“In the short run, the market is a voting machine. In the long run, it is a weighing machine.” -Benjamin Graham
It’s Getting Hot In Here…
January’s U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report came in hotter than expected. This gave the markets pause as it further stoked fear that the interest rate cuts that the market expected were coming quickly, might actually be further off in the future. Using overnight index swaps as a proxy for market expectations, the 2023 YE expectations were that the Federal Funds rate would be 3.62% at the end of 2024 and 3.03% to end 2025. Those same market forces, just two months later are saying that we should end the year at 4.48% and 3.73% respectively. Expect that the CPI figures will be lumpy as some of the data (like housing) are lagged figures.
While this CPI print in mid-February did contribute to volatility in both the stock and bond markets, the stock markets recovered rather quickly as earnings have come in very strong. After losing about -1.36% on the news, the S&P 500 recovered 3.00% the rest of the month. In contrast, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (AGG) dropped 0.92% from February 12-13th, and only recovered +0.66% the rest of the month.
The major reasoning here is that stocks have delivered well on earnings expectations. Not only did corporate America deliver solid upside to estimates, but guidance was strong as well, keeping in line with the earnings growth of the last 20 years (+7.5%).
Watch Out For That Trap!
Stocks can remain cheap (or expensive) longer than most realize. Many investors might look at the stock market as “expensive” right now. They tend to think that now might be the right time to pare down on equity risk based on the rich valuations. The stock market is currently in the top decile for valuations, or more expensive than it has been 90% of the time. However, you can see excellent returns even at rich valuations.
What’s Reasonable To Assume?
It is reasonable to assume that markets can continue to climb higher. According to the N.Y. Fed, 3 year U.S. inflation expectations are at a healthy +2.4%. Energy prices have retreated meaningfully from their peak. U.S. Core CPI excluding shelter (which tends to lag) is up only 2% over the past six months, annualized. These are not numbers that should scare investors nor should they scare the Federal Reserve Bank from cutting rates in the not-to-distant future (thus supporting these rich valuations)!
From the Investments Desk at Journey Strategic Wealth
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