Your Weekly Update for Monday, April 10, 2023.
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Summary
Markets were mixed last week, with the stock market closed in honor of Good Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.63% to 33,486.29 while the S&P500 ended down 0.10% to 4,105.02. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.10% to 12,087.96. The annual yield on the 30-year Treasury rose 14.9 basis point(s) to 3.540%.
Economic data for the week included weaker ISM manufacturing and non-manufacturing results, while the employment situation report came in just above expectations, despite some slowing under the surface.
Equities were mixed globally, with flattish results in the U.S. and Europe seeing gains. Bonds fared well as weaker economic data pulled down treasury yields. Commodities rose upon early week news of oil production cuts, boosting prices in the energy space.
Economic Notes
(-) The ISM manufacturing index for March fell by -1.4 points to 46.3, beyond the smaller decline to 47.5 expected. This reversed a 1-month reversal of minor strengthening in February, and kept the index in contraction. Only one-third of industries reported growth in the month. Production gained a half-point, but remained in contraction, while new orders and employment fell deeper into contraction, as did supplier deliveries. Prices paid fell by -2 points just under 50, noting contraction as well, and reflected recent disinflationary forces moving into the manufacturing space (which is a positive in this case). Order backlogs also fell, which is often seen as a negative as it implies lower demand (as it does here as well), but after years of pandemic supply chain hassles, itās been seen a bit more positively. Based on qualitative comments in the report, it didnāt appear concerns in the banking system were being experienced or exacerbating the pullback in sentiment at this point, beyond slowing already happening. Aside from the signal for broader economic activity, ISM manufacturing remains a key marker for pre-recessionary trend changes in equity markets.
(-/0) The ISM services/non-manufacturing index in March fell by -3.9 points to 51.2, a bit below the expected 54.4, but remaining expansionary nonetheless. Within the report, business activity, new orders, and employment all fell by at least a few points but remained in expansion. Supplier deliveries fell by -2 points further into contraction, while prices paid fell to the lowest level in nearly 3 years (but remained in expansion). The stronger pace of non-manufacturing sentiment relative to manufacturing sentiment is reflective of the current environment, where consumers have gravitated from goods to services.
(-/0) Construction spending fell by -0.1% in February, relative to expectations of no change, although several prior months were revised higher by up to a half percent each. Private nonresidential spending rose by 0.7% as the sole positive driver, with private residential falling by -0.6%āin keeping with continued insufficient activity in homebuilding. This index is quoted in nominal terms; while cost inflation was flat on the month, it made a strong contribution over the past year.
(-) The government JOLTS job openings report for February came in at 9.931 mil., down -632k from the prior month, and under 10 mil. for the first time in two years. The strongest declines were in business/professional services (-278k), health care/social services (-150k), and transportation/warehousing/utilities (-145k); gains were most substantial in construction (129k). The job openings rate fell by -0.4% to 6.0%, while the hiring rate was down a tenth to 4.0%. On the separation side, the layoff rate fell a tenth to 1.0%, while the quits rate rose a tenth to 2.6%. This data continues to indicate a strongāalbeit slowingālabor market. Job openings are the easiest lever for companies to pull back on, relative to more difficult layoff decisions. Anecdotally, some companies appear less interested in layoffs relative to normal cycles due to the difficulty in finding skilled labor. To put this into context, last yearās data showed over two vacancies per each unemployed person, while now thatās just fallen to 1.7 vacancies per seeker. (This ratio has vacillated between 0.0 and 1.0 over the past 20 years, depending on where we are in the economic cycle.) Job openings have fallen by 2-3 mil. from peak levels, which is actually the largest decline in the seriesā history, recession notwithstanding.
(0/-) The ADP private employment report showed a gain of 145k for March, well below last monthās pace and the 210k expected. Services jobs rose 75k, led by continued gains in leisure/hospitality as well as trade/transportation/utilities. Goods-producing jobs rose 70k, with 53k in construction and similar gains in natural resources/mining. On the other hand, manufacturing jobs fell by -30k, along with declines in financial activities and professional/business services. Anecdotal commentary noted that employers have been pulling back on hiring relative to the pace of the past year, as well as seeing deceleration in wage growth.
