Your Weekly Update for Monday, July 11, 2022.
Beacon Rock Wealth Advisors is a dba of BR Capital, Inc. a financial planning and registered investment advisory firm in Camas, Washington. We are always available to answer your finance questions. Give us a call at (800) 562-7096 or send an email to [email protected].
\If you or someone you know is worried about retirement, send us an email or give us a call for a no-obligation Retirement and Social Security Analysis.
If this information is helpful to you, please forward this to a friend and ask them to subscribe at https://newsletters.beaconrwa.com/subscribe.
Have a great week!
Mike Elerath
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM
CERTIFIED IN LONG-TERM CARE
[email protected]
Bill Roller
NMLS #107972
CHARTERED FINANCIAL ANALYST
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM
CHARTERED MARKET TECHNICIAN
[email protected]
For more information about Beacon Rock Wealth Advisors, check out our brochure here:Â https://beaconrwa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BeaconRockBrochure.pdf
Summary
Last week was a recovery week on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.77%. to 31,338.15 while the S&P500 ended up 1.94% to 3,899.38. The Nasdaq Composite rose 4.56% to 11,635.31. The annual yield on the 30-year Treasury rose 15.3 basis point(s) to 3.269%.
On a holiday-shortened week, economic data included deceleration in some economic indicators, but not to the point of a feared slowdown as of yet. These included weaker, but still-strong showings from ISM services and JOLTs job openings, as well as a decent June employment report.
U.S. equity markets gained ground last week, offsetting declines in foreign markets, which are faced with deeper near-term energy struggles. Bonds fell back as interest rates rose broadly, upon lack of slowing needed to justify lower recessionary yields. Commodities continued to fall back from highs, notably in crude oil and natural gas.
Economic Notes
(0) Minutes from the June FOMC meeting reiterated that the committee would be âwell positionedâ to evaluate policy and need for further tightening later this year, when the fed funds rate is expected to reach its long-term peak level. In keeping with expectations, this represents a continued front-loading of rate hikes this summer and fall, and some tapering off from that pace around year-end. Inflation remains a paramount concern of the committee, being described as âmuch too highâ (and a primary focus of Fed member speeches on their normal circuitâin attempts to reiterate their seriousness of inflation reduction above all else). Interestingly, participants referenced that inflation lasting too long and becoming further âentrenchedâ further threatens the committeeâs credibility with the public. Also, there appeared to be âlittle evidenceâ to support supply chain easing, with China and Ukraine remaining factors of upward pressure and ongoing risk.
(0) The ISM services/non-manufacturing index for June declined by -0.6 of a point to 55.3, but above the 54.0 level expected by consensus. The composition showed an increase in business activity, but a drop in new ordersâwith both remaining in expansion. Employment, however, fell by nearly -3 points down into contraction. Supplier deliveries ticked up and prices paid fell back, both remaining at high levels, and continuing to see challenges from supply bottlenecks.
(-/0) The JOLTs job openings index for May fell by -427k to 11.254 mil, above the median forecast calling for an even 11.000 mil. Under the hood, professional/business services openings declined by -325k and manufacturing by -208k. The job openings rate fell back by -0.3% to 6.9%, while the hiring rate was unchanged at 4.3%. Layoffs were also flat at 0.9%, while the quits rate fell by -0.1% but remained at a high 2.8% level. Overall, the fast pace of job openings appears to be cooling, which could mop up some of the slack of economic slowing, as there has been a shortage of needed workers anyway. Regardless, the gap between labor supply and demand remains at historically wide levels in the post-WWII era.
(0) Initial jobless claims for the Jul. 2 ending week rose by 4k to 235k, above expectations calling for 230k. Continuing claims for the Jun. 25 week rose by 51k to 1.375 mil., above the 1.328 mil. expected by consensus. Initial claims rose the most in CA, MI, and NY. The initial claims number was the highest weekly total since mid-January, along with announcements of hiring freezes and outright job cuts from some higher-profile employers in banking, technology, and crypto. However, levels still remain very low compared to history.
(+) The employment situation report for June came in better than expected, on par with recent months and showing few indications of slowing in most segments.
