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.
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US ECONOMY |
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CONSUMER HEALTH |
NEUTRAL |
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022 after increasing by 3.2 percent in the third quarter. The increase in the fourth quarter primarily reflected increases in inventory investment and consumer spending that were partly offset by a decrease in housing investment. |
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CORPORATE EARNINGS |
NEUTRAL |
The earnings growth rate for Q3 2022 was 2.4%. With 99% of S&P500 companies reporting actual results, the blended earnings decline was -4.6%. This is the first negative growth rate since Q3 2020 (-5.7%). Overall, 68% of companies beat EPS estimates and 66% beat revenue expectations. |
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EMPLOYMENT |
POSITIVE |
U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls for January 2023 increased by 517,000, almost three times the expected number of 187,000. The unemployment rate fell to 3.4% from 3.5% and is now the lowest in 50 years. Leisure and hospitality, health care, professional services, and government were among the sectors with the most notable gains. |
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INFLATION |
NEGATIVE |
The annual inflation rate in the U.S. increased by 6.4% for January 2023 compared to the December 2022 reading of 6.5%. This is the lowest CPI value since October 2021. Core CPI increased at a rate of 5.6% versus 5.7% in December. The primary contributors to the increase in inflation were shelter, food, gasoline, and natural gas. On the other hand, indexes for used vehicles, medical care, and airline fares decreased over the month. |
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FISCAL POLICY |
NEUTRAL |
A few weeks after taking control of the chamber, GOP lawmakers are pushing for austerity measures in hopes of improving the nation’s fiscal health. Democrats have responded with harsh criticism and stressed that they would not negotiate a deal with Republicans involving reductions of benefits. Meanwhile, the latest CBO projections show that rising interest rates and spending bills are adding to deficits as the U.S. is on track to add $19 trillion of new debt over the nextdecade. |
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MONETARY POLICY |
NEGATIVE |
Earlier this month, the Fed approved a 25 bps rate hike taking its target range to 4.50%-4.75%. Although the magnitude of rate hikes has decreased, rates will likely be kept higher through 2023 with no reductions until 2024. The FOMC has also reiterated its strong commitment to return inflation to its 2% objective. The next Fed meeting is scheduled for March 21st and 22nd. |
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GLOBAL CONSIDERATIONS |
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GEOPOLITICAL RISKS |
NEGATIVE |
While the Russian-Ukraine conflict does not show signs of abating, additional geopolitical issues have arisen between the U.S. and China and between the U.K. and the E.U. Secretary of State Blinken’s trip to China was canceled in the wake of the incidents involving Chinese spy balloons, which lead US-China relations to deteriorate further. The U.K. and E.U. are involved in negotiation conflicts over tariffs and freedom of trade. |
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ECONOMIC RISKS |
NEUTRAL |
Although the aforementioned geopolitical risks remain prevalent in everyday news, their effects on the global economy seem to have subsided. China abandoned its zero-Covid policy, which will have a positive impact on the supply chain and the economy as a whole. The European economy also seems to be healthier than expected, partly due to an unusually warm winter that has provided some relief from increasing energy prices. |
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.