The other day, Goldman Sachs took a sharp knife to its earnings estimates for S&P 500 companies. It cut 2015 estimates from previous $122 to $114. In 2014, these companies earned $113 in operating earnings. If Goldman is right, we … Continued
Divergence between jobs momentum and other macro data points Annual growth in productivity past four years mere 0.68 percent Infrastructure, both structures and equipment, is rapidly aging It has been more or less an enigma. The divergence between various U.S. … Continued
3Q14 GDP numbers revive – once again – hopes of surge in business capX Collapse in November y/y growth in orders for non-defense capital goods ex-aircraft With energy accounting for nearly 1/3rd of S&P 500 capX, capX bulls will have … Continued
10-year notes yielding lower vs when Nov’s blockbuster jobs report came out Large speculators’ net shorts in 10-year-note futures at four-plus-year high Bond vigilantes not buying hopes and prayers of escape-velocity backers Treasury bonds continue to catch a bid. A … Continued
Market expectations for rate hike next year runs risk of disappointment With monetary quiver nearly empty, Fed very much focused on wealth effect Job even more difficult, given adverse effects of cheap money beginning to loom Markets are sending mixed … Continued
Inability of offensives to take the lead has been a thorn in the side of rally since Oct 15th low Outperformance last week of XLY vs. XLP and HYG vs. LQD sign of trend change? Duel on between seasonally favorable … Continued
Steep drop in unemployment rate typically would suggest upward wage pressure Shrinkage in labor force takes bargaining power away from employees Corporations taking increasing share of national income vs labor It has been a while National Federation of Independent Business … Continued
Public highway and street construction spending flat last six years Average age of private fixed structures 26-plus in 2013, highest since 1954 U.S. ran up $9tn in cumulative deficit in 2008-2013, with emphasis on consumption We are aware how in … Continued
Six years into recovery, U.S. corporate capX potential yet to turn into reality September saw several macro/company data points in deceleration Latest being m/m order shrinkage in business capX proxy Five-plus years and counting. Still a no-show. The chart below … Continued
Revised 2Q14 U.S. GDP estimates revived hopes of capX revival U.S. corporates have continued to disappoint as relates to adding capital NFIB capX plans in September show why that is not likely to change anytime soon When the preliminary estimates … Continued