CONSUMER SPENDING

A

Our consumer spending grade remains an A. Surveys of US consumers continue to indicate that the consumer is in a strong position, and recent GDP data provided further evidence of healthy consumer spending.

FED POLICIES

B+

Our Fed Policies grade remains a B+ after the Federal Reserve opted to cut its interest rate target by 25 bps following last month’s meeting. The cut was widely anticipated by markets, and if history is any representation, it is unlikely to be the last.

BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

B-

With most S&P 500 companies having reported earnings as of August 16, the EPS growth rate for the second quarter is close to zero. Despite the weak growth rate (which partially stems from difficult year-over-year comparisons), almost 75% of companies have beaten consensus estimates this quarter.

EMPLOYMENT

A

The US economy added 164,000 new jobs in July, right on target with consensus expectations. July’s report also showed that the size of the labor force (defined as those who are either working or actively seeking employment) grew to its highest level ever. The labor market remains one of the strongest components of the US economy.

INFLATION

B

Inflation is often a sign of “tightening” in the economy, and can be a signal that growth is peaking. The inflation rate remains benign at this time, but as the economic cycle continues to mature, this metric will deserve our ongoing attention.

OTHER CONCERNS

INTERNATIONAL RISKS

7

Following a re-escalation of the US/China trade dispute, we have raised our “international risks” metric back to a 7. Other key areas of focus for markets include the ongoing Brexit negotiations, rising economic nationalism around the globe, and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

CONSUMER SPENDING

A

Our consumer spending grade remains an A. Surveys of US consumers continue to indicate that the consumer is in a strong position, and recent GDP data provided further evidence of healthy consumer spending.

FED POLICIES

B+

Our Fed Policies grade remains a B+ after the Federal Reserve opted to cut its interest rate target by 25 bps following last month’s meeting. The cut was widely anticipated by markets, and if history is any representation, it is unlikely to be the last.

BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

B-

According to Factset, with 90% of S&P 500 companies having reported earnings as of August 9, the EPS growth rate for the second quarter is -0.7%. Despite the weak growth rate (which partially stems from difficult year-over-year comparisons), almost 75% of companies have beaten consensus estimates this quarter.

EMPLOYMENT

A

The US economy added 164,000 new jobs in July, right on target with consensus expectations. July’s report also showed that the size of the labor force (defined as those who are either working or actively seeking employment) grew to its highest level ever. The labor market remains one of the strongest components of the US economy.

INFLATION

B

Inflation is often a sign of “tightening” in the economy, and can be a signal that growth is peaking. The inflation rate remains benign at this time, but as the economic cycle continues to mature, this metric will deserve our ongoing attention.

OTHER CONCERNS

INTERNATIONAL RISKS

7

Following a re-escalation of the US/China trade dispute, we have raised our “international risks” metric back to a 7. Other key areas of focus for markets include the ongoing Brexit negotiations, rising economic nationalism around the globe, and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

CONSUMER SPENDING

A

Our consumer spending grade remains an A. Surveys of US consumers continue to indicate that the consumer is in a strong position, and recent GDP data provided further evidence of healthy consumer spending.

FED POLICIES

B+

Our Fed Policies grade remains a B+ after the Federal Reserve opted to cut its interest rate target by 25 bps following last week’s meeting. The cut was widely anticipated by markets, and if history is any representation, it is unlikely to be the last.

BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

B-

With 77% of S&P 500 companies having reported earnings as of August 2, the EPS growth rate for the second quarter is -1%. If that number holds up, we will have observed two consecutive quarters of year-over-year earnings declines for the first time since 2016.

EMPLOYMENT

A

The US economy added 224,000 new jobs in June, beating consensus estimates by a wide margin. We continue to view the jobs market as very healthy.

INFLATION

B

Inflation is often a sign of “tightening” in the economy, and can be a signal that growth is peaking. The inflation rate remains benign at this time, but as the economic cycle continues to mature, this metric will deserve our ongoing attention.

OTHER CONCERNS

INTERNATIONAL RISKS

6

On a 10 point scale, we currently assess the “international risks” to markets as a 6. The key areas of focus for markets remain US/China trade relations, the ongoing Brexit negotiations, and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

CONSUMER SPENDING

A

Our consumer spending grade remains an A. Surveys of US consumers continue to indicate that the consumer is in a strong position, and last week’s GDP provided further evidence of healthy consumer spending.

FED POLICIES

B+

We have increased our Fed Policies grade to a B+ after Jerome Powell commented that “a number” of Fed decision makers believe that the case for a rate cut in the near future has strengthened. Markets are expecting a rate cut this week.

BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

B-

As was anticipated, first quarter earnings revealed a tapering of growth. Expectations for Q2 earnings are also relatively low. However, this is largely a result of the fact that YoY comparisons are made relative to a historically strong 2018.

EMPLOYMENT

A

The US economy added 224,000 new jobs in June, beating consensus estimates by a wide margin. We continue to view the jobs market as very healthy.

INFLATION

B

Inflation is often a sign of “tightening” in the economy, and can be a signal that growth is peaking. The inflation rate remains benign at this time, but as the economic cycle continues to mature, this metric will deserve our ongoing attention.

OTHER CONCERNS

INTERNATIONAL RISKS

6

We have adjusted our international risks rating down one notch to a 6 following a recent cooling of rhetoric in the US/China trade negotiations. While new developments are still likely to create short-term volatility in markets, both sides have an incentive to reach a deal.

CONSUMER SPENDING

A

Our consumer spending grade remains an A. Surveys of US consumers continue to indicate that the consumer is in a strong position.

FED POLICIES

B+

We have increased our Fed Policies grade to a B+ after Jerome Powell commented that “a number” of Fed decision makers believe that the case for a rate cut in the near future has strengthened.

BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

B-

As was anticipated, first quarter earnings revealed a tapering of growth. Expectations for Q2 earnings are also relatively low. However, this is largely a result of the fact that YoY comparisons are made relative to a historically strong 2018.

EMPLOYMENT

A

The US economy added 224,000 new jobs in June, beating consensus estimates by a wide margin. We continue to view the jobs market as very healthy.

INFLATION

B

Inflation is often a sign of “tightening” in the economy, and can be a signal that growth is peaking. The inflation rate remains benign at this time, but as the economic cycle continues to mature, this metric will deserve our ongoing attention.

OTHER CONCERNS

INTERNATIONAL RISKS

6

We have adjusted our international risks rating down one notch to a 6 following a recent cooling of rhetoric in the US/China trade negotiations. While new developments are still likely to create short-term volatility in markets, both sides have an incentive to reach a deal.

CONSUMER SPENDING

A

Our consumer spending grade remains an A. Surveys of US consumers continue to indicate that the consumer is in a strong position.

FED POLICIES

B+

We have increased our Fed Policies grade to a B+ after Jerome Powell commented that “a number” of Fed decision makers believe that the case for a rate cut in the near future has strengthened.

BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

B-

As was anticipated, first quarter earnings revealed a tapering of growth. Expectations for Q2 earnings are also relatively low. However, this is largely a result of the fact that YoY comparisons are made relative to a historically strong 2018.

EMPLOYMENT

A

The US economy added 224,000 new jobs in June, beating consensus estimates by a wide margin. We continue to view the jobs market as very healthy.

INFLATION

B

Inflation is often a sign of “tightening” in the economy, and can be a signal that growth is peaking. The inflation rate remains benign at this time, but as the economic cycle continues to mature, this metric will deserve our ongoing attention.

OTHER CONCERNS

INTERNATIONAL RISKS

7

We have raised our international risks rating to a 7 as a result of rising tensions between the US and Iran, as well as the recent decision by the Trump administration to impose a sales ban on Chinese tech company Huawei. The ban is representative of the risks associated with the growing technology rivalry between the US and China.

CONSUMER SPENDING

A

Our consumer spending grade remains an A. Surveys of US consumers continue to indicate that the consumer is in a strong position.

FED POLICIES

B+

We have increased our Fed Policies grade to a B+ after Jerome Powell commented that “a number” of Fed decision makers believe that the case for a rate cut in the near future has strengthened.

BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

B-

As was anticipated, first quarter earnings revealed a tapering of growth. According to Facset, the blended earnings decline for Q1 2019 is -0.4% (with 98% of S&P 500 companies having reported). However, more than 75% of these companies have reported earnings that were higher than consensus estimates.

EMPLOYMENT

A

The US economy added 224,000 new jobs in June, beating consensus estimates by a wide margin. We continue to view the jobs market as very healthy.

INFLATION

B

Inflation is often a sign of “tightening” in the economy, and can be a signal that growth is peaking. The inflation rate remains benign at this time, but as the economic cycle continues to mature, this metric will deserve our ongoing attention.

OTHER CONCERNS

INTERNATIONAL RISKS

7

We have raised our international risks rating to a 7 as a result of rising tensions between the US and Iran, as well as the recent decision by the Trump administration to impose a sales ban on Chinese tech company Huawei. The ban is representative of the risks associated with the growing technology rivalry between the US and China.

