Meet Northeast Community Center – Team VNFA wants to raise awareness for our community partner. In order to continue providing programs and services to the community, Northeast Community Center depends on donations, grants, and fundraising events. While monetary donations are most needed, they also greatly appreciate donations in forms of food, office supplies, paper products, etc.
Food Pantry Products The NECC Food Pantry was one of the few pantries in the area that not only remained opened during the pandemic, but became more accessible to clients by expanding the operating hours and significantly increasing the amount of food available for distribution. NECC was chosen by Second Harvest Food Bank to be a “hub” for food during this unprecedented time. DONATE NOW:neccbethlehem.org/get-involved/ LEARN MORE: Meet NECC with Team VNFA(recorded event)
by Maurice (Mo) Spolan, Investment Research Analyst Stocks were mostly flat last week as the Dow, S&P and Nasdaq have now posted year-to-date performance of -7%, -0.4% and 15.7%, respectively. At present, the market’s focus is on the next round of fiscal stimulus, given that the $600-per-week unemployment benefits will expire on July 31. The GOP has proposed a plan that amounts to $1 trillion of support and is headlined by a one-time payment to Americans that begins at $1,200 and decreases according to income level. In addition, the plan would provide $100 billion to universities, as well as support for testing measures. However, the GOP is opposed to continuing the flat $600 weekly unemployment checks, because that quantity is often greater than what its beneficiaries earn in working wages. Therefore, the GOP contends, the unemployment benefits have discouraged individuals from seeking work. The GOP’s proposed unemployment benefit amounts to 70% of the working wage earned by its recipient.
Across the aisle, Democrats are lining up a support bill of $3.5 trillion. Democrats counter GOP concerns regarding flat-rate unemployment benefits by stating that more nuanced measures, such as those based on a percentage of wages, are overly complicated, and therefore, would not be effectively implemented within a useful time frame. Indeed, Nancy Pelosi remarked that the reason for the initial $600 flat rate was ‘simplicity’. Pelosi also added that the GOP’s unemployment plan is discriminatory, in that the government should not encourage individuals to return to work if they are afraid of getting sick.
When
considering that a $2.5 trillion gap remains between the parties, Mitch
McConnell noted that it is “unlikely” that a bill is passed prior to the expiry
of the current unemployment benefits. Mark Meadows, White House Chief of Staff,
suggested that the parties may attempt to agree on a shorter-term solution and
then resume dialogue at a later date. Democrats have rejected this idea. While
the disparity between proposals remains quantifiably enormous, both sides of
Congress are incentivized to provide some order of fiscal relief before the
August recess, which effectively marks the deadline for negotiation.
THE NUMBERS Sources: Index Returns: Morningstar Workstation. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Three, five and ten year returns are annualized. Interest Rates: Federal Reserve, Mortgage Bankers Association
MARKET HEAT MAP
The health of the economy is a key driver of long-term returns in the stock market. Below, we assess the key economic conditions that we believe are of particular importance to investors.
US ECONOMY
CONSUMER HEALTH
NEGATIVE
In June, retail sales increased by 5.4% month-over-month while new home sales were up 55% compared to last year, the largest increase in ten years, as consumers take advantage of historically low mortgage rates.
CORPORATE EARNINGS
VERY NEGATIVE
Q2 is expected to represent the low point of corporate earnings during this recession, with profits forecasted to fall 44%, the largest decline since 2008. According to Blackrock, U.S. corporate earnings are unlikely to intersect with the path that they would have taken, had COVID-19 never occurred, until the end of the decade.
EMPLOYMENT
VERY NEGATIVE
Non-farm payroll increased by 4.8 million jobs in June, led by the Leisure & Hospitality sector, as the unemployment rate declined to 11.1%. However, the unemployment rate remains historically high and is still 7.6% higher than it was in February.
INFLATION
POSITIVE
The deflationary environment created by COVID-19 should provide additional room for robust stimulus from both fiscal and monetary policy initiatives. However, we will be watching closely in the intermediate term for second and third order effects leading to a return of inflationary pressure.
FISCAL POLICY
VERY POSITIVE
Unemployment benefits, which have been instrumental in stabilizing the economy, are set to expire at July’s end. Though Congress is expected to pass another round of unemployment assistance, the size and duration of future benefits is unknown.
MONETARY POLICY
VERY POSITIVE
The Federal Reserve has supported asset markets with unprecedented speed and magnitude in respond to COVID-19. Monetary stimulus is perhaps the primary reason why equity markets have rallied over the three past months.
GLOBAL CONSIDERATIONS
GEOPOLITICAL RISKS
VERY NEGATIVE
The relationship between the US and China, the world’s two largest economies, was already weakened by the trade war but has deteriorated further as a result of Covid-19. Given both countries’ importance in the global economy, the status of relations between the two superpowers is worth monitoring.
ECONOMIC RISKS
VERY NEGATIVE
The impacts from COVID-19 were as swift and pronounced as any shock in modern times. Robust monetary and fiscal stimulus stabilized the system, and several measures of the economy improved in May and June. However, economic activity remains well-below that in 2019, and uncertainty remains very high.
The “Heat Map” is a subjective analysis based upon metrics that VNFA’s investment committee believes are important to financial markets and the economy. The “Heat Map” is designed for informational purposes only and is not intended for use as a basis for investment decisions.
Tune in Wednesday, 6 PM for “Your Financial Choices” show on WDIY: Retirement Planning
Laurie has returned to the studio which means she can take your questions live on the air at 610-758-8810, or address those submitted via yourfinancialchoices.com.
