Market moves across the month were to the south. Fixed income markets seemed to have a more drastic message on the monitor than that of equities.
Fixed Income: 2-Yr Treas Yield 4.16% | 10-Yr Treas. Yield 4.28%
Bond markets went for a reversal ride in October. After several months of falling rates, we began to see a pullback in the bond market as interest rates rose. The 2-year treasury rose 0.55%, while the 10-year treasury rose 0.54%. The good news is that while rising, the rates did not invert again. The long picture remains intact. We are still in an elevated rate environment with them more likely to drift south rather than north. This move may have been the result of predictions for a potential structure that would mean tariffs. This would reflect a higher inflation potential which would signal a slower path in future rate cuts. Additional good news is that while rates from 6 months on rose, shorter duration rates continued to fall. This bodes well for the normalization of the entire curve.
Equities: Dow Jones 1.34% | S&P 500 0.99% | NASDAQ 0.52%
While it was a down month for equites, the overall move south was not bad for the month. From the top of the market for the S&P 500 (10/18/2024) to the end of the month logged a 2.83%. This proved to be a mild lead up to the beginning of November. The nice part is that while a correction has not materialized, earnings season did, bringing the P/E ratio for the S&P 500 back down to 21.19.
Throughout the month utility stock did well until the last week of the month. A shifting towards Financial and consumer discretionary was underway. Neither of which are surprising given interest rates (favoring financials) and the fact that we are in the fourth quarter… I like to say, ‘Americans spend money they do not have on things they do not need’, AKA: holiday season!
Conclusion
Equities pulled back less than was indicative of the rate move on the bond market. The move there signaled more concern about higher rates for longer than equities chose to price in. The shift in rates seemed like a long-term change in projection, while short rates seemed anchored to FRB actions. The longer rage rates often can be equated to long range GDP expectations. If the view is that we would have stronger forward GDP in 5 years, then we see a stronger 5-year rate.
A Look Ahead…
Market responses in October could have been far more drastic than they were. We should feel fortunate that we got the October that we did. This still leaves a correction (a market fall of 10% to 19%) unattended to. The last one ended 10/27/2023. While stretched P/E’s from over the summer have become more reasonable, that’s been due to strong earnings. Those may continue in the short run, but moving into 2025 those might be harder to come by. It may very well cause a correction in the first half of the year.
~ Your Future… Our Services… Together! ~
Your interest in our articles helps us reach more people. To show your appreciation for this post, please “like” the article on one of the links below:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
If you would like to receive this weekly article and other timely information follow us, here.
Always remember that while this is a week in review, this does not trigger or relate to trading activity on your account with Financial Future Services. Broad diversification across several asset classes with a long-term holding strategy is the best strategy in any market environment.
Any and all third-party posts or responses to this blog do not reflect the views of the firm and have not been reviewed by the firm for completeness or accuracy.
The bears are firmly in control right now. Should it last or is there hope on the horizon?
Monday S&P 500 0.69% | NASDAQ 0.76%
The start of the week was a trading day of uncertainty. Markets ebbed and flowed, finally finding a footing late in the day. Markets ended up rising but not in a convincing fashion given last week’s sell-off. Anticipation is building towards Wednesday’s Federal Reserve Board Press conference.
Tuesday S&P 500 1.13% | NASDAQ 0.95%
Markets opened in the red and stayed in the red all day. The economic data on the day was positive which of course led to a negative market. Housing starts rose by 12% in August. More robust new home data actually signals a stronger buyer than was expected. The concern reinforces the idea that the FRB has to go further than they already have to create demand destruction.
Wednesday S&P 500 1.71% | NASDAQ 1.79%
The FRB delivered a 0.75% rate increase. They have two meetings left for the year and they anticipate 0.75% in November and 0.50% in December. The unemployment and inflation data would have to soften substantially for a milder move.
Thursday S&P 500 0.84% | NASDAQ 1.37%
Markets continued their retreat post the FRB rate hike on Wednesday. Interest rates continued to climb in anticipation of 4.5% by year end. Interest rates and prices move in opposite directions.
Friday S&P 500 1.72% | NASDAQ 1.80%
The fall on Friday was worse than its headline number represents. The S&P closed at 3,693.23, however it reached a low of 3,649.16. This is a break of the support level of 3,666.77, which was the close on June 16th. The fact that markets did not stay below support into the close is not necessarily encouraging. It will likely be surpassed within the next few trading sessions.
Conclusion S&P 500 4.65% | NASDAQ 5.07%
We have been told that this is not a recession given the strength of the consumer. The FRB delivered another blow on Wednesday to the consumer by raising rates to 3.25%, moving into restrictive territory. The move should help to quell demand, but it is not the last. 1.25% is still expected before year end, bringing us to 4.5%. The market’s behavior is telling us that if we are not in a recession, that we will be soon. Our current recessionary behavior is specifically not the depth with which markets have fallen; rather, the bear market rally with a retest of prior lows following. This is a behavior that is typical of recessionary environments. This means that we should see several bear market rallies along the way. It could come from corporate earnings, political transitions in November, or even the vaunted Santa Claus rally. Look for growth, but with subsequent pull backs.
~ Your Future… Our Services… Together! ~
Your interest in our articles helps us reach more people. To show your appreciation for this post, please “like” the article on one of the links below:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
If you would like to receive this weekly article and other timely information follow us, here.
Always remember that while this is a week in review, this does not trigger or relate to trading activity on your account with Financial Future Services. Broad diversification across several asset classes with a long-term holding strategy is the best strategy in any market environment.
Any and all third-party posts or responses to this blog do not reflect the views of the firm and have not been reviewed by the firm for completeness or accuracy.