Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of July 20th, 2014
July 20, 2014
Clarksville, TN – The retail sales and industrial production reports had similar stories – gains in June were disappointing relative to expectations, but figures for April and May were revised higher. These data (which are subject to revision) are consistent with a sharp rebound in economic activity in 2Q14 (following weather–related weakness in 1Q14), but also suggest some loss of momentum heading towards 3Q14.
The Producer Price Index and import price reports showed no appreciable pipeline pressures for inflation.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of July 15th, 2014
July 15, 2014
Clarksville, TN – Next week, the economic calendar picks back up. Retail sales are likely to be the highlight, boosted by stronger vehicle sales in June. Ex-autos, sales results for April and May were disappointing – so we’ll be on the lookout for a rebound (or possibly some revision to the previous figures).
Industrial production data and residential construction figures have some potential to move the markets – they should point to stronger growth in 2Q14.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of July 8th, 2014
July 8, 2014
Clarksville, TN – The June Employment Report was stronger than expected. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 288,000 (median forecast: +215,000), with widespread gains across sectors (April and May were revised a net 29,000 higher).
The unemployment fell to 6.1% (from 6.3%), although the employment/population ratio edged up only slightly (to 59.0%, vs. 58.9% in May and 58.7% a year ago – still suggesting plenty of slack in the labor market). Average hourly earnings rose 0.2% in June, up 2.0% y/y (the CPI rose 2.1% over the 12 months ending in May).
Frazier Allen
Second Quarter ends Strong, but Investors remain Cautious
July 2, 2014
Clarksville, TN – While the markets managed solid gains over the last three months, investors continue to measure their enthusiasm as the U.S. economy maintains a less-than-robust growth trend heading into the second half of the year.
After a hesitant start to 2014, the markets gained momentum as the winter doldrums gave way to slow spring growth. But ever-present concerns over the Fed’s imminent move to wind down its quantitative easing program and eventually raise rates again have kept stock market euphoria at bay.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of June 29th, 2014
June 29, 2014
Clarksville, TN – GDP growth was revised to a -2.9% annual rate in the third estimate for 1Q14 (vs. -1.0% in the 2nd estimate and +0.1% in the advance estimate).
Prior estimates showed that a slower rate of inventory accumulation and a wider trade deficit subtracted considerably from overall growth – the third estimate showed a somewhat larger subtraction of 3.2 percentage points from the headline GDP growth figure (Domestic Final Sales, GDP less net exports and the change in inventories, rose at a 0.3% annual rate).
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of June 22nd, 2014
June 22, 2014
Clarksville, TN – As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee left short-term interest rates unchanged, reaffirmed its forward guidance on the federal funds target rate, and trimmed another $10 billion from the monthly pace of asset purchases (to $35 billion starting in July). In the Summary of Economic Projections, Fed officials lowered their projections for 2014 GDP growth.
However, that was due entirely to the reported decline in 1Q14 GDP. Implicitly, Fed officials are expecting a 3.1% to 3.4% average pace of GDP growth in the final three quarters of 2014. The forecasts ranges for GDP growth in 2015 and 2016 were the same as the ones made in March.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of June 18th, 2014
June 18, 2014
Clarksville, TN – Developments in Iraq sent oil prices higher and undermined stock market sentiment. Note that oil price shocks are viewed as a restrain on economic growth rather than a catalyst for a higher underlying trend in inflation (as opposed to the 1970s, when they quickly fed through to wage inflation).
Iraq is one more concern to be added to the list of worries for the second half of the year. The stock market often climbs “a wall of worry,” but sometimes the wall wins.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of June 10th, 2014
June 10, 2014
Clarksville, TN – The economic data were mixed. The ISM surveys were consistent with improving activity. The trade deficit was much wider than expected in April, suggesting that next exports will restrain 2Q14 GDP growth to some extent.
The May Employment Report was “boring,” with nonfarm payroll up by 217,000 (vs. a median forecast of +215,000) and a net revision of -6,000 to March and April. The unemployment rate held steady at 6.3%. The trend in job growth has been relatively strong, but not so much that the Fed is going to take the punchbowl away anytime soon.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of June 1st, 2014
June 1, 2014
Clarksville, TN – The economic data were mixed. The estimate of real GDP growth for the first quarter was revised down to a -1.0% annual rate (vs. +0.1% in the advance estimate). Most of the revision was due to a slower pace of inventory growth, which ought to pave the way for increased production in 2Q14.
Slower inventory growth subtracted 1.6 percentage points from overall GDP growth (vs. -0.6 ppt in the advance estimate), while a wider trade deficit subtracted 1.0 percentage point (vs. -0.8 ppt in the advance estimate.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 25th, 2014
May 25, 2014
Clarksville, TN – Next week, the report on durable goods orders should reflect a decrease in aircraft orders and may be a little soft otherwise (possibly reflecting an impact from the late Easter holiday this year).
The estimate of GDP growth for the first quarter is likely to be revised lower, but the story shouldn’t change much (most economists are expected a strong rebound in 2Q14 GDP growth).
Frazier Allen
