Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 7th, 2013

By Frazier Allen | May 7, 2013 |

Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist

The economic data reports were mixed. The ISM surveys were on the weak side of expectations. Consumer confidence improved in April, but has remained range-bound with a low trend in recent months. The ADP payroll estimate for April disappointed, but the Employment Report was stronger than anticipated. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 165,000, better than the median forecast (+150,000), but more importantly, not as bad as feared. Payroll figures for February and March were revised a net 114,000 higher.

The unemployment rate edged down to 7.5% (from 7.6% in March and 8.1% a year ago) and for once that was not due to a decrease in labor force participation. The employment/population ratio edged up, but the trend has remained flat over the last few years. The April payroll figures helped boost share prices. «Read the rest of this article»

Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of April 28th, 2013

By Frazier Allen | April 28, 2013 |

Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist

The economic data were generally on the weak side of expectations. The advance estimate of 1Q13 GDP growth came in weaker than anticipated (at a 2.5% annual rate, vs. expectations of +3.0% or +3.1%). Consumer spending was stronger than anticipated at the start of the quarter, while business fixed investment rose more slowly than expected. Inventories rose at a faster pace, adding a full percentage point to overall growth. Government (mostly defense) remained a drag on overall growth. The PCE Price Index continued to trend far below the Fed’s 2% target (suggesting little need for the Fed to taper its rate of asset purchases).

Earnings reports were mixed, but generally with some caution in the forward outlooks. Relatively slow global growth isn’t going to help and fiscal policy has dampened the outlook domestically. «Read the rest of this article»

Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of April 21st, 2013

By Frazier Allen | April 21, 2013 |

Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist

The terrorist bombing at the Boston Marathon and news of ricin-laced letters mailed to elected officials did not appear to have a major impact on the financial markets, but they certainly didn’t help. The major stock market averages were volatile. Bond yields remained low. Commodity prices remained under pressure.

Economic data were mixed, but generally weak. The Fed’s Beige Book noted that anecdotal reports from late February to early April were consistent with moderate economic growth. The Index of Leading Economic Indicators edged lower. Industrial production rose more than expected, but that was due to a jump in utility output (colder temperatures). Factory output fell modestly in March, with strength in autos, but weak otherwise. Seasonal adjustment led to a drop in gasoline prices, pushing the headline Consumer Price Index lower in March, while core inflation rose modestly. «Read the rest of this article»

Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of April 14th, 2013

By Frazier Allen | April 14, 2013 |

Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist

The economic data were mixed. However, the key release, the retail sales report, disappointed. Retail sales fell more than expected in March, while figures for January and February were revised lower. Recall that the February personal income and spending numbers, released on Good Friday, pointed to a much better growth rate in consumer spending than had been anticipated earlier.

The retail sales report, in turn, should dampen the 1Q13 GDP outlook to some extent and reduce GDP projections for 2Q13. Consumer sentiment fell in the mid-month assessment. Jobless claims fell back, after having risen in the two previous weeks, suggesting that the recent moves merely reflecting some noise in the data. «Read the rest of this article»

Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of April 8th, 2013

By Frazier Allen | April 8, 2013 |

Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist

The economic data were generally disappointing. Nonfarm payrolls rose by a disappointing 88,000 in March (median forecast: +200,000), up 759,000 before seasonal adjustment (vs. +901,000 in March 2012). Payroll figures for January and February were revised a net 61,000 higher (adjusted payrolls average a 168,000 monthly gain in 1Q13, roughly the same pace as the last two years).

Mild weather in February may have pulled forward some of March’s strength, but the slowdown could signal a lagged impact of the payroll tax increase. The unemployment rate fell to 7.6% (vs. 7.7% in February and 8.2% a year ago), but this was once again due to a decrease in labor force participation (participation should be rising if the labor market is strengthening, as individuals are lured back into the job market). The employment/population ratio edged down to 58.5%, trending roughly flat over the last few years. «Read the rest of this article»

Stocks continue to rise in First Quarter

By Frazier Allen | April 5, 2013 |

Clarksville, TN – The three major stock indices continued to rise in the first quarter with the S&P 500 closing at a record high. Driving the S&P 500’s momentum were consumer staples and consumer discretionary stocks.

