As 2023 concludes, markets have outperformed expectations, with the Nasdaq Composite up +44.2%, S&P 500 +24.6%, Dow Jones +13.8%, and Barclays AGG +2.5% as of close on December 28th. Even though stocks have done well in 2023, many remain below their all-time highs still, requiring more bullish sentiment to propel above past highs.

Amidst a holiday week, economic indicators presented a mixed outlook as stocks continued their rally. Existing and new home sales continue to show the impacts of higher mortgage rates, with sluggishness in both markets. December’s consumer confidence rose significantly in the month, however on the other hand, leading economic indicators for November declined, demonstrating a disconnect between current and forward-looking indicators

This week’s market saw a rally fueled by disinflation and a dovish Federal Reserve meeting, with the Dow Jones hitting an all-time high. The FOMC meeting indicated discussion of a timeline for rate cuts in 2024, projecting a lower-than-expected Fed Funds rate with three rate cuts estimated to occur throughout next year. CPI and PPI data came in as expected and demonstrated continued disinflation in November. November retail sales data also showed strength in spending from consumers, however general merchandise sales did fall for the third month in a row despite the increased holiday spending overal

Markets closed out November strong this week as equities rose alongside bonds. October PCE inflation data showed moderate inflation as expected, but consumer confidence remains low despite November’s slight increase in confidence as most consumers still believe in the possibility of a recession in the next year. Both new and existing home markets are weakening on higher rates, and the manufacturing industry continues to show some cracks. We look forward to continuing to monitor data as it rolls out.

While various indicators like inflation, employment, consumer spending, and consumer confidence, point to an economic slowdown, the key question is whether this trend will persist as solely a slowdown or escalate into a recession, compelling investors to be patient for more data to roll out.

When the Fed starts cutting rates, it will either come from a place of victory over inflation or out of necessity to stop the economy from a downturn. In either case, lower rates will probably be the push the residential real estate market needs to get out of its current gridlock, which will also impact future inflation.

This week, consumer credit data revealed increased revolving debt, like credit cards, as consumer sentiment has fallen over the past four months but remains higher than a year ago. Q3 earnings season, almost complete, has generally surpassed expectations, contributing to a more positive outlook for corporations.

In the week ending on November 3rd, equity markets rallied on signals from the Federal Reserve that the rate-hiking cycle might be at its end. Consumer confidence declined for the third straight month, despite other economic metrics showing a consumer that is still spending heavily.

This week marked a lower close for equities in the last full week of October, despite positive economic data and Q3 earnings growth. Third-quarter GDP exceeded expectations, primarily driven by increased consumer spending and government expenditures. September Durable Goods orders were strong, particularly in the transportation sector.

The Leading Economic Index raised ongoing economic concerns, while September Existing Home Sales declined from a year ago with a very modest gain in home prices. We also saw initial claims reach a 10-month low last week, underscoring the strength of the labor market.

In a week full of data, inflation continues to clock in above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, with September’s CPI and PPI indexes both coming in hot this week. Earnings look to be faring well so far for the third quarter, with 5% of the S&P 500 having been reported at this time, largely beating estimates. In other news, consumer sentiment fell in October, as consumers note continually higher prices, like we saw in the CPI. Overall, the economy looks to be in a pivotal position, with higher rates, inflation, and geopolitical risk being in the forefront of investors’ minds.

The first week of October came full of economic data and movements in interest rates, as equities saw large swings but ultimately ended lower. As of close Thursday October 5th, the Nasdaq Composite fell -0.66%, the S&P 500 fell -0.7%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell -0.94% for the week.

We closed out the month of September with a week for the bears, as we avoided a government shutdown and face the realities of a slowing economy. Consumers are feeling less confident in the economy, while new home sales came in slimmer than expected.

Other important economic data points provided mixed signals this week including bearish leading indicators, a slow existing home sales market, and strong labor data in initial claims. Overall, we remain partially bearish and partially bullish on this unique environment, as we see the end of the rate hiking cycle coming closer to an end.

Despite a variety of bearish inflationary data including CPI and PPI, we saw equity markets close higher for the week as of Thursday. Inflationary data rose more quickly than expected as energy prices weighed heavily on both consumers and producers in August.

Equity markets declined this week, with August’s ISM Services and Manufacturing Indexes coming in higher than a month ago. Initial jobless claims came in much lower than expected, and Apple faced challenges from Chinese iPhone restrictions on government workers. The upcoming September FOMC meeting is expected to maintain rates, but market sentiment could quickly shift with a surprise in August CPI data.

Currently, we are carefully observing the potential effects that these actions may exert on both markets and our portfolios. This vigilant monitoring will persist as the well-being of the banking system remains a critical component of the functionality of both the US and global economies.

Inflation continued to show disinflationary signs this week with July’s CPI and PPI figures coming in, as small & mid-sized banks were downgraded by Moody’s and surprised investors. Additionally, we saw that consumers are feeling more encouraged by economic conditions as seen in the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index, despite oil prices rising in July. In every economic environment, we look forward to continuing to monitor markets closely.

This week was a week for the bulls, with Consumer Confidence and higher personal spending demonstrating an optimistic consumer and Durable Goods Orders pointing to resilient industrial demand. Fed Chair Jerome Powell brought us another 0.25% rate hike in the July FOMC, as key PCE inflation on Friday pointed to a continued disinflationary environment.

During this quarter, the Federal Open Market Committee met twice, once in May and once in June. May’s meeting brought a 25-basis point rate hike, bringing the target range to 5.0-5.25%, while the June meeting brought the most recent Summary of Economic Projections from the Fed members.

n another month of disinflation, CPI, PPI, and PCE all made downward moves, as the Federal Reserve decided against another rate hike at their June FOMC meeting. Although data is slowly but surely moving in the right direction, the fight against inflation remains.

Our team of skilled analysts will diligently monitor economic data as it becomes available in order to effectively manage each portfolio across different macroeconomic environments.

One thing we have seen this week, is that uncertainty is certain in this economy, with the US avoiding a default on their debt at the last minute. At the same time, manufacturing indexes show that we may already be in a near recessionary environment, while over +300k monthly job gains in May tell a very different story. Every day of economic data seems to provide a different narrative of how the US economy is doing.

In all macroeconomic environments, our team of talented analysts will continue to constantly monitor economic data as it rolls out to best manage each portfolio.

We hope this stickier month of inflation data from April is more of an outlier and less of a trend, and we are hopeful inflation comes down as the lagging effects of higher interest rates ripple throughout the economy. If inflation does not calm down as quickly as we, the Fed, and many other market participants hope, we will monitor data closely and manage portfolios appropriately.

Author: Joe Maas, CIO, SPG Advisors, LLC QUARTERLY COMMENTARY Q1 of 2023 brought positive returns in both the S&P 500 (+7.03%) and the Nasdaq Composite (+16.77%), with a muted Dow Jones Industrial Average (+0.38%). Accordingly, Q1 saw a major shift towards growth stocks, unlike in Q4 of 2022, as the Russell 1000 Growth gained strong…

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