Nonfarm payrolls rose by 372k, nearly matching Mayâs pace, and beating the consensus expectation of 235k. The April payroll number was revised down by -68k, with a minor -6k revision lower for May. For June, job gains were seen in two-thirds of industries, most notably in professional/business services (74k), leisure and hospitality (67k, two-thirds of which were in bars/restaurants), and education/health care (96k). Manufacturing jobs rose by 29k, and have now returned to Feb. 2020 levels. On the negative side, government payrolls fell by -13k, continuing several months of declines.
The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6%, for the fourth straight month, in keeping with expectations. The household survey component showed a decline of -315k, but a rise of 131k on a payroll-adjusted measure. The U-6 measure of underemployment fell -0.4% to 6.7%, which was actually the lowest reading since that measureâs inception in the early 1990s. The labor force participation rate remains below the Feb. 2020 level, while the number of persons employed part time for economic reasons has fallen below pre-pandemic levels. Interestingly, the number of persons not in the labor force who want a job (but arenât actively looking) was unchanged at 5.7 mil., which remains above the Feb. 2020 benchmark of roughly 5.0 mil. This and other indicators suggest that, in addition to high levels of job openings, there remains a contingent of potential workers not seeking employment.
Average hourly earnings rose 0.3%, bringing the year-over-year earnings growth rate to 5.1%. The average workweek length was unchanged at 34.5 hours in June. Wage growth remains higher than average, but less than CPI, signifying negative growth in real wages.
Market Notes
| Period ending 7/8/2022 | 1 Week (%) | YTD (%) |
| DJIA | 0.82 | -12.84 |
| S&P 500 | 1.98 | -17.52 |
| NASDAQ | 4.58 | -25.33 |
| Russell 2000 | 2.43 | -20.66 |
| MSCI-EAFE | 0.97 | -19.40 |
| MSCI-EM | 0.94 | -17.50 |
| Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate | -0.87 | -10.59 |
| U.S. Treasury Yields | 3 Mo. | 2 Yr. | 5 Yr. | 10 Yr. | 30 Yr. |
| 12/31/2021 | 0.06 | 0.73 | 1.26 | 1.52 | 1.90 |
| 7/1/2022 | 1.73 | 2.84 | 2.88 | 2.88 | 3.11 |
| 7/8/2022 | 1.98 | 3.12 | 3.13 | 3.09 | 3.27 |
U.S. stocks fared positively last week, with sentiment improving around the ability for the economy to potentially avoid a recession. Decent economic releases, or at least data not deteriorating, were the catalysts for the improved mood. However, this seems to be a week-to-week affair. By sector, âgrowthâ areas consumer discretionary, technology, and communications all saw gains over 3% on the week. Utility stocks fell back by -3% with higher interest rates, while energy and materials stocks also declined in keeping with the recent pullback in physical commodities. Real estate lost just under a percent on the week, with sentiment tied to yields and potential impacts on commercial and residential.
Foreign stocks were mixed to lower last week, with small gains in emerging markets and Japan offset by weakness in Europe. Results were held back by weaker growth, higher inflation, as well as a strong U.S. dollar, which rose nearly 2% on the week. Specifically, fears of a potential European energy shortage that would no doubt tip the continent into recession weighed on risk-taking sentiment, although lower valuations have incorporated this.
U.S. bonds fell back last week, as interest rates ticked upward, perhaps in keeping with the hawkish Fed minutes. However, high yield and bank loans fared positively on the better news for risk assets. Foreign bonds were strongly negative due to the strength in the dollar, in both developed and emerging markets.
Commodities fell back overall last week, as gains in agriculture were weighed down by declines in energy and metals. The price of crude oil fell back by -3% to just under $105/barrel. Rising concerns over the impact of a global recession on oil demand especially weighed on prices earlier in the week, with private estimates starting to vary widely (from as much as $140 in a bullish supply-shock scenario to as low as $65 under a demand-destroyed recession, for example). While lower prices decrease input costs for transportation and production of goods, and pull down inflation readings (both arguably good outcomes), they also threaten the strength of energy company profits and commodity strategy momentum. Unfortunately, you canât have both.
Commodities had corrected by as much as -20% since a peak June 9, with rising recession fears appearing to surpass fears of continued high inflation for nowâalthough tight supply conditions continue to plague a variety of goods, including energy, grains, and metals. Unfortunately, the natural gas situation in Europe has gone from bad to worse with the shutdown of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia, presumably for summer maintenance from Jul. 11-21, but there are worries about whether it will be turned back on again, for political reasons. Russia has already decreased flows, with Europe looking for way to fill gas storage facilities as much as possible. Roughly 40% of the EUâs gas comes from Russia, so the supply is critical to ensuring adequate summer cooling needs as well as enough supply to handle winter heating. In the worst case, rationing has been discussed as an option, which would prioritize energy flows to residential homes, but causing manufacturing activity to take a back seatâwith obvious negative implications on economic activity.
