rates (see chart below). When looking at a fixed income investment (i.e CD, Government Bond, T-Bill, Corporate Bond, to name a few…), investors need to be aware of two main risks; credit risk (default) and interest rate risk (rate fluctuations) which will be the focus of today’s commentary.
Duration is the most commonly used measure of interest rate risk on a bond or portfolio of bonds. Duration incorporates a bond’s yield, coupon, final maturity and any call provisions into a number expressed in years, which indicates how price-sensitive a bond or portfolio is to a fluctuation in interest rates. This relationship is pretty straightforward; the longer (shorter) the duration, the more (less) sensitive the bond or portfolio is to a shift in rates. For example, a portfolio with a duration of 3 years would be expected to lose 3% of principle if there was a 1% rise in interest rates, or gain 3% if interest rates were to decrease 1%.
Of course the most pressing question is where rates go from here. Inflation continues to be muted and shows no near term risk. Fed chair Yellen most recently mentioned she expects to keep rates down well into 2015. As Gross mentioned in this week’s Barron’s interview, rates are not only low in the U.S., but also around the world. Nevertheless, we recommend a diversified bond portfolio with an emphasis on short-to-intermediate duration and mostly higher quality credit. Be on the lookout for our 3rd quarter newsletter – The New Gulag
“The main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything… or nothing.” – Nancy Astor
Volatility Returns
September 29, 2014
Last week saw a return of volatility in equity prices as the DJIA ended a week with triple digit moves every day. For the week, the DJIA declined 1% and the S&P500 had a loss of 1.4%. Investors are increasingly concerned about the possibility of slowdowns in China and Europe, Middle East tensions and when the Fed will raise interest rates.
In economic news the third reading for 2nd quarter GDP came in at 4.6% and consumer spending rose 0.5% in August. Growth in the third quarter appears poised to come in at more than 3%. Growth will have exceeded 3% for three of the past four quarters if that happens. This week look for the monthly jobs report on Friday. Current estimates are for an increase of 215,000.
“Excuses change nothing but make everyone feel better.”
-Mason Cooley
A Feeding Frenzy
September 23, 2014
The 2014 Bull Market at least partially recovered its sea-legs last week, with the S&P rising 1.3% [producing an 8.8% year to date advance]. The Nasdaq recovered a more modest 0.3% [9.7% YTD], while the smaller-cap Russell 2000 declined a further 1.2% [-1.4% YTD].
Last week’s ND&S Update presented a list of potentially damaging upcoming events. So far at least, these developments have been collectively constructive. The Scottish independence campaign was rejected by 10%, which produced a collective sigh of relief. The Fed’s QE3 purchases were reduced to $15B/month [was $25B . . . and $85B two years ago] as promised, and the Fed continued to be vague about when the Fed Funds rate will be raised [this was better than recent pessimistic market speculation]. Note that the consumer prices report of a 0.2% monthly decline in consumer prices, “only” up 1.7% year/year, is consistent with the Fed’s stated game plan.
Finally, Alibaba came thru with the largest IPO of all time, raising $25B. This has produced a long list of wealthy early investors and many more private companies eager to take advantage of the wide-open IPO window.
Laissez les bons temps rouler.
The Fed, Scotland, ISIS, Russian Sanctions, and more … oh my!
September 16, 2014
Another volatile week as tensions around the world tempered investors’ appetite for risk.
All major market averages lost ground for the week – the first weekly loss in the last five weeks. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished at 16,987.51 to close the week lower by 0.87%. The broader-based S&P 500 closed at 1,985.54 for a decrease of 1.10% for the week. The Nasdaq Composite dropped by 0.33% to close the week at 4,567.60. International markets could not fight the tide as the Dow Jones Global (ex US) Index gave back 1.75% for the week. After last week’s losses, market averages are still higher for the year-to-date period with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 2.5% and the NASDAQ ahead by 9.4%. The S&P 500 is showing higher year-to-date gains as it is up 7.4%. The 10-year Treasury sold-off to close the week at a yield of 2.61% … nervousness around the end of QE (in October) and the upcoming Fed meeting prompted investors in bonds to take some profits.
Economic news released last week was mixed – stronger showings in the U.S. for consumer credit, retail sales and consumer sentiment were offset by disappointing data overseas. Geopolitical tensions and sanctions have, no doubt, impacted economic growth around the world.
The week ahead is sure to provide investors with a bit of excitement and anxiety (what’s new?). The Fed meets on Tuesday and Wednesday, and investors will anxiously await their comments (no doubt, in true Fed-speak) regarding future monetary policy. Scotland’s vote on independence will surely impact markets, and investors around the world await the results of the September 18th vote. Lastly, Alibaba’s IPO on Friday will create some excitement in the markets.
I’m William Wallace, and the rest of you will be spared. Go back to England and tell them… Scotland is free!
– William Wallace
Onward and Upward
November 17, 2014
The year-end rally continued for a fourth week, with the S&P 500 climbing 0.4% while the NASDAQ jumped 1.2%. This latest advance has produced double digit Year-to-Date returns of 10.4% for the 500 and 12.3% by the NASDAQ. Note that the small cap Russell 2000 has not participated this year, with a paltry 0.9% YTD return. Also of note, international markets have not fared so well as the Dow Jones Global Ex US is -3.2% YTD.
The week encompassed several significant developments: oil prices continue to decline, prompting HAL/BHI to merge; consumer confidence and retail stocks are both stronger; another multibillion mega-bank fine was announced [$3bil+ for forex “manipulation”] while a regional bank merger was announced [BBT/SUSQ]; strenuous monetary “stimulus” has driven the Japanese yen down to a seven year low [their equity markets are up, but any durable economic response is yet-to-be-determined]. Finally, Russian troops have reentered eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Obama administration has launched a concerted effort to regulate the internet service providers [ISPs] as common carriers [ie: treat them like an electric utility]. The bureaucrats call this “net neutrality”. The industry response has been prompt and pointed. Randall Stephenson, AT&T’s CEO has announced a halt in high-speed internet spending until web rules are resolved.
These many developments netted out positive last week, but future volatility will no doubt be in both directions.
“… keep your head when all about are … losing theirs” – Rudyard Kipling