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Market Brief February 14, 2022 – Love & Money Connection

jim Financial advisor, Investment Management, Market Brief, Retirement Income Planning, Retirement Planning, wealth management February 14, 2022February 14, 2022financial advisor, investment strategy, market brief, retirement income planning, retirement planning, wealth management

This week I couldn’t resist sending out a fun finance-related “Love & Money” market brief on Valentine’s Day. This particular holiday can be tricky, as many people tend to have mixed emotions about their love life at times – and you could say the same goes for how people feel about their financial strategy.

Sometimes the matters closest to our heart are the most difficult to discuss, and that’s all the more reason to address it. Working with a trusted financial professional can give some great insight on how to break through psychological barriers to understand what’s truly behind your money behavior. I hope it sparks that need-to-have talk with the someone you trust.

Last Week

The stock market returned to its bearish ways. January CPI posted its highest annual increase in 40 years. For the week, the DJIA was down 1.0%, the S&P 500 was down 1.8%, and the Nasdaq Composite was down 2.2%. The S&P 500 fell hard at the end of the week, falling on both Thursday and Friday. The two-day loss was 3.7%, the worst since 2-day’s since Q4 2020. Interestingly, the index fell 9.6% in 2020 while the current decline is 9.8%.

Weekly mortgage applications tanked 8.1% last week thanks to rising interest rates. With the 10-year yield rising, stocks’ forward 12-month P/Es have been falling. On Thursday, the January all-items CPI was up 0.6% month-over-month and 7.5% year-over-year. Core CPI was up 6.0% from a year ago. That represented the greatest increase in annual core CPI since 1982. Used-car prices jumped 40% from last January and were a major contributor to the overall increase.

The rising price news puts additional pressure on the Fed, as markets are now pricing in a better than 50% probability of a 0.50% rate hike in March and creating whispers of an inter-meeting move. Some analysts are anticipating up to seven 0.25% increases for the year.

In a market looking for good news, weekly initial jobless claims came in at 223,000, below the 230,000 consensus; continuing claims continue to set new post-pandemic lows, at 1.621 million. Consumers confidence is down, pointing to one major concern – inflation… superseding any good news, wages, or Omicron.

Week Ahead

Kicking off with V-day today, bulls will be anxious to see if investors can rediscover their love for stocks. Unfortunately, Tuesday brings the January PPI. In this period of supply-chain crisis, expectations are for an annual change of 9.2% in all-items producer prices.

The Fed also has a scheduled “closed-door” meeting today focused on the “advance and discount rates”, fueling speculation of potential action between scheduled meetings. Whatever the outcome, it seems the only certainty is continued volatility, especially with the Russia-Ukraine situation sparking additional fears late last week. A Russian invasion on the Ukraine would likely set off a rush to lower-risk assets. However, it does not change the outlook for corporate profits over time, so any drop in equities will likely be temporary.

The end of the week presents housing data with existing home sales and construction spending. Some home buyers have pulled back as mortgage rates have jumped to near 4%, with applications dropping last week. Year-to-date, the Dow is down 4.40%; the S&P 500 is off 7.29%; and the Nasdaq Composite is back in correction territory, down 11.85% as of last Friday.

Click here if you would like to learn more about your options and if we can assist you with your wealth management, investment, and retirement planning.

Financial Advisor Erie CO focus on investment, wealth management, and retirement planning; Boulder, Louisville, Niwot, Lafayette, Windsor, Berthoud, CO

This website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be specific advice or recommendations. For specific advice or recommendations you would need to meet directly with one of our advisers.

Market Brief January 31, 2022

jim Financial advisor, Investment Management, Market Brief, Retirement Income Planning, Retirement Planning, wealth management January 31, 2022January 31, 2022financial advisor, investment management, market brief, retirement income planning, retirement planning, wealth management

U.S. equities rallied late in volatile trading as investors worried over Fed policy, rising interest rates, and high inflation. Investors may be looking for some relief after a bumpy January. This week kicks off another busy week of economic data. Three central bank meetings are on the calendar along with the monthly U.S. jobs report.