Mortgage Rates
âOver the last two weeks, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped by half a percent, as concerns about a potential recession continue to rise,â said Sam Khater, Freddie Macâs Chief Economist. âWhile the drop provides minor relief to buyers, the housing market will continue to normalize if home price growth materially slows due to the combination of low housing affordability and an expected economic slowdown.â
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.30% with an average 0.8 point as of July 7, 2022, down from last week when it averaged 5.70%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 2.90%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.45% with an average 0.8 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.83%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.20%.
The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 4.19% with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.50%. A year ago at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.52%.
Freddie Macâs Primary Mortgage Market SurveyÂŽ is focused on conventional, conforming, fully amortizing home purchase loans for borrowers who put 20% down and have excellent credit. Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.
Through our relationship with Prestige Mortgage Services Inc. dba Prestige Home Mortgage (NMLS#14216) in Vancouver, Washington we originate residential and reverse mortgages.
Selected Cryptocurrencies
| Symbol | Name | Price | 24h % | 7d % | Market Cap |
| BTC | Bitcoin | 20576.58 | -3.23% | 4.43% | $393,224,738,283 |
| ETH | Ethereum | 1151.52 | -2.57% | 4.13% | $139,866,287,080 |
| BNB | BNB | 232.89 | -1.53% | 4.03% | $38,024,749,863 |
| XRP | XRP | 0.328 | -2.91% | 1.44% | $15,856,373,332 |
| ADA | Cardano | 0.4499 | -4.23% | -3.50% | $15,204,721,745 |
| SOL | Solana | 35.54 | -3.84% | 3.73% | $12,246,385,993 |
| DOGE | Dogecoin | 0.06503 | -4.57% | -4.04% | $8,628,099,111 |
| DOT | Polkadot | 6.86 | -2.21% | -1.67% | $6,778,537,408 |
| TRX | TRON | 0.06647 | -3.33% | -0.41% | $6,146,877,441 |
| SHIB | Shiba Inu | 0.00001103 | -2.50% | 7.50% | $6,056,369,794 |
| AVAX | Avalanche | 18.46 | -4.15% | 5.74% | $5,228,953,688 |
| WBTC | Wrapped Bitcoin | 20536.47 | -3.39% | 4.21% | $5,206,619,007 |
| LEO | UNUS SED LEO | 5.38 | -5.66% | -8.70% | $5,130,858,078 |
| UNI | Uniswap | 6.23 | 0.73% | 22.76% | $4,558,898,486 |
| MATIC | Polygon | 0.561 | -1.29% | 18.49% | $4,491,487,823 |
Information current as of 6:10 AM PDT, Tuesday, July 11, 2022. Source: https://coinmarketcap.com/
Check us out at https://beaconrwa.com and our affiliated websites at https://reverse-mortgages.us and https://socialsecurityquestionsanswered4u.com.
Sources: Ryan Long, CFA, FocusPoint Solutions, American Association for Individual Investors (AAII), Associated Press, Barclays Capital, Bloomberg, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, FactSet, Financial Times, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Asset Management, Marketfield Asset Management, Morgan Stanley, MSCI, Morningstar, Northern Trust, Oppenheimer Funds, PIMCO, Standard & Poorâs, StockCharts.com, The Conference Board, Thomson Reuters, T. Rowe Price, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Federal Reserve, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post. Index performance is shown as total return, which includes dividends, with the exception of MSCI-EM, which is quoted as price return/excluding dividends. Performance for the MSCI-EAFE and MSCI-EM indexes is quoted in U.S. Dollar investor terms.
The information above has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but no representation is made as to its completeness, accuracy or timeliness. All information and opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. Information provided in this report is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, investment, legal or tax advice; and does not constitute an offer, or a solicitation of any offer, to buy or sell any security, investment or other product. FocusPoint Solutions, Inc. is a registered investment advisor.
Notes key: (+) positive/encouraging development, (0) neutral/inconclusive/no net effect, (-) negative/discouraging development.