As we get closer to the election, the political landscape is heating up. President Trump is defending his administration's handling of Covid-19 and focusing on how strong the economy was pre-COVID-19 as well as how it's recovering post-COVID-19. Joe Biden is sharing his plans for sweeping reforms in Energy, Healthcare, and Education. In order for Biden to implement the changes he is outlining, he will have to raise taxes across the board. Given the state of the economy, it's interesting to be s… View More
A recurring question we hear is, "How can the market continue to move higher with all of the new documented cases of Covid-19?" We believe currently available data provides valuable insight into why stocks may keep pushing higher, suggesting we may be able to balance the scales between health risks and economic risks. The first and second chart highlight that despite the increase in daily reported cases of Covid-19, the death rate has continued to drop. Chart 1: Further, the data shows us t… View More
From depressed levels from the Corona virus, we are continuing to see some very large economic growth rates. The manufacturing PMI returned to expansion territory in the U.S., rising to 52.6 in June with a surge m/m in the new orders component (a leading indicator). The Conf Board survey of consumer confidence rose to 98.1 in June, with increases m/m in both the present situation & expectations components. The present situation survey reflects recent improvements in the U.S. labor market. Th… View More
While local lockdowns remain concerns (for example TX & FL), a renewed national/global restriction due to the virus is not the base case. So, from depressed levels, we are seeing some very large economic growth rates. Global PMI measures continued to bounce in June. U.S. new home sales rose +16.6% m/m in May. Durables orders increased +15.8% m/m. The NY Fed’s tracking index of weekly data continues to turn up. U.S. consumer spending cuts look to have occurred at the upper-end of the inco… View More
Turning off the global economic light-switch, and then turning it partially back on, has sent shockwaves through economic data that, while anticipated, have been jaw-dropping in both directions. For example, US retail sales plunged a combined 21.8% in March and April, before rising 17.7% in May. Manufacturing production fell 20.0% in March and April, before gaining 3.8% in May. Nonfarm payrolls shrank 22.1 million in March and April, followed by a gain of 2.5 million in May. The savings rate su… View More