CONSUMER SPENDING

A

Our consumer spending grade remains an A. Surveys of US consumers continue to indicate that the consumer is in a strong position.

FED POLICIES

B+

We have increased our Fed Policies grade to a B+ after Jerome Powell commented that “a number” of Fed decision makers believe that the case for a rate cut in the near future has strengthened.

BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

B-

As was anticipated, first quarter earnings revealed a tapering of growth. According to Facset, the blended earnings decline for Q1 2019 is -0.4% (with 98% of S&P 500 companies having reported). However, more than 75% of these companies have reported earnings that were higher than consensus estimates.

EMPLOYMENT

A

The US economy added just 75,000 new jobs in May, well below the consensus estimates as well as recent trends. However, monthly jobs data tends to be volatile, and it is certainly possible that there is a significant rebound in June (as there was between February and March). We continue to view the jobs market as very healthy.

INFLATION

B

Inflation is often a sign of “tightening” in the economy, and can be a signal that growth is peaking. The inflation rate remains benign at this time, but as the economic cycle continues to mature, this metric will deserve our ongoing attention.

OTHER CONCERNS

INTERNATIONAL RISKS

7

We have raised our international risks rating to a 7 as a result of rising tensions between the US and Iran, as well as the recent decision by the Trump administration to impose a sales ban on Chinese tech company Huawei. The ban is representative of the risks associated with the growing technology rivalry between the US and China.

CONSUMER SPENDING

A

Our consumer spending grade remains an A. Surveys of US consumers continue to indicate that the consumer is in a strong position.

FED POLICIES

B+

There were several central bank meetings around the world last week, and most of them were followed by dovish comments from policy setters. We have increased our Fed Policies grade to a B+ after Jerome Powell commented that “a number” of Fed decision makers believe that the case for a rate cut in the near future has strengthened.

BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

B-

As was anticipated, first quarter earnings revealed a tapering of growth. According to Facset, the blended earnings decline for Q1 2019 is -0.4% (with 98% of S&P 500 companies having reported). However, more than 75% of these companies have reported earnings that were higher than consensus estimates.

EMPLOYMENT

A

The US economy added just 75,000 new jobs in May, well below the consensus estimates as well as recent trends. However, monthly jobs data tends to be volatile, and it is certainly possible that there is a significant rebound in June (as there was between February and March). We continue to view the jobs market as very healthy.

INFLATION

B

Inflation is often a sign of “tightening” in the economy, and can be a signal that growth is peaking. The inflation rate remains benign at this time, but as the economic cycle continues to mature, this metric will deserve our ongoing attention.

OTHER CONCERNS

INTERNATIONAL RISKS

7

We have raised our international risks rating to a 7 as a result of rising tensions between the US and Iran, as well as the recent decision by the Trump administration to impose a sales ban on Chinese tech company Huawei. The ban is representative of the risks associated with the growing technology rivalry between the US and China.

CONSUMER SPENDING

A

Our consumer spending grade remains an A. Surveys of US consumers continue to indicate that the consumer is in a strong position.

FED POLICIES

C+

Following its March meeting, the Federal Reserve signaled to markets that it may not hike interest rates during 2019, and plans to halt its balance sheet reductions. The Fed’s future actions will remain data dependent, but the contractionary policies that have dominated the last two years appear to be on pause.

BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

B-

As was anticipated, first quarter earnings revealed a tapering of growth. According to Facset, the blended earnings decline for Q1 2019 is -0.4% (with 98% of S&P 500 companies having reported). However, more than 75% of these companies have reported earnings that were higher than consensus estimates.

EMPLOYMENT

A

The US economy added just 75,000 new jobs in May, well below the consensus estimates as well as recent trends. However, monthly jobs data tends to be volatile, and it is certainly possible that there is a significant rebound in June (as there was between February and March). We continue to view the jobs market as very healthy.

INFLATION

B

Inflation is often a sign of “tightening” in the economy, and can be a signal that growth is peaking. The inflation rate remains benign at this time, but as the economic cycle continues to mature, this metric will deserve our ongoing attention.

OTHER CONCERNS

INTERNATIONAL RISKS

7

We have raised our international risks rating to a 7 as a result of rising tensions between the US and Iran, as well as the recent decision by the Trump administration to impose a sales ban on Chinese tech company Huawei. The ban is representative of the risks associated with the growing technology rivalry between the US and China.