AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL, INC.
Stocks couldn't carry their momentum forward last week after breaking a seven-week losing streak, as the S&P 500® Index dropped 1.2%. The NASDAQ Composite fell roughly 1.0% during the shortened holiday week, and the Dow Jones Industrials Average lost 0.9%.
Nine of eleven S&P 500 sectors finished the week lower, with Healthcare (down 3.1%), REITs (lower by 2.2%), and Financials (off 2.1%) all underperforming the broader averages. Energy (+1.2%) continued to buck the overall downward trend in the market last week. Energy is up roughly +60.0% year-to-date, trouncing the nearly 14.0% loss this year in the S&P 500. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose +3.3% on the week finishing at over $120 per barrel - its highest level since March 8. Announcements noting the European Union is readying a strategy to partially ban Russian oil, as well as an OPEC+ agreement that falls short of replacing all the barrels of crude lost to the world from Russian sanctions, placed a stronger bid under crude last week. Hence, Energy stocks continue to move higher in an otherwise down-trending market.
Gold ended last week essentially flat at $1,853 per ounce, and the U.S. dollar was stronger, fueled by a +3.0% gain versus the Japanese yen. The 10-year yield settled the week at 2.94%.
Investors See Good News as Bad News
In our view, we are entering a "good news is bad news" type of market environment. Investor anxiety is high. Inflation is at near-record levels. And fears the Federal Reserve is on a collision course to raise interest rates into restrictive territory underpin the challenges stocks face in building sustained momentum to the upside. As such, incoming economic releases that come in stronger than expected, particularly on items of employment and inflation, are likely to be greeted with an adverse investor reaction, as it signals the Fed may need to keep pushing interest rates higher.
Consequently, we believe investors are increasingly looking for a Goldilocks scenario across incoming data points. Notably, the market wants to see trends that show a consistent level of moderation in the pace of growth, inflation, employment, activity, spending, etc., but not enough of a slowdown where it stokes recession fears.
Bottom line: This is a tall order to fulfill and, in some respects, is an unreasonable ask from market participants. While growth momentum and inflation pressures are likely to ease in the coming months (helping reduce the risk that the Federal Reserve overtightens monetary policy), the month-over-month changes in incoming data are unlikely to follow a Goldilocks scenario. Instead, trends could look disjointed over the intermediate-term, which is likely to keep stock volatility elevated and uncertainty high.
The May jobs report is a perfect example of the good news is bad news dynamic. May jobs rose +390,000, while the unemployment rate held steady at 3.6% for the third consecutive month. However, job growth last month was more robust than the +323,000 expected. Although job growth moderated from April's +436,000 pace (including downward revisions), the moderation was not as much as economists expected. Hence, investors viewed the report as confirmation the Fed could be undeterred in its efforts to raise interest rates to stamp out inflation. As a result, stocks fell on Friday, dashing the possibility of a second consecutive week of stock gains. Instead, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ have closed lower in eight of the last nine weeks.
A Slowdown in Rate Increases Seems Less Likely; The Fed's Recent Tone is Leading Some Companies to Re-assess Labor Needs
Following Friday's employment report, Fed fund futures now see the Fed raising rates by 50 basis points at the following three FOMC meetings (June, July and September). Hopes for a pause/slowdown in rate hikes at the September meeting, which had gained some steam recently, were dented in a speech by Fed Vice Chair Lael Brainard on Thursday. Then further damaged by Friday's employment report. Yet, average hourly earnings rose by +0.3% month-over-month in May, matching April's levels and coming in lighter than the +0.4% expected. As a result, on a year-over-year basis, average hourly earnings rose +5.2% in May, down from the +5.5% pace in April. And while wages are running hotter for the rank and file workers, white-collar workers are beginning to see pay gains slow more notably.
Over the weekend, Barron's noted that 66 technology companies handed out nearly 17,000 pink slips in May, the most in two years. In addition, the May ADP report (which tracks private employment) showed private payrolls grew by just +128,000 or the slowest pace since the start of the pandemic. Combined with downward ADP revisions for March and April, and more tempered private hiring across all industries, one can conclude higher wages are starting to take a bite out of the hiring frenzy, despite a tight labor market.