Last Week – Fed & Inflation

Despite wild intraday gyrations in the stock market last week, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq, and the Nasdaq 100 were all basically flat for the week. But at the end of it all, that was an improvement relative to recent weeks. The market saw a huge rally on Friday, with the S&P 500 soaring 2.4%, while both the Nasdaq and QQQs rocketed 3.1% higher. It was the largest daily gain for the “500” since June 2020 and the biggest jump for the other two indices since March 2021.

The stock market finally had a winning week, the first of the year, though January remains deeply in the loss column. Equities are under pressure from inflation, supply chain, Fed decisions, and Covid-19 restrictions. Last week was one of the busiest of the 4Q earnings season. Earnings were overshadowed by the GDP data, which in turn was overshadowed by the Fed meeting. Last Tuesday, the Case-Shiller Home Price index showed unrelenting home-price inflation, with prices up 1.2% month-over-month for November and up 18.3% year-over-year. December new home sales on Wednesday came in at an 811,000 SAAR, topping expectations for 760,000.

The Federal Reserve’s policy statement from last week plus Jerome Powell’s post-meeting press conference made it abundantly clear it is ready to start raising short-term interest rates in March. The futures market is now pricing in 5 rate hikes in 2022, 25 basis points each. Some believe there could be more. This would not be surprising as the Fed is behind the inflation fighting curve. The December Consumer Price Index rose 7% in 2021, the largest yearly increase since 1981.

Week Ahead

The current week mercifully says goodbye to January, which has been the worst opening month for stocks since 2009. On Tuesday, the ISM’s manufacturing PMI is forecast to signal continued expansion. But, at a consensus 57.5 reading for January, this series is likely below the 60 level that prevailed for almost all of 2021. This results from the given current realities of inflation, supply chain, and COVID.

On Tuesday, construction spending is forecast to rise 0.7% for December. The JOLTs job openings for December is forecast to remain north of 10 million. On Wednesday, ADP’s private payrolls report is expected to come in at 225,000 for January. This is down from the prior 807,000 for December. On Thursday, economists will watch initial unemployment claims for signs that Omicron impacts are receding; from a prior 260,000, economists are looking for as few as 230,000 new initial claims. On Friday, January nonfarm payrolls are forecast up by 200,000, in line with December’s 199,000 gain. Unemployment is expected to hold steady at 3.9%. And hourly wages are forecast up 5.2% year-over-year.

Earnings season is under way and announcements expected this week include Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Exxon Mobil Corp, and many more. Year-to-date through Friday; the Dow is down 4.4%, S&P 500 down 7.0% and Nasdaq Composite down 12.0%.

Click here if you would like to learn more about your options and if we can assist you with your wealth management, investment, and retirement planning.

Market Brief January 24, 2022

jim Financial advisor, Investment Management, Market Brief, Market Review, Retirement Income Planning, Retirement Planning, wealth management January 24, 2022January 24, 2022financial advisor, investment management, market brief, Market Review, retirement income planning, retirement planning, wealth management

A new year, a new tune? So far that is the trend…

With all the speculation around what this year will bring, including the effects of inflation and an ongoing pandemic, whether markets will continue to soar, along with predicting when the Fed may raise interest rates (and how many times), a quote from the late Donald Rumsfeld, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, comes to mind:

“There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.”

The idea of known unknowns is helpful in forming your financial strategy.

What do we know already (known knowns)?

Are we conscious of what we are not exploring (unknown unknowns)?

What about biases and unconscious decisions (unknown knowns)?

As this year unfolds and we move into a potentially volatile time in the economy, let’s work closely together, examining your goals and adjusting if needed as conditions change to keep you on track.