Since the S&P hit its previous closing high in October 2007, the consumer discretionary sector has gained 40.4%, while staples are up 41.3% – outperforming technology and financials. «Read the rest of this article»

Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of March 24th, 2013

By Frazier Allen | March 24, 2013 |

Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist

The “Crisis in Cyprus” dampened the U.S. stock market mood early in the week. Why is Cyprus important? Its economy is a little bigger than Scranton. However, like Iceland and Ireland, it has an outsized banking system, several times larger than the overall economy. Even a moderate contraction in the banking system can have a huge impact.

The biggest fear is contagion. The decision to tie aid to a haircut on deposits led to fears of runs on the banks in other countries, but there’s been little evidence of that so far.

There were no surprises from Fed policymakers. The Federal Open Market Committee did not change its forward guidance (on the federal fund rate target, still not expected to start rising until 2015), nor did it alter its asset purchase plans (still $85 billion per month). «Read the rest of this article»

Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of March 17th, 2013

By Frazier Allen | March 17, 2013 |

Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist

The economic data were mixed, but the stock market continued to focus on the good news and ignored the rest. Retail sales rose more than expected in February, but results varied across sectors. Industrial production picked up, following a weak January (results varied by industry).

The inflation reports showed some pressure from higher gasoline, as anticipated, and moderate core inflation. Treasury reported a smaller deficit than a year ago. Initial claims for unemployment benefits continued to trend lower. Consumer sentiment fell in the mid-March assessment, with a sharp decline in expectations (down to a 15-month low).

The Dow Jones Industrials Average continued to new record highs, up 10 sessions in a row. In contrast to the optimism expressed in equities, bond yields have remained relatively low.

Next week, housing figures have some market-moving potential, but February is not a “make or break” month for the sector (weather can have an impact). The March figures will be more important. No surprises are expected from the Fed policy meeting on Wednesday.

Officials have had a public debate about the potential costs and benefits of current policy and the settled view is that the benefits (to the labor market, in particular) outweigh the potential that we may see excessive risk-taking and financial instability. The Fed will release revised projections of growth, unemployment, and inflation. Note that the Fed policy announcements will now be made at 2:00pm. On the last meeting of the quarter, the Fed will also release revised projects at 2:00 p.m. and Bernanke’s press briefings will follow at 2:30pm.

Indices

Consumer Money Rates

Currencies

Commodities

Bond Rates

Treasury Yield Curve – 03/15/2013

S&P Sector Performance (YTD) – 03/15/2013

Economic Calendar

Important Disclosures

[320left]Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. There are special risks involved with global investing related to market and currency fluctuations, economic and political instability, and different financial accounting standards. The above material has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. There is no assurance that any trends mentioned will continue in the future. While interest on municipal bonds is generally exempt from federal income tax, it may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, state or local taxes. In addition, certain municipal bonds (such as Build America Bonds) are issued without a federal tax exemption, which subjects the related interest income to federal income tax. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss.

US government bonds and treasury bills are guaranteed by the US government and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and guaranteed principal value. US government bonds are issued and guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the federal government. Treasury bills are certificates reflecting short-term (less than one year) obligations of the US government.

Commodities trading is generally considered speculative because of the significant potential for investment loss. Markets for commodities are likely to be volatile and there may be sharp price fluctuations even during periods when prices overall are rising. Specific sector investing can be subject to different and greater risks than more diversified investments.

Tax Equiv Muni yields (TEY) assume a 35% tax rate on triple-A rated, tax-exempt insured revenue bonds.

Material prepared by Raymond James for use by its financial advisors.

The information contained herein has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Data source: Bloomberg, as of close of business February 28th, 2013.

©2013 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. member FINRA / SIPC.

Dow soars to new heights

By Frazier Allen | March 6, 2013 |

Clarksville, TN – At the end of February, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed just shy of its all-time high.

Less than a week later, the index fulfilled its promise, trading as high as 14,286.37 to break both its record close of 14,164.53, on October 9th, 2007, and its intraday high of 14,198.10, reached around the same time.

The index closed at a new high of 14,253.77. «Read the rest of this article»

Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of March 3rd, 2013

By Frazier Allen | March 3, 2013 |

Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist

Italian election results (a government in deadlock) dampened the party mood in equities. Bernanke monetary policy helped sooth fears that the Fed might end its asset purchase program earlier rather than later. Bernanke said that Fed officials “do not see the potential costs of the increased risk-taking in some financial markets as outweighing the benefits of promoting a stronger economic recovery and more-rapid job creation.”

Leaders in Washington failed to reach an agreement to avoid the sequester, but a deal could be reached as part of an agreement to authorize government spending after March 27th (which is when the current Continuing Resolution ends). «Read the rest of this article»