Markets March Higher Despite Omicron
U.S. and International Equities
Major Markets higher
The major equity markets finished the week higher, as the Santa Claus rally took hold even amid concerns about the Omicron variant’s effects on the economy. The growth style paced the market’s gains, with particular strength in the consumer discretionary and technology sectors that powered the Nasdaq Composite to an even bigger weekly advance than the S&P 500 Index. Moreover, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) hawkish stance on both inflation and thus interest rates also continue to weigh on investor’s minds. International markets also caught a bid this week as these nations continue to battle an increase in COVID-19 cases, though gains in emerging markets for the week lagged those in developed markets.
Fixed Income Mixed
The Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index finished lower this week. High-quality bonds lost ground as traders sold off longer-term government bonds on inflation concerns while continuing to digest the Fed’s newly hawkish stance. This sentiment did not carry over to high-yield corporate bonds, as tracked by the Bloomberg High Yield index, as these bonds continued their run after enjoying an excellent 2021.
Commodities Marginally Higher
All major commodities finished the week in the green. Gold and silver both had positive weeks as traders demanded these traditional inflationary plays. Moreover, natural gas finished higher this week, breaking three straight weeks of lower returns. Natural gas is off over 20% for the rolling one-month period.
Economic Weekly Roundup
December Consumer Confidence Solid
The Conference Board reported this week that consumer confidence rose in December, while November’s number was revised upward as consumers end 2021 on a more optimistic note. The proportion of consumers planning to purchase homes, automobiles, major appliances, and vacations over the next six months all increased. Moreover, consumer concerns about inflation declined after reaching a 13-year high last month, along with concerns about COVID-19. This report points to positive signs for the economy next year as consumer demand is a vital driver of the economy.
Personal Consumption Expenditure Met Expectations
The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, showed broad increases last month but generally met economists’ expectations. Year-over-year, the PCE headline number came in over 5.5% while core PCE, taking out food and gas prices, jumped over 4.5%. Most numbers were increases over the month prior, however personal spending and personal income showed deceleration from October. Nevertheless, the headline rate of inflation was the highest since 1982, while core rose at its fastest since 1989, supporting the Fed hawkish monetary view.
Employment Claims Unchanged from Prior Week
Initial claims for unemployment insurance continue to come in near multi-decade lows and were reported at just over 200,000 for the week ending December 18, while continuing claims continued to fall slightly, reaching over 1.8 million. Although labor statistics such as the labor force participation rate remain far from ideal, the labor market landscape remains tight. We continue to believe the current standing of the labor market will do little to prevent the Fed from increasing rates presuming inflation continues to rise into 2022.
The following economic data is slated to be released during the week ahead:
- Tuesday: Federal Housing Finance Agency October Home Price Index, October S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index
- Wednesday: November wholesale inventories, November pending home sales
- Thursday: Weekly initial and continuing unemployment claims
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