We believe the Federal Reserve is finally beginning to change the narrative around hiring through its commentary and actions, causing industries large and small to critically assess labor needs. Over time, this could temper employee expectations around pay and slow wage inflation. Bottom line: This dynamic is constructive for stocks, the economy, and the labor market as a whole as long as employers don't aggressively retrench hiring plans. We believe more tempered hiring, easing wage inflation pressures over time, and a more significant number of workers willing to return to pandemic affected industries could create a healthy job market for the longer term.
This Week's Economic Data Should Provide More Clarity on the Strength of the Consumer
Entering the week, stocks remain oversold. Bullish sentiment climbed higher last week across key reports due to the previous week's stock gains, but optimism sits well below historical averages. Also, stock allocations among professional money managers sit at their lowest levels in two years, per Bank of America's Sell Side Indicator. Notably, the number of S&P 500 stocks trading above their 50-day and 200-day moving averages remains well below their five-year averages. In our view, there is additional room for stocks to bounce higher "if" inflation continues to moderate lower, and the market believes the Fed may signal at some point it could slow its rate hiking cycle later this year. Admittedly, those are big unanswered questions at the moment and one reason stocks have had such a difficult time stringing together a more consistent winning streak.
But economic data this week should provide further clarity on consumer trends and inflation dynamics. On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve will provide consumer credit data for April. In the first quarter, revolving credit (mainly credit card debt) surged +21.4% year-over-year, as consumers continued to spend in the face of inflation by borrowing more.
On Friday, the headline May Consumer Price Index (CPI) is expected to increase by +8.2% y/y, slower than the +8.3% pace in April. Core CPI (which excludes food and energy) is expected to rise +5.9% y/y in May, down from +6.2% in the previous month. Investors increasingly view the +8.5% headline CPI print in March as the peak in inflation. However, the rate of change lower from here could hold more sway on stock prices and sentiment. Inflation levels that linger closer to the peak or fall more gradually over the coming months could be greeted negatively by investors, particularly if it implies more aggressive rate hikes later this year. Lingering inflation also wears on consumer attitudes in all wage spectrums over time. The longer inflation sits at or near extreme levels, the greater the risk of eroding consumer spending behaviors. Lastly, the first look at June University of Michigan sentiment on Friday is expected to show a slight uptick from May levels. In May, sentiment sat at its weakest levels since August 2011, amid near-record high inflation and eroding home affordability.
Important Disclosures:
The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change, and may differ from views expressed by other Ameriprise Financial associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, will not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not account for individual investor circumstances.
Some of the opinions, conclusions and forward-looking statements are based on an analysis of information compiled from third-party sources. This information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by Ameriprise Financial. It is given for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell the securities mentioned. The information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for investment decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the specific needs of an individual investor.
Stock investments involve risk, including loss of principal. High-quality stocks may be appropriate for some investment strategies. Ensure that your investment objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance are aligned with investing in stocks, as they can lose value.
A 10-year Treasury note is a debt obligation issued by the United States government that matures in 10 years. The 10-year yield is typically used as a proxy for mortgage rates, and other measures.
The fund's investments may not keep pace with inflation, which may result in losses.
A rise in interest rates may result in a price decline of fixed-income instruments held by the fund, negatively impacting its performance and NAV. Falling rates may result in the fund investing in lower yielding debt instruments, lowering the fund's income and yield. These risks may be heightened for longer maturity and duration securities.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is a grade of crude oil commonly used as a benchmark for oil prices. WTI is a light grade with low density and sulfur content.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
An index is a statistical composite that is not managed. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500® Index), an unmanaged index of common stocks, is frequently used as a general measure of market performance. The index reflects reinvestment of all distributions and changes in market prices but excludes brokerage commissions or other fees. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
The NASDAQ composite index measures all NASDAQ domestic and international based common type stocks listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is an index containing stocks of 30 Large-Cap corporations in the United States. The index is owned and maintained by Dow Jones & Company.
Definitions of individual indices and sectors mentioned in this article are available on our website at ameriprise.com/legal/disclosures in the Additional Ameriprise research disclosures section.
Third party companies mentioned are not affiliated with Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
The ADP National Employment Report is a monthly report of economic data that tracks nonfarm private employment in the U.S. and is viewed as a useful preview to the more detailed Bureau of Labor Statistics' employment situation report.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures change in consumer prices as determined by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (MCSI) is a monthly survey of consumer confidence levels in the United States. It is a statistical measurement of the overall health of the economy as determined by consumer opinion. It takes into account people's feelings toward their current financial health, the health of the economy in the short-term, and the prospects for longer-term economic growth, and is widely considered to be a useful economic indicator.
Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.
Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.
Nine of eleven S&P 500 sectors finished the week lower, with Healthcare (down 3.1%), REITs (lower by 2.2%), and Financials (off 2.1%) all underperforming the broader averages. Energy (+1.2%) continued to buck the overall downward trend in the market last week. Energy is up roughly +60.0% year-to-date, trouncing the nearly 14.0% loss this year in the S&P 500. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose +3.3% on the week finishing at over $120 per barrel - its highest level since March 8. Announcements noting the European Union is readying a strategy to partially ban Russian oil, as well as an OPEC+ agreement that falls short of replacing all the barrels of crude lost to the world from Russian sanctions, placed a stronger bid under crude last week. Hence, Energy stocks continue to move higher in an otherwise down-trending market.
Gold ended last week essentially flat at $1,853 per ounce, and the U.S. dollar was stronger, fueled by a +3.0% gain versus the Japanese yen. The 10-year yield settled the week at 2.94%.
Investors See Good News as Bad News
In our view, we are entering a "good news is bad news" type of market environment. Investor anxiety is high. Inflation is at near-record levels. And fears the Federal Reserve is on a collision course to raise interest rates into restrictive territory underpin the challenges stocks face in building sustained momentum to the upside. As such, incoming economic releases that come in stronger than expected, particularly on items of employment and inflation, are likely to be greeted with an adverse investor reaction, as it signals the Fed may need to keep pushing interest rates higher.
Consequently, we believe investors are increasingly looking for a Goldilocks scenario across incoming data points. Notably, the market wants to see trends that show a consistent level of moderation in the pace of growth, inflation, employment, activity, spending, etc., but not enough of a slowdown where it stokes recession fears.
Bottom line: This is a tall order to fulfill and, in some respects, is an unreasonable ask from market participants. While growth momentum and inflation pressures are likely to ease in the coming months (helping reduce the risk that the Federal Reserve overtightens monetary policy), the month-over-month changes in incoming data are unlikely to follow a Goldilocks scenario. Instead, trends could look disjointed over the intermediate-term, which is likely to keep stock volatility elevated and uncertainty high.
The May jobs report is a perfect example of the good news is bad news dynamic. May jobs rose +390,000, while the unemployment rate held steady at 3.6% for the third consecutive month. However, job growth last month was more robust than the +323,000 expected. Although job growth moderated from April's +436,000 pace (including downward revisions), the moderation was not as much as economists expected. Hence, investors viewed the report as confirmation the Fed could be undeterred in its efforts to raise interest rates to stamp out inflation. As a result, stocks fell on Friday, dashing the possibility of a second consecutive week of stock gains. Instead, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ have closed lower in eight of the last nine weeks.
A Slowdown in Rate Increases Seems Less Likely; The Fed's Recent Tone is Leading Some Companies to Re-assess Labor Needs
Following Friday's employment report, Fed fund futures now see the Fed raising rates by 50 basis points at the following three FOMC meetings (June, July and September). Hopes for a pause/slowdown in rate hikes at the September meeting, which had gained some steam recently, were dented in a speech by Fed Vice Chair Lael Brainard on Thursday. Then further damaged by Friday's employment report. Yet, average hourly earnings rose by +0.3% month-over-month in May, matching April's levels and coming in lighter than the +0.4% expected. As a result, on a year-over-year basis, average hourly earnings rose +5.2% in May, down from the +5.5% pace in April. And while wages are running hotter for the rank and file workers, white-collar workers are beginning to see pay gains slow more notably.
Over the weekend, Barron's noted that 66 technology companies handed out nearly 17,000 pink slips in May, the most in two years. In addition, the May ADP report (which tracks private employment) showed private payrolls grew by just +128,000 or the slowest pace since the start of the pandemic. Combined with downward ADP revisions for March and April, and more tempered private hiring across all industries, one can conclude higher wages are starting to take a bite out of the hiring frenzy, despite a tight labor market.
We believe the Federal Reserve is finally beginning to change the narrative around hiring through its commentary and actions, causing industries large and small to critically assess labor needs. Over time, this could temper employee expectations around pay and slow wage inflation. Bottom line: This dynamic is constructive for stocks, the economy, and the labor market as a whole as long as employers don't aggressively retrench hiring plans. We believe more tempered hiring, easing wage inflation pressures over time, and a more significant number of workers willing to return to pandemic affected industries could create a healthy job market for the longer term.
