The Independent Market Observer

Economic Risk Factor Update: March 2018

Posted by Brad McMillan, CFA®, CFP®

Find me on:

This entry was posted on Mar 9, 2018 1:02:43 PM

and tagged Economic Risk Factor Updates

Leave a comment

February’s data continued to be quite good. We saw improvements in many areas, particularly in employment, suggesting continued and possibly accelerating growth into 2018. Job growth jumped substantially, coming in well above expectations, and both consumer and business confidence remained at very high levels. Fed policy continues to be stimulative, and recent increases in long-term rates steepened the yield curve—often a positive sign. Overall, this month’s strong economic data indicates that the weakness at the end of 2017 has passed, although policy remains a concern, particularly around trade.

The Service Sector

economic risk factor

Signal: Green light

Business confidence remained at very high levels as the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Nonmanufacturing index dropped slightly, but by less than expected. The drop, to 59.5 for February from 59.9 in January, was above expectations and leaves the index close to the post-recession high of three months ago. This is a diffusion index, where values above 50 indicate expansion. This continued strength—after a pullbacksuggests that growth may be more likely to accelerate in 2018. Going forward, these levels of confidence should keep driving economic growth, leaving this indicator at a green light.

Private Employment: Annual Change

economic risk factor

Signal: Green light

February job growth came in at 313,000; adding to the good news, the January figure was revised up from 205,000 to 239,000. This was very much above expectations and actually took the annual growth trend back up, which is something we have not seen for several months. Of course, this level of job creation will not continue indefinitely. But the fact remains that job growth is accelerating in 2018, which will continue to help both confidence and growth.

Because this is an annual figure, the changes are slower and smaller than those we see in more frequently reported data. Overall, this indicator remains a green light.

Private Employment: Monthly Change

economic risk factor

Signal: Green light

These are the same numbers as in the previous chart but on a month-to-month basis, which can provide a better short-term signal.

As noted above, February was an extremely strong month and, after a weak December, is the second strong month in a row. Overall, job growth is certainly high enough to keep up with population growth, while the rise in the employment-to-population ratio suggests that people are moving back into the labor force. As with the other signals, this indicator remains a green light.

Yield Curve (10-Year Minus 3-Month Treasury Rates)

economic risk factor

Signal: Green light

The spread between the 10-year and 3-month rates rose a bit last month, as longer-term rates ticked up in the face of a combination of faster growth and the perception of rising inflation risks. A larger spread takes us further away from the trouble zone, so we are leaving this indicator at a green light. Future rate hikes by the Fed might narrow the spread further, which will be a key area of concern as we move into 2018. For the moment, however, the concern has moderated.

Consumer Confidence: Annual Change

economic risk factor

Signal: Green light

Consumer confidence rose further in February to the highest level since 2000, taking the annual change back up a bit. As with the other indicators, this indicator has both improved and remains well outside the trouble zone, so we are leaving it at a green light.

Conclusion: Economy growing, positive trends improving

All four indicators remained positive on an absolute basis, with jobs and consumer confidence showing substantial improvement. After a weak fourth quarter of last year, the trends have returned to positive territory, suggesting that growth may be accelerating.

Overall, conditions remain favorable, and the economy gets a green light for March.

economic risk factor


Subscribe via Email

Crash-Test Investing

Hot Topics



New Call-to-action

Conversations

Archives

see all

Subscribe


Disclosure

The information on this website is intended for informational/educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.

Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements that are based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based measurement of changes in stock market conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely held common stocks. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly in an index.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australia, Far East) Index is a free float‐adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index consists of 21 developed market country indices.

One basis point (bp) is equal to 1/100th of 1 percent, or 0.01 percent.

The VIX (CBOE Volatility Index) measures the market’s expectation of 30-day volatility across a wide range of S&P 500 options.

The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio divides the current share price of the index by its estimated future earnings.

Third-party links are provided to you as a courtesy. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided on these websites. Information on such sites, including third-party links contained within, should not be construed as an endorsement or adoption by Commonwealth of any kind. You should consult with a financial advisor regarding your specific situation.

Member FINRASIPC

Please review our Terms of Use

Commonwealth Financial Network®