The Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service? Each year Americans across the country use MLK Day of Service as an opportunity to volunteer and improve their communities. Want to learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service, visit United We Serve.
Important Reminder: January 16, VNFA offices will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
On Friday, a solid jobs report by the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) pushed equity on bond markets higher as investors hung new hopes for an economic soft landing in 2023 rather than a Fed-induced recession. The economy added 223,000 jobs in December, beating consensus expectations and continuing the string of strong payroll gains. Further, job openings, a measure the Fed pays close attention to, stayed elevated. For the week ended January 6, 2023, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index closed higher by +1.5%, while the NASDAQ moved higher by +1.0%. Lastly, the 10-year US Treasury fell a stunning 24 basis points to close the week at 3.55%.
Economy
As mentioned, the BLS reported a strong number of jobs, and job openings also remained elevated. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, presenting yet another piece of stubborn employment data. Chart 1 below from Valley National Financial Advisors and Y Charts shows job openings are elevated and elevated not just from the pandemic period of 2020 but also from the pre-pandemic period before 2020. Although many companies are announcing job cuts, especially in technology (Amazon) and banking (Goldman), these industries also hired many employees during and after the pandemic, giving them reasonable amounts of job cuts to make without impacting the overall employment picture. The combination of elevated job openings and low unemployment dims the prospects for a hard landing (aka recession) in 2023.
Policy and Politics
Republican Representative Kevin McCarthy was elected Speaker of the House in a near-record set of 15 elections before the conclusion on January 7, 2023. The election was less critical than the November 2022 election. At that point, the Republicans took control of the US House of Representatives and thereby set a firmly divided government in place for at least two years. Historically, markets like a divided government for the sole reason that nothing drastic can happen that would impact the business environment. It is too early to see which direction our divided government will take, but we take solace in the fact that there are strong checks and balances.
What to Watch
Markets are off to a good start thus far in 2023. Still, a week does not make a year, and uncertainty remains with the Fed, China’s reopening, the Russia/Ukraine War, ongoing painful inflation, and the long-running inverted yield curve in the U.S. Treasury market has historically preceded a recession. In the face of this uncertainty, we have conflicting employment information that shows layoffs by many companies while job openings remain high and unemployment remains low. Inflation continues to be the Fed’s primary concern, and we expect further rate hikes in 2023. We also expect the pace, tenor, and size of those rate hikes to soften as Chairman Powell balances higher rates with inflation and prospects for a recession. Lastly, wage growth, while moderate recently, is keeping consumers healthy. When you add in bank balance sheet health and corporate earnings growing modestly, it is difficult to see a recession in 2023 and much easier to see the hoped-for “Soft Landing.”
THE NUMBERS
The 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 |
NEUTRAL |
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.2 percent in the third quarter of 2022, in contrast to a decrease of 0.6 percent in the second quarter. The increase in the third quarter primarily reflected increases in exports and consumer spending that were partly offset by a decrease in housing investment. The estimated growth rate for Q4 2022 Real GDP is now 3.8%. |
|
CORPORATE EARNINGS |
NEUTRAL |
The earnings growth rate for Q3 2022 was 2.4%. For Q4 2022, earnings are expected to decline by -4.1%, down from the previous estimate of -2.8%. This would be the first negative growth since Q3 2020 (-5.7%). So far, 20 S&P 500 companies have reported earnings, with 15 companies beating EPS estimates and 13 beating revenue expectations. |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
NEUTRAL |
U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls for December 2022 increased by 223,000, and the unemployment rate fell slightly to 3.5% from 3.7%. Leisure and hospitality, health care, construction, and social assistance were among the sectors with the most notable gains. |
|
INFLATION |
NEGATIVE |
The annual inflation rate in the U.S. increased by 7.1% for November 2022 compared to the expected 7.3% — showing some continued signs of deceleration. Core CPI was also reported below expectations at 6.0% versus the estimated 6.1%. Although energy prices have come down, energy, along with food and shelter, are still the main contributors to inflation. December inflation data is set to be released this Thursday, 01/12. |
|
FISCAL POLICY |
NEUTRAL |
Senator Manchin and Majority Leader Schumer reached an agreement on the latest tax and energy bill with incentives for green energy, electric cars, and conversely oil & gas companies for exploration. No changes in private equity taxes or higher tax rates for the very wealthy were enacted. The bill has been officially passed by the Senate. President Biden announced student loan forgiveness of up to $20,000 subject to income limitations. |
|
MONETARY POLICY |
NEGATIVE |
Two weeks ago the Fed approved a 50 bps rate hike after four consecutive 75 bps hikes taking its target range to 4.25%-4.50%. Although the magnitude of rate hikes has been decreased, rates are likely to be kept higher through 2023 with no reductions until 2024. According to the FOMC’s dot-plot, the expected terminal rate is now 5.1%. |
|
GLOBAL CONSIDERATIONS |
||
|
GEOPOLITICAL RISKS |
NEGATIVE | Russia held controversial referendums for the annexation of four Ukrainian regions and the Russian Parliament unanimously recognized these regions as part of Russia. Ukraine and Western countries have condemned these actions by Russia by declaring them illegitimate and illegal.Additional sanctions are being imposed on Russia by many countries. |
|
ECONOMIC RISKS |
NEGATIVE | China seems to have abandoned its zero-Covid policy, which should help the global supply chain recover. On the other hand, the Russian-Ukraine war does not show signs of abating. Gas supplies from Russia to Europe have decreased by 88% over the past year, and EU countries have agreed to cut gas usage by 15% as gas prices have more than doubled. The U.S. is now dealing with a significant diesel shortage, with national reserves at their lowest levels since 1951 and a ban on Russian products that will intensify the issue. |
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.
1099 Tax Reminders
Once again, it is the time of year for small business owners, self-employed individuals, and rental property owners to consider your filing requirements. When you operate your business for a profit, the IRS considers you engaged in a trade or business, and therefore you are required to file certain informational returns. Information relating specifically to Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation, can be found at https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1099mec.
Form 1099-NEC is due to the recipient and IRS by January 31, using either paper or electronic filing procedures. Form 1099-MISC is due to the recipient by January 31, and to the IRS by February 28 if you file on paper, or March 31, if you file electronically.
“New month, new intentions, new goals, new love, new light, and new beginnings.”- April Mae Monterrosa
Tune in Wednesday, 6 PM “Your Financial Choices” on WDIY 88.1FM. Laurie and her guest Jonathan Ritter CPA, CFP will be discussing: Tax Changes- The Secure Act 2.0.
Questions can be submitted at yourfinancialchoices.com during or in advance of the live show. Recordings of past shows are available to listen or download at both yourfinancialchoices.com and