Market Recap: February 2023

Employment, retail sales, manufacturing, and inflation all showed signs of improvement to start the year.  The strong economic data has pushed market expectations to at least another 0.5% move up in rates by the FED by year end. Equity markets mostly fell on the positive headlines. But why? The irony of positive economic surprises is markets interpret that as the Fed having to increase rates even more to cool down the economy and inflation.

For the month markets broadly were down across most major asset classes. Domestic markets, particularly growth, held up based on the rally in semi-conductors. China pulled down other foreign markets following its extraordinary rally from October of last year. Malaise around U.S. - China relations and an attempt to gauge the degree to which Chinese consumers will emerge from COVID lockdowns has some investors taking profits.

Upside Surprise on Economic Data

February brought on a rush of positive economic data. Unemployment fell to 3.4% (the lowest since 1969) coupled with a blockbuster 517,000 jobs added in January. Personal income grew 0.6% in January coupled with retail sales showing very strong January growth of 3%. Strong employment and spending figures translated to inflation accelerating in January up 0.5% compared to a more temperate increase of 0.1% in December. Our take, while good news, is there may be some noise in these figures that may make them rosier than they appear. For example, seasonal layoffs did not occur nearly to the same degree as they have in the past based on the struggles of businesses to fill open positions, so employment surprised to the upside. Or perhaps the 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security and/or the drop in consumer savings rates may have boosted spending in an unsustainable way.  Regardless, markets swallowed these figures whole and shifted their view on the Fed. 

One month ago, there was only a 16% probability rates would be higher than 4.5% – 4.75% by year-end. That figure is now 99%. This shift in sentiment has dampened market expectations for a Fed pause/pivot. While perhaps overdone based on the seasonal noise we mentioned, it does speak to the end of rate hikes being near. We view rates peaking as a positive step for markets to find their sustainable leg up, and we believe we are nearing that point.

Are Earnings the Next Shoe to Drop?

If it is not rates, what is the next shoe to drop for markets? With 94% of companies having reported for the fourth quarter 2022, earnings may sneak away with a positive increase for the year. This is well short of expectations (10%+) and only positive after being bailed out by a very strong year in the energy sector. As of February 24, Q4 2022 earnings declined -4.8%. If that is where earnings finish it will be the worst quarter since Q3 2020 when earnings declined -5.7%, a time when businesses were reeling from shelter-in-place COVID policies. 

So does this become the next shoe to drop for markets? It is possible that in the coming quarters disappointing earnings could lead to market volatility as the impact of rates and inflation catch up. Moreover, even if we could perfectly time the earnings cycle (which no one can), markets tend to move ahead of earnings seeking to anticipate their eventual bottom. Since 1998 markets have led earnings in five of seven drawbacks. In those instances, on average markets have bottomed 61 days prior to earnings. In summary, for investors that wait for the all-clear on earnings may end up missing the market bottom.

Outlook

We believe continued volatility, moderating inflation, and a market bottom leading to better returns ahead than in 2022 will remain key drivers for the market. The shift in market sentiment around the Fed, while perhaps overdone, speaks to the end is near for rate increases. This is important in our view for markets to bottom. Earnings may create volatility, but they also create opportunities and are a regular part of the growth and consolidate cycle. Finally, inflation, we believe continues to trend in the right direction. Therefore, our view remains that without the power of precision it makes sense to use the power of preparation to position portfolios for both volatility and opportunity in 2023.

US Capital Wealth Advisors, LLC (“USCWA”) is a Texas based investment advisory firm registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). As an independent, fee-only, registered investment advisor (RIA), USCWA is able to provide sophisticated, holistic wealth management services, with expanded access to investment solutions. We take our fiduciary responsibility to you seriously, which means we are committed to what is in your best interest. Our long standing objective is to enable you to achieve your financial goals and to act as a trusted resource for you and your family. 

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