Your Weekly Update for Monday, July 25, 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].
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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]
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Summary
Last week was a up week on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.95%. to 31,899.29 while the S&P500 ended up 2.55% to 3,961.63. The Nasdaq Composite rose 3.33% to 11,834.11. The annual yield on the 30-year Treasury fell 9.6 basis point(s) to 2.998%.
Economic data for the week included weakness in housing marketsāseen in disappointing results for existing home sales, housing starts, and homebuilder sentiment. The index of leading indicators continued a string of monthly declines, and jobless claims rose.
Global equities experienced gains again last week, with foreign markets leading U.S. Bonds fared positively as well, as long-term interest rates tempered, and foreign debt was helped by a weaker dollar. Commodities were mixed with metals recovering, but grains prices falling with higher expected imports from war-torn Ukraine.
Economic Notes
(-) The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index fell by -9.0 points to a further contractionary level of -12.3 for July, well below the positive 0.8 median forecast expected. While shipments increased, further into expansionary territory, new orders fell further into contraction (surprisingly, to the lowest level since 2009), and employment fell back, but remained in expansion. Prices paid and received both fell back sharply as well, but remained high, while delivery times improved. Reiterating the poor sentiment in the business community, expected business conditions six months out fell nearly -12 points to -19, which is the lowest reported level since 1979. Anecdotal commentary reported expectations for raising worker wages more than originally planned this year, in line with higher overall input costs generally.
(-) Existing home sales fell back -5.4% in June, for the fifth straight month, to a seasonally-adjusted annualized rate of 5.12 mil., which was beyond the -1.1% median forecast estimate. Single-family home sales fell by nearly -5%, while condos/co-ops fell by -10%. Regionally, flat results in the Northeast ended up the strongest result, while they fell most sharply in the West by -11%. The median sales price ticked up by 1.9% to $416,000, which represented a gain of over 13% year-over-year. The monthsā supply of homes increased by 0.4 to 3.0āthe highest level in a few years. The supply/demand balance has appeared to improve, but affordability remains a significant challenge with mortgage interest rates still nearly two times where they were a few months ago.
(-) Housing starts for June fell by -2.0% to a seasonally-adjusted annualized rate of 1.559 mil. units, below expectations calling for a 2.0% increase. Under the hood, single family led the downturn by dropping -8% (to the lowest level in two years), while multi-family starts rose 10% for the month, continuing a run of strength. Regionally, results were mixed, with declines in the Midwest and South, but increases in the Northeast and West. Building permits declined by -0.6%, which outperformed the median forecast decline of -2.7%. In a similar pattern to starts, single-family fell -8%, while multi-family rose 12%. Over the past year, the picture has also been mixed, with single-family starts down -16% while multi-family are up 16% (permits up 26%). The multi-family group is much more cyclical, and has been on a tear during the pandemic recovery, so could be more vulnerable to cracks in demand as well as higher interest rates, which can be challenging for construction firms and developers.
(-) The NAHB housing market index fell by -12 points to a level of 55 in July, far below consensus estimates calling for a mere -2 pt. drop to 65. This was the largest single-month decline other than Apr. 2020 in the early pandemic. All segments, current sales, future sales, and prospective buyer traffic, all fell back sharply by roughly the same amount. Every region also fell, led by the West and South in the double-digits. Although the survey is fairly simple, with only stats and no qualitative content, the NAHB reiterated the assumption that higher financing rates have put a sharp damper on activity.
(-) The Conference Boardās Index of Leading Economic Indicators for June fell by -0.8%, continuing a string of four straight declines. The result was led by consumer pessimism about upcoming business conditions, rising jobless claims, weaker stock prices, and lower manufacturing new orders. On the other hand, the coincident economic indicator index rose 0.2%, and lagging index rose 0.8%. The divergence can be interpreted as conditions not looking highly suggestive of a recession this quarter, but future conditions seem to be bringing one closer. However, per the second chart showing year-over-year changes below, conditions are far from dire, and weāve experienced decelerations and mid-cycle slowdowns before without entering recession. Hence, the continued market confusion.
(-) Initial jobless claims for the Jul. 16 ending week ticked up by another 7k to 251k, above the 240k consensus estimate. Continuing claims for the Jul. 9 week rose by a more dramatic 51k to 1.384 mil., above the 1.340 mil. median forecast. Despite the headline, a 20k rise in claims in MA accounted for the majority, while several other large states reported declines of a few thousand each. As weāve seen in recent weeks, claims are beginning to tick higher (to levels last seen in Nov. 2021), but from an extreme low base where further improvement was less likely. However, the overall environment remains benign, so the pace of deterioration will be more closely watched in coming months, due to the historical correlation between rising jobless claims and economic downturns.
Market Notes
| Period ending 7/22/2022 | 1 Week (%) | YTD (%) |
| DJIA | 2.00 | -11.24 |
| S&P 500 | 2.57 | -16.17 |
| NASDAQ | 3.33 | -24.05 |
| Russell 2000 | 3.59 | -18.96 |
| MSCI-EAFE | 4.43 | -17.31 |
| MSCI-EM | 3.00 | -18.16 |
| Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate | 1.17 | -8.74 |
| 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 |
| 7/15/2022 | 2.37 | 3.13 | 3.05 | 2.93 | 3.10 |
| 7/22/2022 | 2.49 | 2.98 | 2.87 | 2.77 | 3.00 |
U.S. stocks fared positively again, with lackluster economic data pointing to the idea the Fed may not need to raise rates as aggressively as feared (such as an upcoming week increase of potentially 0.75% rather than 1.00%), as well as continued negative sentiment being indicated by low equity ownership and high cash levels, pointing to a potential turnaround. After a positive start Monday, stocks turned mildly negative upon a report that Apple is slowing hiring. In fact, this is how recessions can become self-fulfilling, with companies not wanting to be left holding the bag, so begin the pare back first. The Senate vote in favor of the Chips for America Act, which provides $52 bil. in domestic subsidies for computer chip foundry production and tax credits, boosted tech stocks (notably semiconductors) early in the week.
