Nicolet Wealth Management Monthly Newsletter 2.2.24
Economic Activity Shows Resilience
U.S. economic activity continues to defy expectations, as U.S. real GDP advanced 3.3% annualized in the 4th quarter, the sixth consecutive quarter above 2%. Growth slowed from 3rd quarter’s pace of 4.9%, but topped the consensus estimate of 2%. Once again, consumer spending accounted for the bulk of growth, rising 2.8% on healthcare services, food services and nondurables. Consumers also spent on residential investment, as growth has been concentrated in new home construction. However, the upside surprise was driven by trade activity adding nearly 0.50% to headline growth and government spending. For the full year 2023, the U.S. economy expanded 3.1%, up from 0.7% a year earlier.
Home Heating Costs Contained
Early January’s polar vortex sent natural gas prices higher, but a combination of larger stockpiles and warmer weather has eliminated the winter premium most expect at this time of the year. Despite the third-largest withdrawal ever from natural gas storage facilities, stockpiles remain 5.2% above the five-year average. Forecasts of warmer-than-expected weather into February has shifted gas stockpiles to remain abundant. Natural gas prices topped out around $3.31 MMBtu mid-January, declining to about $2.10 MMBtu to end the month.
Q4 2023 Earnings Season Kicks Off
Investors are looking for confirmation that company earnings are matching the resilience of the economy. So far, earnings growth is almost doubling expectations from a few weeks ago at 2.3% versus a year ago. Financials, consumer staples and industrials sectors have reversed early expectations of a decline, as nearly 80% are reporting higher earnings than estimates (above the near- and long-term average). Most notably, revenue has been the catalyst of better results, contrary to initial expectations of cost cutting propelling earnings growth. Technology remains the bellwether for the stock market, as earnings expectations have steadily increased over the last 3 months, while earnings for the rest of the market have dropped. Putting this into context, technology earnings growth is expected to be 16% year-over-year, up from a 2% year-over-year contraction just six months ago.
Mega-cap Stocks Take the Lead Again
Stocks reverted back to its 2023 trend after a brief burst in performance from small-caps late in the year. The S&P 500 index (large-cap stocks) returned 1.7% in January, topping performance of the Russell mid-cap index and the Russell 2000 index (small-cap stocks) of -1.4% and -3.9%, respectively. There are a few explanations for the performance dispersion, but a reversal higher in the 10-year Treasury yield for most of the month was the impetus. The technology, communication services, and healthcare sectors showed the ability last year to withstand higher interest rates. This year’s move in the 10-year Treasury yield (+0.3% from peak to trough) pales in comparison to last year’s 1.7% increase from peak to trough, although it is still notable that investors are finding solace in growth stocks during an upward advance in rates.
Federal Reserve’s Slow Pivot
The January Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, where Federal Reserve (Fed) members determine the appropriate stance of monetary policy, ended with the benchmark rate in a 5.25%-5.5% target range, unchanged from December. Most notable in the FOMC statement, a new reference was made with the Fed considering “any adjustments” to the benchmark rate from a previous bias towards a potential hike. Also, Fed chair Jay Powell noted that rates are at their peak for this cycle during the scheduled press conference. Despite the Fed’s preference for a slow pivot from tighter monetary conditions as inflation remains above target, investors still expect a 35% chance of a 0.25% rate cut in March.
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