I’m not sure who I borrowed the title of this week’s missive from, but I think we all have to admit that this is probably the best recession/slowdown ever!
Instead of the economy flirting with negative growth in the first quarter, which, if you will recall, had become the common expectation as the calendar was flipping from 2018 to 2019, we learned Friday that Q1 GDP came in well above expectations at 3.2%. This despite the now long-forgotten government shutdown subtracting approximately 0.3% from the total. Wow, talk about a surprise to the upside.
Instead of the U.S. succumbing to what has become a widely recognized global slowdown, which for the record, appears to be, at the very least, entering a bottoming phase, our economy put in the best first quarter in four years.
Instead of the much ballyhooed “earnings recession” that so many have been calling for in Q1, Corporate America appears to be doing what it does best – make money. Oh, and according to CNBC, 77% of S&P 500 companies reporting so far have beaten earnings estimates and 56% have exceeded analysts’ expectations on the revenue side.
Yes, the earnings season is still young and the current “beat rates” are a far cry from some of the recent earnings parades, that can only be described as gangbusters. But given that the current beat rates are said to be largely in line with historical norms, investors will take this kind of a slowdown any day of the week.
Instead of the stock market fretting about the recession and the earnings decline that everyone was calling for a couple months back, both the NASDAQ and the S&P 500 hit fresh new all-time highs last week. This has left the bears frustrated and wondering what the heck happened to that “retest” that everyone was so sure of back in January and February.
Speaking of our furry friends, the folks wearing their bear caps are quick to point out that Friday’s GDP report wasn’t all lollipops and rainbows. No, it turns out that the consumer spending and capex (business capital expenditures) components of the GDP report were surprisingly weak. For example, personal consumption expenditures (aka the all-important PCE) posted a 1.2% annual gain, which is a punk number to say the least, and the weakest reading in a year.
On the business front, capex rose at a 2.7% annual rate, which, according to Ned Davis Research, was half the pace of the previous quarter.
Oh, and residential investment actually fell at a 2.8% rate, which marks the fifth consecutive decline.
Stocks Up. Bond Yields Down. Wait, what?
The above referenced batch of weaker-than expected data from the GDP report likely was responsible for the drop in 10-year T-Note yields. I know what you are thinking; how can stocks go up and yields go down on the same report?
The answer is simple. Different strokes for different folks/traders.
Headline GDP growth (which could always be adjusted in the next two months) supports the idea that the good ‘ol USofA is NOT at risk of recession anytime soon. And with the Fed, the ECB, China, and the BOJ all talking nice these days, stock market investors can look ahead to brighter days. Days without the threats of a hostile Fed and/or inflation.
Yet, at the same time, the bears are right to a degree as some of the data was definitely not lollipops and rainbows. Thus, yields fell as bond traders focused on the narrative that consumer spending is heading the wrong direction (a result of the government shutdown and Mueller turmoil, perhaps?) and capex wasn’t great.
Goldilocks Lives
But from my seat, the important storyline here is it appears Friday’s report can be placed in the Goldilocks category. As in not too hot to cause the Fed to change course (again). And not cold enough to create consternation about a recession on the horizon. Nope, this report was “just right” if you are looking ahead to sustained economic growth and an ongoing stream of corporate profits.
Some argue that this is not a “Party On Wayne” situation. Or is it? The S&P finished at an all-time high after the report. Inflation is not a concern. Rates remain low. The economy is growing better than expected. Earnings appear to be doing just fine, thank you. The current rally is hated by many and skeptics about the future abound (which is a good thing from an investing sentiment perspective). And I can argue that consumer spending will perk back up now that the government shutdown is a fading memory and the Mueller report is finally out. All good, right?
Yes, yes, I do understand that stocks are overbought and that the current pace of advance is unsustainable. I recognize that the “sell in May and go away” period begins next week. And I will certainly agree that a pullback of some form is due at some point soon.
However, the bottom line is as long as money needs to be “positioned” in stocks (See my review of Marko Kolanovic’s work on the subject here) the dips will likely continue to be bought and those waiting for the so-far elusive pullback will continue to be disappointed.
No, trees don’t grow to the sky. And a garden-variety pullback is to be expected. I’m simply saying if there is still a big batch of money that needs to be invested, the current “buy the dip – ANY dip” environment could persist.
And as far as slowdowns go, I too will take this one every time.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes. – Marcel Proust
All the best,
David D. Moenning
Chief Investment Officer
Disclosures
At the time of publication, Mr. Moenning and/or Redwood Wealth Management, LLC held long positions in the following securities mentioned: None
Note that positions may change at any time.
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NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are those of Mr. David Moenning and may not actually come to pass. Mr. Moenning’s opinions and viewpoints regarding the future of the markets should not be construed as investment recommendations. The analysis and information in this report is for informational purposes only. No part of the material presented in this report is intended as an investment recommendation or investment advice. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation to purchase or sell securities or any investment program.
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