While major U.S. equity indices pushed higher in August, investors remain concerned about trade and foreign policy.
The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and NASDAQ moved higher for the month of August, along with the Russell 2000. Technical momentum is strong, according to Raymond James Senior Equity Research Analyst Andrew Adams, and all major U.S. equity indices were at or near highs on the back of strong second-quarter earnings and good economic data.
However, investors showed signs of caution toward the end of the month, seemingly concerned about U.S. trade and foreign policy, as tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods could be imposed in early September, according to Senior Equity Portfolio Analyst Joey Madere. In addition, in their trade negotiations, the U.S. and Mexico reached an agreement in principle, but ended without a finalized trade deal. The two countries, along with Canada, will continue to negotiate, with the expectations that a completed deal will be reached by the end of September. As a result, domestic stocks slipped slightly on the news, even as the dollar strengthened. However, the momentary slip wasn’t enough to erase gains from earlier in the month, according to Bloomberg.
“We believe … a trilateral deal will be struck before the end of [September] and that will boost general market sentiment and relieve some of the trade fears,” Mills added.
The U.S. economy was expected to be pushed and pulled by three factors in 2018: fiscal policy, monetary policy and labor market constraints. Judging by the increase in the federal budget deficits, fiscal stimulus now appears to be larger than anticipated, adding to the economy’s momentum for the last few months of the year. The pace of job growth has remained strong, beyond a long-term sustainable pace, as there appears to have been more available slack than earlier thought. Data for early third quarter are consistent with moderately strong growth in the near term, explains Raymond James Chief Economist Scott Brown.
| 12/29/17 Close | 8/31/18 Close | Change YTD | % Gain/Loss YTD |
DJIA | 24,719.22 | 25,964.82 | +1,245.60 | +5.04% |
NASDAQ | 6,903.39 | 8,109.54 | +1,206.15 | +17.47% |
S&P 500 | 2,673.61 | 2,901.52 | +227.91 | +8.52% |
MSCI EAFE | 2,050.79 | 1,962.05 | -88.74 | -4.33% |
Russell 2000 | 1,535.51 | 1,740.75 | +205.24 | +13.37% |
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 2,046.37 | 2,026.72 | -19.65 | -0.96% |
Performance reflects price returns as of 4:30 EDT on August 31, 2018.
Here is a look at what’s happening in the economy and capital markets, as well as key factors we are watching:
Economy
- Early data for the third quarter continued to show moderately strong growth in the overall economy, with consumer price inflation trending at the Federal Reserve’s (the Fed) 2% goal, according to Chief Economist Scott Brown.
- Consumer spending (68% of gross domestic product) appears to be trending at a 2.5% to 3.0% annual rate, following a 2.1% pace in the first half of the year.
- Fiscal stimulus (lower taxes and increased spending) has provided support for the economy in 2018, but has also added significantly to the federal budget deficit, worsening demographic strains ahead (i.e., paying for Social Security and Medicare as the baby-boom generation retires).
- The Fed is very likely to raise short-term interest rates following the September policy meeting, but officials are increasingly aware of the risks of raising rates too fast or too slow. Another rate hike in mid-December appears more likely than not, but that could change depending on the economic data.
- Increased tariffs and retaliatory measures have had a significant impact on some sectors, but little effect on the overall economy. That may change if trade conflicts escalate, Brown notes.
Equities
- Economic momentum remains solid, and second-quarter earnings have been stellar with more than half of the S&P 500 reporting, according to Managing Director of Portfolio & Technical Strategy Michael Gibbs and Senior Equity Portfolio Analyst Joey Madere.
- Technology shares suffered a blow as Facebook and Netflix stumbled at the end of the month.
- U.S. oil futures climbed past $70 a barrel for the first time in more than a week as a weaker dollar boosted the appeal of commodities and concerns over global supply disruptions persisted, according to Bloomberg.
Fixed Income
- The spread between the two- and 10-year Treasuries has shrunk from 78 basis points a year ago to the current ~20 basis points. Much is being made of a potential inverted curve. The long end of the Treasury curve remains low and may be explained by investors’ poor/bearish long-term outlook and/or foreign investors creating huge demand for U.S. investments, largely due to interest rate disparity, explains Senior Vice President, Senior Fixed Income Strategist Doug Drabik.
- Regardless of rationale or potential outcome, the effect on long-term fixed income planning should be minimal as inverted curves and/or recessions represent relatively short moments in business cycles, Drabik added.
- The yield curve (looking at the 10-year Treasury yield less federal funds rate) is not inverted (a common indicator of recession), but a flatter curve bears watching, adds Chief Economist Scott Brown.
- Increased government borrowing, somewhat higher inflation, and an improving economy would normally be associated with rising bond yields. However, long-term interest rates remain very low outside of the United States, and there has been a global flight to safety into U.S. Treasuries, Brown added.
International
- Headlines centered on high-profile troubles in emerging markets, including Turkey and Argentina, and issues arose including domestic economic challenges, the impact of a higher dollar on debt burdens and geopolitical tensions around potential application of new tariffs and trade restrictions, according to European Strategist Chris Bailey.
- High levels of volatility in the early part of the month did, however, progressively calm down as some investors viewed this volatility as more of an opportunity than a threat.
- Challenges remain and the direction of both the value of the dollar as well as trade talks with China and the rest of the world will be highly influential.
- With valuations low and sentiment depressed, investors can still find some diversification potential by maintaining or even establishing emerging market allocations in their broader portfolios.
- We saw some indications of modest progress in the Brexit talks between the United Kingdom and the European Union, although hopes for a final deal appear to have been pushed back.
Bottom Line
- We remain cautiously optimistic, and encourage investors to measure the success of their financial plans based on steady progress toward their goals, not the short-term vagaries of the markets.
Your advisor will continue to watch for legislative updates as well as economic developments. In the meantime, please reach out to him or her if you have any questions.
Investing involves risk, and investors may incur a profit or a loss. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the Research Department of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., and are subject to change. Past performance is not an indication of future results and there is no assurance that any of the forecasts mentioned will occur. Economic and market conditions are subject to change. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index of 30 widely held stocks. The NASDAQ Composite Index is an unmanaged index of all common stocks listed on the NASDAQ National Stock Market. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks. The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australia, Far East) index is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of the international stock market. The Russell 2000 is an unmanaged index of small cap securities. The Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. An investment cannot be made in these indexes. International investing involves additional risks such as currency fluctuations, differing financial accounting standards, and possible political and economic instability. These risks are greater in emerging markets. Small and mid-cap securities generally involve greater risks. Companies engaged in business related to a specific sector are subject to fierce competition and their products and services may be subject to rapid obsolescence. There are additional risks associated with investing in an individual sector, including limited diversification. The performance noted does not include fees or charges, which would reduce an investor’s returns. Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee a profit nor protect against a loss. Debt securities are subject to credit risk. A downgrade in an issuer’s credit rating or other adverse news about an issuer can reduce the market value of that issuer’s securities. When interest rates rise, the market value of these bonds will decline, and vice versa. Price/Earnings Ratio is the price of a stock divided by its earnings. It gives investors an idea of how much they are paying for a company’s earning power. While interest on municipal bonds is generally exempt from federal income tax, it may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, state or local taxes. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the U.S. government and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and guaranteed principal value. Chris Bailey is with Raymond James Euro Equities, an affiliate of Raymond James & Associates, and Raymond James Financial Services. Material prepared by Raymond James for use by its advisors. Not approved for rollover solicitations.