(0) Initial jobless claims for the Apr. 1 ending week were down -18k to 228k, although the prior weekās claims number was revised up by a substantial 48k. Continuing claims for the Mar. 25 week came in at 1.823 mil., up 6k from the prior week, which was also revised up by 128k. Those huge revisions were based on the annual update to the seriesā seasonal factors. Very large distortions during the early pandemic, three years ago now in early 2020, caused some obvious odd and dramatic behavior in seasonal adjustments, which are normally more predictable. This makes the new data a bit more difficult to interpret for now until things āsettleā. On an unadjusted basis, initial claims came in at 207k for the Apr. 1 week, down -8% from the prior week, which continues to show a stable (low) level of claims activity.
(0) The March employment situation report showed decent gains, albeit less than in prior months, and just a shade below expectations. Nonfarm payrolls came in at 236k, just over the 230k expected, which included revisions in both directions for the prior two months. By segment, leisure/hospitality continued to recover, adding 72k jobs (50k of which in restaurants/bars), although at a decelerated pace relative to the last six months, and sector jobs remain below pre-pandemic levels. Gains were also seen in government (47k), professional/business services (39k), and health care (34k). On the other hand, declines were seen in retail (-15k), while segments such as construction (-9k) and manufacturing were little changed, and perhaps negatively affected by weather. Industry breadth deteriorated beneath the surface, showing subtle slowing in labor markets.
The unemployment rate declined a tenth to 3.5%, compared to no change expected. The U-6 underemployment rate also fell a tenth to 6.7%, as expected by consensus. Household employment in this measure rose by 577k. The labor force participation rate has continued to tick higher, but remains about -0.7% below pre-pandemic.
Average hourly earnings rose by 0.3%, on par with expectations. This brought the year-over-year increase down nearly a half-percent from last monthās pace to 4.2%, as was the annualized 3-mo. pace down to 3.2%āboth reflecting easing in inflationary pressures. Average weekly hours also fell a tenth to 34.4, also indicating slowing in labor needs.
Market Notes
| Period ending 4/7/2023 | 1 Week % | YTD % |
| DJIA | 0.69 | 1.62 |
| S&P 500 | -0.06 | 7.43 |
| NASDAQ | -1.08 | 15.79 |
| Russell 2000 | -2.65 | 0.02 |
| MSCI-EAFE | 0.47 | 8.97 |
| MSCI-EM | -0.27 | 3.68 |
| Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate | 1.12 | 4.11 |
| U.S. Treasury Yields | 3 Mo. | 2 Yr. | 5 Yr. | 10 Yr. | 30 Yr. |
| 12/31/2022 | 4.42 | 4.41 | 3.99 | 3.88 | 3.97 |
| 3/31/2023 | 4.85 | 4.06 | 3.60 | 3.48 | 3.67 |
| 4/7/2023 | 4.95 | 3.97 | 3.49 | 3.39 | 3.61 |
U.S. stocks began the quarter positively, but fell back a bit Tues. with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon noting that the banking crises was not over and negative ārepercussionsā would be felt for years to come, and the President of the Cleveland Fed expected rates to get to over 5% and āstay thereā. Both comments appeared to sour sentiment a bit. Otherwise, conditions were mixed with economic data coming in a bit below expectations. By sector, defensive health care and utilities saw gains over 3%, followed by energy with higher oil prices; the largest declines were seen in industrials and consumer discretionary. Reporting on Q1 earnings results will start in coming weeks, but expectations remain mixed. We donāt tend to see a recession without a decline in corporate earnings, but sharp earnings declines havenāt been priced in (beyond the -5% or so year-over-year drop for Q4-2022/Q1-2023).
