U.S. Interest Rates: No Change Expected at September Fed Meeting

By Glenn Dorsey, Clark Capital Management Group

U.S. stock indices posted gains for the month of July, extending the rally experienced since November. Large cap stocks, as measured by the S&P 500, have seen gains every month since the election. The S&P 500 increased 2.06% for the month, while small cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000, increased a more modest 0.74%.

Growth stocks gained 2.52% and outpaced the 1.28% increase posted by value stocks. International stocks outperformed their U.S. counterparts. Developed international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex US Index increased 3.72% and emerging market stocks increased by 6.04% for the month. Weakness in the dollar aided returns as the U.S. currency declined 2.9% during July.

Fixed income markets logged solid returns for the month. Interest rates increased at the short and long ends of the yield curve but declined for maturities from one to 10 years. Consistent with our view, credit again outperformed pure interest rate exposure as corporate bonds outperformed Treasuries. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury decreased one basis point to 2.30% during the month. The Fed left interest rates unchanged at the meeting that concluded on July 26.

The Fed meets again on September 19-20 and, at this point, no change in rates is expected at this meeting. There are three more FOMC meetings scheduled this year and currently the fed funds futures market is suggesting there is less than a 50% chance of a rate hike at any of these meetings. The Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, an important gathering of global central bankers, is scheduled for August 24-26. Market participants will be eager to see if any new details are released as to the unwinding of the Fed’s balance sheet. The Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index increased by 0.43% for the month. Credit once again outperformed, with investment grade corporates increasing by 0.73% while Treasuries increased by 0.17%. High yield bonds increased 1.11% and municipals increased by 0.81%.

EQUITY MARKETS

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, U.S. stocks again posted gains and continued their post-election rally. Growth stocks led the charge and large cap stocks outperformed small cap stocks. Benefiting from improving earnings and a weak dollar, international stocks, both developed and emerging, outpaced U.S. stocks for the month.

FIXED INCOME MARKETS

Rates increased at the short and long ends of the yield curve but declined through the middle of the curve. The yield on the 10-year Treasury decreased 1 basis point in July to 2.30%. The Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index increased for the month, driven by gains in corporate bonds, which outperformed Treasuries. Credit exposure continued to be rewarded as high yield bonds outpaced investment grade bonds and Treasuries. Municipal bonds increased in value for the month.

ECONOMIC DATA

June economic activity rebounded from May levels. The acceleration was evident in most data points. The ISM Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing Surveys indicated the economy continues to grow and the Leading Index hit new highs. Job growth moved back above 200,000 after May’s weak numbers and housing remains solid. Durable goods orders hit the best level in three years. The advance reading of second quarter GDP came in at 2.6%, driven by strong consumer spending.

As expected, The Federal Open Market Committee left the Fed Funds rate unchanged at a range of 1 to 1.25% at the meeting that concluded on July 26th. Three more meetings are scheduled to be held this year, with the next meeting scheduled for September 19-20. Presently, no rate increase is expected. The Jackson Hole Economic Symposium is scheduled for August 24-26. All eyes will be watching to see if any new direction in policy will be announced at the important gathering of global central bankers.

Event Period Estimate Actual Prior Revised
Nonfarm Payroll June 178,000 222,000 138,000 152,000
Unemployment June 4.30% 4.40% 4.30%
ISM Manufacturing June 55.3 57.8 54.9
ISM Non-Manufacturing June 56.5 57.4 56.4
Retail Sales ex Auto & Gas June 0.40% -0.10% 0.00%
PPI MOM June 0.00% 0.10% 0.00%
PPI MOM ex Food & Energy June 0.20% 0.10% 0.30%
PPI YOY June 1.90% 2.00% 2.40%
PPI YOY ex Food & Energy June 2.00% 1.90% 2.10%
CPI MOM June 0.10% 0.00% -0.10%
CPI MOM ex Food & Energy June 0.20% 0.10% 0.10%
CPI YOY June 1.70% 1.60% 1.90%
CPI YOY ex Food & Energy June 1.70% 1.70% 1.70%
Industrial Production June 0.30% 0.40% 0.00% 0.10%
Housing Starts June 1,160,000 1,215,000 1,092,000 1,122,000
Building Permits June 1,201,000 1,254,000 1,168,000
New Home Sales June 615,000 610,000 610,000 605,000
Existing Home Sales June 5,570,000 5,520,000 5,620,000
Leading Index June 0.40% 0.60% 0.30% 0.20%
Durable Goods Orders June (P) 3.90% 6.50% -0.80% -0.10%
S&P CoreLogic CS 20-City YOY May 5.80% 5.69% 5.67% 5.77%
Personal Income June 0.40% 0.00% 0.40% 0.30%
Personal Spending June 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.20%
GDP Annualized QOQ 2Q (A) 2.70% 2.60% 1.40% 1.20%
Univ. of Mich. Sentiment July (F) 93.2 93.4 93.1