Resources

Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses current economic conditions.

The economic impact of COVID-19 has been shockingly large and swift, but most of the information has been anecdotal. Economic data reports are by their nature backward-looking. However, the latest unemployment claim figure and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index point to a sharp contraction in economic activity. We should see further evidence of that in this week’s data.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose to 2,898,450 in the week ending March 21, which works out to 3,283,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis. The previous record was 695,000, set in 1982. “Nearly every state providing comments cited the COVID-19 virus,” according to the report, and “states continued to cite services industries broadly, particularly accommodation and food services,” while “additional industries heavily cited for the increases included the health care and social assistance, arts, entertainment and recreation, transportation and warehousing, and manufacturing industries.” Bear in mind that not all furloughed workers can file a claim (for example, the self-employed or those seeking part- time employment) and there is normally a bit of a lag between a layoff and a filed claim. The $2.2 trillion economic aid package will relax the rules and extend benefits to a broader range of unemployed workers. Still, the unprecedented increase in jobless claims suggests that labor market conditions are deteriorating more rapidly than was thought earlier.

The March Employment Report (due April 3) will understate the degree of weakness in the job market. The payroll survey covers the pay period that included the 12th of the month. Hence, it will be biased toward the first half of the month (with a semi-monthly pay period, someone who works on March 1 would be counted). The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data also include an adjustment for small firms, which can’t be surveyed. The model that does the adjusting works well, except at turning points. The bottom line is that one shouldn’t take a moderate decline in March payrolls as a good sign. On the other hand, a large decline in payrolls should be more worrisome, in that it almost certainly understates the decline. In any case, worse figures will be seen in the April data.

Click here to enlarge

The UM Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 89.1 in March (vs. 101.0 in February). It was “the fourth largest one-month decline in nearly a half century.” However, the report noted that the seven-day average was falling sharply toward the end of the survey, and if it were to stabilize into April, “it would amount to a record two-month decline of 30.1 points.” Consumers don’t spend sentiment. The chief drivers of spending are income, wealth, and the cost/ability of borrowing. However, sentiment tends to be correlated with the fundamentals, which are deteriorating rapidly.

This week’s economic data (Consumer Confidence, ISM surveys, ADP, Challenger job-cuts, jobless claims, and the payroll figures) should add to the picture of a weakening economy. However, March figures may not provide a clear picture. There’s always uncertainty in the data, but that is likely to get worse in the near term. Still, we shouldn’t worry too much about exactly how bad the economy is doing. We know that it is very bad.

Investors should keep paying attention to the spread of the virus and what’s happening in New York, which is probably two weeks ahead of the rest of the country.

The opinions offered by Dr. Brown should be considered a part of your overall decision-making process. For more information about this report – to discuss how this outlook may affect your personal situation and/or to learn how this insight may be incorporated into your investment strategy – please contact your financial advisor or use the convenient Office Locator to find our office(s) nearest you today.

All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the Research Department of Raymond James & Associates (RJA) at this date and are subject to change. Information has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing report is accurate or complete. Other departments of RJA may have information which is not available to the Research Department about companies mentioned in this report. RJA or its affiliates may execute transactions in the securities mentioned in this report which may not be consistent with the report’s conclusions. RJA may perform investment banking or other services for, or solicit investment banking business from, any company mentioned in this report. For institutional clients of the European Economic Area (EEA): This document (and any attachments or exhibits hereto) is intended only for EEA Institutional Clients or others to whom it may lawfully be submitted. There is no assurance that any of the trends mentioned will continue in the future. Past performance is not indicative of future results.