Here is a review of last week and what to look forward to this week…

Last Week

The Nasdaq fell 7.5% due to disappointing earnings results. The drop put the Nasdaq below its 200-day moving average for the first time since April 2020. The S&P 500 fell 5.5% and is off 8.25% from its early January highs. Every S&P 500 sector lost ground, with consumer discretionary, technology, and financials all down between 6-8%. Concerning inflation and corporate profits accelerated an overall risk off movement by investors.

Globally, anxieties rose over Russia making a move against Ukraine. In the U.S., a surprise drop into negative territory for January’s Empire State manufacturing survey revealed the economic damage that the omicron variant has done. Weekly jobless claims took an unexpected turn higher, totaling 286K as illness-related absences increased.

Reported housing data came in mixed as mortgage rates ticked up, reaching the highest levels since March 2020. New home construction ended 2021 on a positive note and annual housing starts were the highest since 2006. Homebuilder sentiment slipped slightly in January as lumber prices have soared back to near last summer’s highs, while existing home sales sank 4.6% in December on record low inventory. Overseas, China’s central bank moved to shore up a slowing economy hurt by the real estate sector, cutting several benchmark lending rates. China’s economy grew by 8.1% in 2021, below forecasts of 8.4%.

The Week Ahead

Investor sentiment has been pushed to levels not seen in a long time. The latest AAII survey showed bullish sentiment at 21%, an 18-month low, while bearish sentiment jumped to 47%, a 16-month high. Readings at those extremes may suggest an oversold market in the short term. However, this week is packed with potential big-impact announcements. The largest being the FOMC’s statement to be released mid-day Wednesday. Will Powell change his hawkish tone given recent risk-asset performance, or stay the course laid out in December? Reaction may be volatile either way.

Manufacturing and services PMIs, along with consumer confidence numbers, will precede the Fed’s account. Thursday brings the first look at Q4 GDP, where consensus forecasts have slowly come down and currently sit around 5.3%. Durable goods and pending home sales will also report on Thursday, and then Friday an inflation update lands with the Core PCE Price Index. And don’t forget earnings season is in full swing as 108 names in the S&P 500 are expected to report quarterly results.

Click here if you would like to learn more about your options and if we can assist you with your wealth management, investment, and retirement planning.

Santa Rally & Make Merry This Season

jim Financial advisor, Investing, Investment Management, Market Brief, Retirement Income Planning, Retirement Planning, wealth management December 13, 2021December 13, 2021financial advisor, Investing, investment management, market brief, retirement income planning, retirement planning, wealth management

Santa Rally or not, we’ve been through a lot in 2021 – more quarantining, hybrid work environments, ups and downs in the economy, and political uncertainty. Chances are, you’ve been so busy adjusting to all the changes while also trying to hold onto family ties and traditions that you’ve had little time to relax and enjoy this special time of year.

Well, now is your time. Take it. One of the most valuable things you can do in a busy season is to find moments of “me time.” Prioritizing wellness, including in your financial life, and taking time to set your strategy allows you to more generously show up for others and extend goodwill. I can help show you how. So, go ahead, start the timer. Carve out a few minutes for yourself today.

Last Week

Equities moved higher after risks that the Omicron COVID variant would slow down economic activity wanned. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes posted gains over 3%, and Dow was up 4.05% for the week, as volatility fell. The S&P hit a new all-time high on Friday. Every S&P 500 sector was positive. Crude oil jumped nearly 9% to climb back above $70 per barrel. Consumer prices rose 6.8% Year-over-Year and 0.8% Month-over-Month in November. This was the fastest annual pace since 1982, and in-line with expectations. Consumer sentiment rose to 70.4 in December, still lower than a year ago due to higher household inflation expectations.

On the labor front, resignations declined by 4.7% in October. Openings moved back up to 11.03M, up 4.1% Month-over-Month and just below the all-time high. Weekly jobless claims sank to a multi-decade low of 184K. Paychecks and hours worked grew in Q3, but productivity slumped 5.2%, worse than initial reports.

