Inflation Jitters

WEEKLY MARKET UPDATE – May 17, 2021

WEEKLY MARKET UPDATE – May 17, 2021

Markets fell this week after consumer data reignited inflation worries. On Wednesday, CPI data came in well over expectations, with headline inflation-beating the consensus by a factor of 4x. Core CPI didn’t fare much better, registering gains 3x larger than expectations. Inflation concerns showed up in consumer sentiment as well; the University of Michigan reading missed expectations, with inflation fears being the most influential contributor to the decline. In positive news, unemployment claims declined again, signaling that employment markets are continuing to rebound. In spite of the week’s data readings, the economy remains well-positioned to perform exceptionally in 2021 based on the overall macroeconomic position. New COVID-19 infections moved substantially lower again this week, with 7 day moving averages decreasing by around 9K a day over the prior week. The most recent infection data puts the moving average below 35K new infections a day and at the lowest levels since June.

Overseas, developed markets outperformed emerging markets. European indices were mixed, while Japanese markets returned negative performance for the week. Improving prospects against the pandemic as well as improved prospects for economic recovery should continue to help lift markets globally over time.

Markets were negative this week as investors continue to assess the state of the global economy. While fears concerning global stability and health appear to be in decline, the recent volatility serves as a great reminder of why it is so important to remain committed to a long-term plan and maintain a well-diversified portfolio. When stocks were struggling to gain traction last month, other asset classes such as gold, REITs, and US Treasury bonds proved to be more stable. Flashy news headlines can make it tempting to make knee-jerk decisions, but sticking to a strategy and maintaining a portfolio consistent with your goals and risk tolerance can lead to smoother returns and a better probability for long-term success.

Chart of the Week

Consumer sentiment took an unexpected dive last week, reflecting a loss of optimism surrounding the economy. Specifically, consumer prices have been skyrocketing, prompting inflation fears that haven’t been seen in years.

Market Update

Equities

Broad market equity indices finished the week down, with major large-cap indices outperforming small-cap. Economic data has been most encouraging, but the global recovery has a long way to go to recover from COVID-19 lockdowns.

S&P sectors returned mixed results this week. Consumer staples and financials outperformed, returning 0.38% and 0.28% respectively. Technology and consumer discretionary underperformed, posting -2.23% and -3.69% respectively. Energy maintains its lead in 2021 with a 40.24% return.

Commodities

Oil rose this week as crude oil inventories dropped. Energy markets have been highly volatile in the COVID era, but it appears that stability may be more of the norm given recent market fundamentals. Demand is still low compared to early 2020, but as vaccinations proliferate, lockdown restrictions in Europe, as well as the U.S., should start to loosen, helping support recovery. On the supply side, operating oil rigs are still well under early 2020 numbers, but trending upwards. In addition to supply and demand, a volatile dollar is likely to have a large impact on commodity prices.

Gold rose this week even as the U.S. dollar strengthened. Gold is a common “safe haven” asset, typically rising during times of market stress. Focus for gold has shifted again to include not just global macroeconomics surrounding COVID-19 damage and recovery efforts, but also inflation and its possible impact on U.S. dollar value.

Bonds

Yields on 10-year Treasuries rose this week from 1.5771 to 1.6284 while traditional bond indices fell. Treasury yield movements reflect general risk outlook and tend to track overall investor sentiment. Recently, expected increases in future inflation risk have helped elevate yields. Treasury yields will continue to be a focus as analysts watch for signs of changing market conditions.

High-yield bonds fell this week as spreads loosened. High-yield bonds are likely to remain more stable in the short to intermediate-term as the Fed has adopted a remarkably accommodative monetary stance, vaccines continue to be administered at high rates, and major economic risk factors subside, likely helping stabilize volatility.

Lesson to be Learned

“The secret to investing is to figure out the value of something – and then pay a lot less.”

-Joel Greenblatt

FormulaFolios Indicators

FormulaFolios has two simple indicators we share that help you see how the economy is doing (we call this the Recession Probability Index, or RPI), as well as if the US Stock Market is strong (bull) or weak (bear).

In a nutshell, we want the RPI to be low on a scale of 1 to 100.  For the US Equity Bull/Bear indicator, we want it to read at least 66.67% bullish. When those two things occur, our research shows market performance is typically stronger, with less volatility.

The Recession Probability Index (RPI) has a current reading of 11.02, forecasting a lower potential for an economic contraction (warning of recession risk). The Bull/Bear indicator is currently 100% bullish, meaning the indicator shows there is a slightly higher than average likelihood of stock market increases in the near term (within the next 18 months).

It can be easy to become distracted from our long-term goals and chase returns when markets are volatile and uncertain. It is because of the allure of these distractions that having a plan and remaining disciplined is mission-critical for long-term success. Focusing on the long run can help minimize the negative impact emotions can have on your portfolio and increase your chances for success over time.

The Week Ahead

Overall a fairly light macroeconomic events week is coming up, as noteworthy releases will include an updated Philly Fed manufacturing index and manufacturing PMI data, as well as building permits and housing starts.

More to come soon. Stay tuned.

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