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 Investment Review/Outlook  Market Highlights Current Investment Outlook Stock Highlights
Investment Review/Outlook

Market Highlights

Economic

  • December consumer confidence rose to 108.3, above expectations as inflation came down
  • Retail sales fell 1.1% in December, with auto sales at 14.6 million units, below estimates
  • Non-farm payrolls in December increased to 223,000, above estimates of 205,000
  • Unemployment fell to 3.5%, with underemployment falling to 6.5%
  • U.S. industrial production fell -0.7%, in December, after a drop -0.2% in November
  • Housing prices continue to fall, as 30-year fixed mortgages rates stand at 6.2%
  • New home construction numbers were 1.3 million in December, above estimates
  • Existing home sales were down at 4.02 million in December, as mortgage applications dropped
  • U.S. manufacturing is contracting, with December ISM at 48.4, below estimates
  • Personal income was up 0.3% and consumer spending was up 0.1% in December
  • GDP was up 3.2% in the third quarter, and fourth quarter estimated to grow 2%

Inflation

  • December core inflation was 6.5% for CPI and 6.2% for PPI on a year-over-year basis
  • Crude oil rose to $81 off the recent low of $71, as China reopens
  • Inflation is starting to come down from its highs but is still above the FED target

Monetary Policy

  • The Fed increased the Fed Funds rate to 4.5% and the Discount rate to 4.5%
  • The Fed is expected to raise rates by 25 basis points in February and again in March
  • The Fed will continue to raise rates above 5% as inflation has remained stubborn

International

  • China has stopped its zero COVID lockdown, as riots broke out all over the country
  • Brazil had riots to protest the recent presidential election
  • The Dollar has come down verses other currencies helping countries around the globe
  • The Russian war with Ukraine continues as NATO support has poured in to help

Interest Rates

  • Ten-year Treasury yields rose from 3.6% to 4.25% and now stand at 3.48%
  • Libor, the inter-bank lending standard, is 4.81%, and is set to be phased out
  • Mortgage rates fell, as the 30-year fixed rate decreased to 6.2%
  • Yields on international debt have remained positive, ending the free money period

Earnings

  • Reported corporate earnings are beating estimates 67% of the time and revenues are beating 64%
  • 2022 earnings are projected to grow 4%, down from 8%, as earnings have been revised
  • Earnings have decelerated, as foreign exchange rates and higher interest rates take hold

Market Outlook

  • In 2022, the S&P 500 ended down -19% and the tech heavy Nasdaq market was down -33%
  • Market volatility remains as the Fed tries to find a terminal rate to bring inflation down
  • Energy, Industrials, and Materials were the best performing sectors
  • The S&P 500 is trading at 16.7 times forward earnings, below its 25-year average

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