Week Ahead – Santa Rally or Coal to Wrap up 2021

The last full week before the holiday season begins. Will the Santa Rally continue, or finish the year with a lump of coal? This week features four central bank meetings and a host of economic releases. On Wednesday, the FOMC may reveal an accelerated tapering timeline. Markets are already pricing in better than 50% odds of a rate hike by May 2022. More inflation figures are reported with U.S. PPI on Tuesday, followed by CPI from the UK and Canada the next day.

This week also brings the first look at manufacturing and services PMIs for December in the U.S. and Eurozone. China’s monthly data dump will include annual figures for retail sales and industrial production. Other events of note include U.S. retail sales, regional manufacturing updates from New York and Philadelphia, and Australia’s employment account. The week closes with UK retail sales and Germany’s business sentiment information.

Year-to-date index performance; Dow up 17.53%, S&P up 25.45%, and Nasdaq up 21.28% through the close on Friday.

Happy holidays, see you next year!

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New Covid Variant Impact

jim Financial advisor, Investing, Investment Management, Market Brief, Market Commentary, Market Outlook, Retirement Income Planning, Retirement Planning, wealth management November 29, 2021November 29, 2021financial advisor, Investing, market brief, Market Commentary, retirement income planning, retirement planning, wealth management

U.S. equities tumbled in a shortened Friday session over fears of a new COVID-19 variant. Stock indexes were little changed heading into the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, but the late-week meltdown sent stocks lower. Last week was a reminder that the economic recovery path is still dependent on progress against the pandemic and how quickly conditions can change. All 3 major indices finished lower on the week.

Last Week – New Covid Variant

The new covid variant strain is thought to be the most mutated variant yet. This is creating concern over the effectiveness of current vaccines and the durability of global economic recovery. Prior to Friday’s decline, the S&P 500 index had gained over 9% for the quarter and over 26% YTD. For the week ending Friday, the Nasdaq was down 3.52%, the S&P 500 down 2.18%, and Dow finished down 1.95%.

The volatility index soared 10 points to 28.50. Oil prices initially rallied after the U.S and five other countries coordinated to release reserves but ended up down 13% on the week. The average price of gasoline in the U.S. is $3.70 per gallon, approximately $1.25 higher than one year ago. However, oil prices did not decrease on the news, as markets viewed the amount too small to make an impact on prices at the pump.

U.S. economic data was largely positive, however, the new covid variant renewed pandemic risks. Jobless claims, which totaled a stunning 199K, was the lowest level since 1969. President Biden announced he would nominate Fed chair Powell to a second term. Consumer prices have yet to ease, as the Y/Y Core PCE Index rose 4.1%, the highest annual level since 1990. Private sector growth remained robust in November, with U.S. manufacturing PMI increasing to 59.1, but services slipped to 57.0. The second estimate of Q3 GDP ticked up to 2.1% from 2.0%, with a massive upward revision to the increase in wages and salaries.

New home sales rose 0.4% in October, and existing home sales climbed 0.8%. Realtors are projecting full-year sales of over 6 million, which would be the highest total since 2006. Finally, global PMIs echoed U.S. conditions, with strong private sector growth being tempered by inflationary pressures and supply bottlenecks.

Week Ahead

Last week was a reminder that the economic recovery path is largely dependent on progress against the pandemic and how quickly conditions can change. Central bank leaders will likely have to continue exercising policy flexibility. Some economists just published expectations of a potential 8% surge in Q4 U.S. GDP, but it remains to be seen how this new covid variant threat may undermine that outlook. After last week’s strong unemployment claims number, investors will look for additional labor market clarity from Wednesday’s ADP and Friday’s NFP reports. This week also brings U.S. ISM manufacturing and services PMIs, along with the regional report from Chicago.

Year-to-date index performance; Dow up 14.03%, S&P up 22.33%, and Nasdaq up 20.20% through the close on Friday.

Click here if you would like to learn more about your options and if we can assist you with your wealth management, investment, and retirement planning.