Special Update: Quarterly Report

Friday, September 28, was the last trading day in 2018’s 3^rdquarter, and the S&P 500 posted its strongest quarterly return in nearly 5 years.[i] The Dow also showed impressive returns by beating expectations for the quarter, while the NASDAQ notched record highs against 2017 numbers. For the quarter, the S&P jumped 7.2%, the Dow increased 9.3%, and the NASDAQ moved up 7.1%.[ii]

Weekly numbers, however, revealed mixed performances: the S&P 500 slipped 0.54%, the Dow fell 1.07%, and the NASDAQ gained 0.74%.[iii] Internationally, the MSCI EAFE dropped 1.07%.[iv]

As we learn more about the 3^rd quarter, some details from last week offer perspectives on where we stand today.

What We Learned About the 3^rd Quarter Last Week

Consumer outlook suggests positive trends continue.

A few early reports have given us a sense of positive trends in consumer activity during the 3^rd quarter:

Consumer sentiment rose in September to finish at healthy levels that beat August’s performance, marking the 3^rd time the index has moved above 100.[v] With personal income optimism hitting a 14-year high, the positive trend suggests that nearly every population group now benefits from the 3^rd quarter expansion.[vi]

Consumer confidence neared its highest reading since 2000, beating analyst predictions and inching closer to the dotcom’s record highs.[vii] This rise came after a surge in August, prompting predictions that spending strength will carry us through 2018.[viii] From sentiment boosts in the stock market to positive home-buying trends, consumers remain optimistic.[ix]

These numbers suggest healthy consumer outlooks, positive economic attitudes, and possible trends in increased spending.10

Companies anticipate softer profits.

Although corporate earnings in the 1^st and 2^nd quarters rose roughly 25%, 3^rd quarter corporate earnings may miss that mark. Of the 98 companies in the S&P 500 that have released earnings outlooks, 74 predicted that earnings will fall below expectations from Wall Street. This ratio is the worst since the earnings recession of 1^st quarter 2016.11 Even with the softer outlook, analysts still expect the S&P 500 to post numbers that indicate a growing economy.12

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth shows signs of slowing.

Core capital goods (not including aircrafts) dropped 0.5% in August after July’s negative performance—as demand for computers, electronic products, and motor vehicles waned. The shift prompted some analysts to revise their 3^rd quarter GDP predictions downward. Yet, with a bump in wholesale and retail inventories, overall 3^rd quarter growth remains in positive territory.13 The Atlanta Federal Reserve now predicts growth to be 3.8%, revised from an earlier prediction of 4.4%.¹⁴

Tariffs start to drag 3^rd quarter growth estimates.

The early effects of tariffs seem to have surfaced, as exports are now trending negatively. On September 27, the International Trade in Goods report posted numbers that may predict slower 3^rd quarter growth:

Exports dropped 1.6% in August, continuing July’s downward trend.
Imports rose 0.7% yet have so far posted a trade negative for the quarter.
The trade deficit hit $75.8 billion, yet analysts believe this gap will narrow slightly once more 3^rd quarter data emerges.15

If this trend involving exports and imports continues, the U.S. dollar may take a hit.16 Meanwhile, on September 24, President Trump added tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, and China responded with its own tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. products. Though negotiations between the two countries have stalled, we will monitor the situation.17

What’s Ahead

The Federal Reserve remained optimistic last week about the economy, raising the interest rate from 2% to 2.25%. The 3^rd increase this year is no surprise but does suggest confidence in a growing economy and low unemployment numbers, and that a 4^th quarter hike is highly probable.18

With new data coming in, we’ll deepen our understanding of the economy’s performance in the 3^rd quarter. If you have questions about how this may affect you or your financial life, contact us today; we’re ready and happy to help.

ECONOMIC CALENDAR

Monday: PMI Manufacturing Index, Construction Spending

Wednesday: PMI Services Index

Thursday: Jobless Claims, Factory Orders

Friday: Employment Situation, International Trade