Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 31st, 2015
May 31, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The economic data reports remained mixed. Real GDP fell at a 0.7% annual rate in the second estimate for 1Q15 (vs. +0.2% in the advance estimate). The revision largely reflected slower inventory growth and a wider trade deficit. Consumer spending rose at a 1.8% pace (vs. +1.9%), while business fixed investment fell 2.8% (vs. -3.8%).
There is currently a debate about whether the seasonal pattern in a number of GDP components may have changed post-recession. Unfortunately, we really don’t have enough data to say for sure.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 24th, 2015
May 24, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The economic data reports were mixed. Homebuilder sentiment declined in May, but residential homebuilding was stronger than expected in April.
Some of that reflects a rebound from bad weather, but it’s also a consequence of the high level of volatility in the multifamily sector (single-family permits were higher, but not exactly booming). Consumer price inflation remained negative on a year-over-year basis (-0.2%), but core inflation rose slightly more than anticipated.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 17th, 2015
May 17, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The mid-month economic data disappointed. Retail sales were weaker than anticipated in April. Industrial production fell short of expectations. Consumer sentiment slid in the mid-May assessment.
However, weekly claims for unemployment benefits remained remarkably low. The reports on import prices and producer prices continued to show disinflationary pressures.
Real GDP for the euro area rose 0.4% q/q (a 1.7% annual rate) in the flash estimate for the first quarter. Bond yields in Europe moved higher, but seemed to meet some resistance.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 10th, 2015
May 10, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The April employment report was in line with expectations. Details suggested: 1) a rebound from March weather effects; 2) some moderation in the underlying pace of job growth (relative to the very brisk pace of 4Q14); and 3) a very gradual pace of reduction in labor market slack.
Nonfarm payrolls rose by 223,000, while the weather-restrained March increase was revised down to +85,000 (from +126,000) – leaving an average monthly gain of 154,000 for March and April. The unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 5.4%. Average hourly earnings rose 0.1%, up 2.2% year-over-year (still lackluster).
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 6th, 2015
May 6, 2015
Clarksville, TN – GDP growth slowed to a 0.2% annual rate in the advance estimate for 1Q15, reflecting a variety of restraints (weather, West Coast port delays, the strong dollar, and a contraction in energy exploration), many of which are likely to be transitional. Consumer spending rose at a 1.9% pace (vs. +4.4% in 4Q14). Business investment fell, with “mining exploration, shafts, and wells” falling at a 48.7% annual rate.
Inventories rose more than anticipated, adding 0.7 percentage point to growth. Net exports subtracted 1.3 percentage points. Personal income was flat in March, but inflation-adjusted disposable income rose at a 6.2% annual rate in 1Q15 (which is likely to support consumer spending growth in 2Q15).
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of April 28th, 2015
April 28, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The economic calendar was light. Existing home sales were stronger than anticipated in March, but new home sales fell far short of expectations. Durable goods orders jumped 4.0%, but that reflected a surge in aircraft orders (which tend to be erratic). Ex-transportation, orders fell 0.2%.
Orders for core capital goods (nondefense and excluding aircraft) fell 0.5%, the seventh consecutive monthly decline. Unfilled orders (ex-transportation) fell further (not a good sign), while the inventory-to-shipment ratio continued to trend higher – both of these indicators bear watching, but neither is at a dangerous level.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of April 19th, 2015
April 19, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The economic data reports were mixed. Retail sales picked up in March, following a weak trend in the three previous months. Industrial production fell 0.6%, reflecting a plunge in oil and gas drilling and a decrease in the output of utilities (more normal temperatures).
Manufacturing output edged up 0.1%, with mixed results across industries. Building permits and housing starts fell in March, largely reflecting the usual volatility in the multi-family sector. Single-family permits, the key figure in the report, rose 2.1% (up 4.1% y/y).
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of April 12th, 2015
April 12, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The economic data calendar was thin. Stock market participants finally got their chance to react to the disappointing employment data for March (the report was released on Good Friday).
However, the negative response was brief, as the market opened lower on Monday and then quickly turned up. The markets seemed to be looking for direction through the week, but failed to find much in the early earnings reports.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of April 1st, 2015
April 5, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The economic data were mixed, but generally disappointing, consistent with first quarter GDP growth closer to 0% (growth is widely expected to pick up again in the 2Q15). Consumer confidence improved more than anticipated in March and motor vehicle sales picked up.
However, the ISM manufacturing data suggested a slowdown in the factory sector (likely related to the stronger dollar, although survey respondents continued to note West Coast port delays).
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of March 31st, 2015
March 31, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The economic data were mixed, adding little to the overall picture. Durable goods orders disappointed (again), with orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft (a rough proxy for business fixed investment) down for the sixth consecutive month. Unfilled orders are falling and inventories are outpacing shipments – both are bad signs, but neither is yet at a dangerous level.
Home sales figures were mixed. The third estimate of fourth quarter GDP growth came in at 2.2%, the same as in the previous estimate. This report included corporate profit data for 4Q14, which showed a moderate increase in domestic nonfinancial corporate profits, but a sharp drop in profits from abroad.
Frazier Allen