This Week's Economic Data Should Provide More Clarity on the Strength of the Consumer
Entering the week, stocks remain oversold. Bullish sentiment climbed higher last week across key reports due to the previous week's stock gains, but optimism sits well below historical averages. Also, stock allocations among professional money managers sit at their lowest levels in two years, per Bank of America's Sell Side Indicator. Notably, the number of S&P 500 stocks trading above their 50-day and 200-day moving averages remains well below their five-year averages. In our view, there is additional room for stocks to bounce higher "if" inflation continues to moderate lower, and the market believes the Fed may signal at some point it could slow its rate hiking cycle later this year. Admittedly, those are big unanswered questions at the moment and one reason stocks have had such a difficult time stringing together a more consistent winning streak.
But economic data this week should provide further clarity on consumer trends and inflation dynamics. On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve will provide consumer credit data for April. In the first quarter, revolving credit (mainly credit card debt) surged +21.4% year-over-year, as consumers continued to spend in the face of inflation by borrowing more.
On Friday, the headline May Consumer Price Index (CPI) is expected to increase by +8.2% y/y, slower than the +8.3% pace in April. Core CPI (which excludes food and energy) is expected to rise +5.9% y/y in May, down from +6.2% in the previous month. Investors increasingly view the +8.5% headline CPI print in March as the peak in inflation. However, the rate of change lower from here could hold more sway on stock prices and sentiment. Inflation levels that linger closer to the peak or fall more gradually over the coming months could be greeted negatively by investors, particularly if it implies more aggressive rate hikes later this year. Lingering inflation also wears on consumer attitudes in all wage spectrums over time. The longer inflation sits at or near extreme levels, the greater the risk of eroding consumer spending behaviors. Lastly, the first look at June University of Michigan sentiment on Friday is expected to show a slight uptick from May levels. In May, sentiment sat at its weakest levels since August 2011, amid near-record high inflation and eroding home affordability.
Important Disclosures:
The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change, and may differ from views expressed by other Ameriprise Financial associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, will not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not account for individual investor circumstances.
Some of the opinions, conclusions and forward-looking statements are based on an analysis of information compiled from third-party sources. This information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by Ameriprise Financial. It is given for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell the securities mentioned. The information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for investment decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the specific needs of an individual investor.
Stock investments involve risk, including loss of principal. High-quality stocks may be appropriate for some investment strategies. Ensure that your investment objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance are aligned with investing in stocks, as they can lose value.
A 10-year Treasury note is a debt obligation issued by the United States government that matures in 10 years. The 10-year yield is typically used as a proxy for mortgage rates, and other measures.
The fund's investments may not keep pace with inflation, which may result in losses.
A rise in interest rates may result in a price decline of fixed-income instruments held by the fund, negatively impacting its performance and NAV. Falling rates may result in the fund investing in lower yielding debt instruments, lowering the fund's income and yield. These risks may be heightened for longer maturity and duration securities.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is a grade of crude oil commonly used as a benchmark for oil prices. WTI is a light grade with low density and sulfur content.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
An index is a statistical composite that is not managed. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500® Index), an unmanaged index of common stocks, is frequently used as a general measure of market performance. The index reflects reinvestment of all distributions and changes in market prices but excludes brokerage commissions or other fees. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
The NASDAQ composite index measures all NASDAQ domestic and international based common type stocks listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is an index containing stocks of 30 Large-Cap corporations in the United States. The index is owned and maintained by Dow Jones & Company.
Definitions of individual indices and sectors mentioned in this article are available on our website at ameriprise.com/legal/disclosures in the Additional Ameriprise research disclosures section.
Third party companies mentioned are not affiliated with Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
The ADP National Employment Report is a monthly report of economic data that tracks nonfarm private employment in the U.S. and is viewed as a useful preview to the more detailed Bureau of Labor Statistics' employment situation report.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures change in consumer prices as determined by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (MCSI) is a monthly survey of consumer confidence levels in the United States. It is a statistical measurement of the overall health of the economy as determined by consumer opinion. It takes into account people's feelings toward their current financial health, the health of the economy in the short-term, and the prospects for longer-term economic growth, and is widely considered to be a useful economic indicator.
Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.
Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.
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Ameriprise Financial Inc. published this content on 06 June 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 06 June 2022 21:41:03 UTC.