In foreign markets, the U.K. and Europe saw gains, as fears of a wider banking crisis seemed to abate, while Japan and the emerging markets declined. In fact, industrial production in Germany unexpectedly rose, as did manufacturing orders, showing signs of economic life. Inflation also continued to decelerate. The Reserve Bank of Australia kept cash rates steady at 3.60%, pausing to reassess slowing economic conditions. This was taken as a sign of possible similar actions by other banks, including the U.K, which hinted that they may be nearing an end.
Bond prices saw gains, as headline economic data continued to deteriorate, causing yields to drop across the middle and longer end of the yield curve. High yield corporates were the only area to see declines. Foreign bonds saw a similar pattern, while also boosted by a half-percent decline in the dollar.
Commodities ended the week generally higher, with energy leading the way, and mixed results in metalsāindustrial metals down and gold up. Crude oil prices rose nearly 7% on the week to just under $81/barrel; however, natural gas prices fell back by nearly -10% again due to weather forecasts for April looking warmer. Markets early in the week were surprised by the OPEC+ production cut of over 1 mil. barrels/day to sustain prices, ārealigningā markets. Often, political movements lie behind the scenes, such as the assumption that the U.S. decision to not refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at lower oil price levels upset Saudi Arabia, when relations between the two nations have become more tenuous. Overall, in many commodities, concerns about slower economic growth continue to dominate, as opposed to supply shocks.
Mortgage Rates
āMortgage rates continue to trend down entering the traditional spring homebuying season,ā said Sam Khater, Freddie Macās Chief Economist. āUnfortunately, those in the market to buy are facing a number of challenges, not the least of which is the low inventory of homes for sale, especially for aspiring first-time homebuyers.ā
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgageĀ averaged 6.28% as of April 6, 2023, down from last week when it averaged 6.32%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.72%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgageĀ averaged 5.64%, up from last week when it averaged 5.56%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.91%.
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 | Volume(24h) |
| BTC | Bitcoin | 28288.82 | 1.23% | 0.25% | $547,172,675,352 | $12,639,632,860 |
| ETH | Ethereum | 1856.51 | 0.84% | 2.78% | $223,630,749,701 | $6,006,771,729 |
| BNB | BNB | 312.61 | 0.63% | 0.03% | $49,361,592,112 | $467,223,499 |
| XRP | XRP | 0.5049 | 0.17% | 1.97% | $26,086,146,113 | $679,269,881 |
| ADA | Cardano | 0.3872 | 0.40% | 2.50% | $13,461,866,971 | $191,262,862 |
| DOGE | Dogecoin | 0.08296 | 1.30% | 6.27% | $11,527,594,569 | $448,345,342 |
| MATIC | Polygon | 1.1 | 0.09% | 1.23% | $10,086,052,485 | $175,726,963 |
| SOL | Solana | 20.27 | 0.36% | 0.72% | $7,865,864,418 | $141,091,536 |
| DOT | Polkadot | 6.16 | 0.29% | 3.19% | $7,232,999,836 | $116,073,753 |
| LTC | Litecoin | 90.52 | 0.27% | 2.38% | $6,578,487,026 | $311,433,644 |
| SHIB | Shiba Inu | 0.00001091 | 0.22% | 0.88% | $6,430,477,401 | $121,529,985 |
| TRX | TRON | 0.06679 | 0.86% | 1.78% | $6,070,512,350 | $188,440,872 |
| AVAX | Avalanche | 17.52 | 0.68% | 1.49% | $5,713,832,381 | $91,953,357 |
| WBTC | Wrapped Bitcoin | 28321.9 | 1.34% | 0.13% | $4,278,039,756 | $75,840,975 |
| LINK | Chainlink | 7.21 | 1.27% | 1.35% | $3,726,276,219 | $117,573,838 |
| UNI | Uniswap | 5.87 | 0.30% | 2.14% | $3,388,292,146 | $52,823,916 |
Information current as of 5:20 AM PST, Monday, April 10, 2023. Source: https://coinmarketcap.com/
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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.