By sector, consumer discretionary stocks led, with gains of nearly 7%, followed by industrials and materials. Laggards included the normal defensive sectors health care and utilities, which earned minor declines. Real estate gained around 3%, with the help from lower interest rates.
The continued question is: what about earnings? So far, responses have been largely individualized by company, with some better than expected and some worse. With equity price multiples having already declined, earnings expectations would be the natural next phase to potentially conclude the bear market, but such downward revisions have not yet occurred. This isnāt to say they wonāt occur later in the Q2 reporting, or in Q3 or Q4. We just havenāt seen the extreme negativity in earnings so far, although sentiment from surveys, such as fund managers, remains very bearishāin fact, as much so or more than in 2008. Of course, this would be seen as a bullish sign for risk-taking, when doing so seems like an unpopular idea. Another sign of contrarian optimism is the fact that institutional short positions have moved to very high levelsāreminiscent of prior pullbacks, seen twice a decade or soāand often followed by recoveries.
Foreign stocks slightly better than those in the U.S., with help from a weaker dollar. Europe and Japan outperformed the U.K. and emerging markets, with European sentiment helped by Russian natural gas shipments resuming. In EM, several larger index members performed well, but were held back by flattish returns in Brazil and China. Chinese policymakers attempted to reduce stimulus expectations, in order to avoid financial excesses, while GDP expectations were also in doubt. Concern remains over the handling and continued high debt levels in the Chinese real estate development sector.
The ECB raised interest rates by 0.50%, more than the expected 0.25%, which remained controversial due to the even more fragile forces in Europe between inflation and slowing economic growth (tenuous due to high energy price concerns). The other component challenging the ECB is the recent widening of spreads in Italy, which has happened frequently in the past when investors feel less comfortable with risk-taking, due to their higher debt load. However, for ECB policy to work smoothly, too-wide spreads between member countriesā bonds can be problematic, hence the āanti-fragmentationā measures to help tighten these differences.
U.S. bonds fared positively, as longer-term treasury yields reached their lowest levels in two months. High yield fared better than the rest of the pack, in keeping with stronger equity results. Foreign bonds were helped by an over -1% drop in the value of USD, particularly in emerging markets.
Commodities were mixed on the week, as gains in industrial metals and energy offset a decline in agricultural prices. The price of crude oil fell by -3% to just under $95/barrel, with demand still threatened by recession fears and higher supplies. Natural gas prices rose over 15% Gas appeared to be flowing again through the European Nord Stream pipeline, which led to improved market sentimentāas worst case scenarios could be avertedābut heat waves in the U.S. and Europe drove demand sharply higher. Grain prices fell back after a Ukraine-Russia export deal was signed to allow shipments to nations in dire need, in efforts to reduce the potential for a global food crisis.
Mortgage Rates
āThe housing market remains sluggish as mortgage rates inch up for a second consecutive week,ā said Sam Khater, Freddie Macās Chief Economist. āConsumer concerns about rising rates, inflation and a potential recession are manifesting in softening demand. As a result of these factors, we expect house price appreciation to moderate noticeably.ā
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgageĀ averaged 5.54% with an average 0.8 point as of July 21, 2022, up from last week when it averaged 5.51%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 2.78%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgageĀ averaged 4.75% with an average 0.8 point, up from last week when it averaged 4.67%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.12%.
The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgageĀ (ARM) averaged 4.31% with an average 0.3 point,Ā down from last week when it averaged 4.35%. A year ago at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.49%.
Freddie Macās Primary Mortgage Market SurveyĀ® 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 | 21980.82 | -2.34% | -1.07% | $419,587,209,609 |
| ETH | Ethereum | 1534.76 | -2.93% | 3.73% | $186,456,879,612 |
| BNB | BNB | 256.08 | -2.09% | -2.00% | $41,265,360,497 |
| XRP | XRP | 0.3465 | -4.02% | -4.83% | $16,749,550,145 |
| ADA | Cardano | 0.4937 | -5.83% | 0.74% | $16,627,899,960 |
| SOL | Solana | 38.84 | -3.76% | -7.30% | $13,433,429,273 |
| DOGE | Dogecoin | 0.0652 | -4.12% | -1.76% | $8,650,513,743 |
| DOT | Polkadot | 7.11 | -3.87% | -5.09% | $7,020,872,648 |
| MATIC | Polygon | 0.8321 | -3.44% | -8.17% | $6,646,852,776 |
| AVAX | Avalanche | 22.22 | -6.56% | -6.43% | $6,305,488,612 |
| SHIB | Shiba Inu | 0.0000113 | -3.29% | 0.61% | $6,204,657,445 |
| TRX | TRON | 0.06522 | -2.74% | -6.59% | $6,028,670,570 |
| WBTC | Wrapped Bitcoin | 21960.31 | -2.53% | -1.08% | $5,190,371,085 |
| UNI | Uniswap | 6.88 | -0.98% | -4.51% | $5,045,185,333 |
| LEO | UNUS SED LEO | 5.09 | -1.86% | -2.70% | $4,851,279,283 |
| LTC | Litecoin | 56.59 | -1.63% | -2.63% | $4,006,667,011 |
Information current as of 6:00 AM PDT, Monday, July 25, 2022. Source: https://coinmarketcap.com/
Check us out at https://beaconrwa.com and our affiliated websites atĀ 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 & Poorās, 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.