Hixon Zuercher Capital Management

Fee-only Registered Investment Advisor in Findlay, Ohio 45840

Mixed Results as Turkey Stumbles – Weekly Update for August 13, 2018

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Stocks ended the week in mixed territory as trouble with Turkey’s currency affected U.S. equity performance on Friday, August 10. For the week, the S&P 500 lost 0.25%, the Dow declined 0.59%, and the NASDAQ increased 0.35%. International stocks in the MSCI EAFE stumbled, giving back 1.57%.

Although last week brought relatively few economic updates, we did learn that the labor market continues to improve and consumer prices are on the rise. While this news may have affected market performance, the challenges facing Turkey’s economy had an outsize impact on global stocks.

What happened to the Turkish lira?

The Turkish lira dropped 14% to 6.46 per dollar, the weakest on record with the largest drop in more than 17 years. The lira ended the week at a record low against the U.S. dollar. Tension between the U.S. and Turkey played a part in the decline as President Trump tweeted plans to double tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum imports. This potential tariff hike followed a stalled conversation between the two countries concerning an imprisoned U.S. pastor who Turkey believes supported a 2016 attempted coup.

How did investors react?

The resulting drop in the lira’s value concerned investors and led to losses in markets worldwide. Friday, the S&P 500 marked its largest daily decline since June after getting close to a new record high.

Why do investors care?

The lira’s drop is another sign that emerging markets are experiencing challenges in their economies. Some investors worry that Turkey’s economic crisis could spread to other countries or affect interest in other emerging markets.

Should you be concerned?

Probably not for now. U.S. companies don’t have a tremendous amount of exposure to Turkish markets.

We know that global dynamics can be complex and understanding their specific effects on your financial life may seem challenging. If you have any questions, contact us any time.

ECONOMIC CALENDAR

Tuesday: Import and Export Prices
Wednesday: Retail Sales, Industrial Production, Housing Market Index
Thursday: Housing Starts, Jobless Claims
Friday: Consumer Sentiment

Stocks Up as Data Comes In – Weekly Update for August 6, 2018

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Domestic markets ended last week in positive territory, as the S&P gained 0.76%, the Dow was up 0.05%, and the NASDAQ increased 0.96%. This performance marked the 5th week in a row that the S&P 500 and Dow posted gains. Meanwhile, international stocks in the MSCI EAFE stumbled, losing 1.47% for the week.

Once again, trade and corporate earnings were in the news last week. We learned that the U.S. is considering increasing tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports. In response, China announced their own tariffs ranging from 5%-25% on $60 billion of U.S. products.

Corporate earnings season also continued, and so far, more than 78% of S&P 500 companies have beaten estimates. If the trend holds, the 2nd quarter will likely average more than 20% growth in earnings per share. Companies have also detailed positive perspectives for the rest of 2018, showing that this strong corporate performance should continue.

Of course, last week’s trade and earnings weren’t the only topics on investors’ minds. We also received a number of data reports that shaped our understanding of the economy’s health.

Key Findings from Last Week

  • Consumers are earning and spending more. The latest data for personal consumption and personal income revealed both measures increased by 0.4% in June. In addition, the report included revised data from 2013-2017, which indicated that people earned $1.05 trillion more during that time period than initially thought.
  • Tariff concerns are affecting manufacturing. The manufacturing sector continues to expand at a faster rate than in 2017, but the pace of growth slowed more than anticipated in July. Respondents to the ISM Manufacturing Index survey shared concerns about tariffs, steel and aluminum disruptions, and transportation challenges.
  • The Federal Reserve is on track for a September rate hike. The Fed didn’t raise rates this month, but projections show a 93.6% chance that it will do so in September. The latest jobs report detailed steady wage increases, which helped ease Fed concerns about inflation.

This week is relatively light on economic data, but we will continue to analyze last week’s reports and the remaining corporate earnings releases. If you have any questions about where the economy is today or what may lie ahead, we’re here to talk.

ECONOMIC CALENDAR

Tuesday: JOLTS
Thursday: Jobless Claims
Friday: Consumer Price Index 

Examining Economic Growth – Weekly Update for July 30, 2018

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Markets experienced a push-and-pull last week between data indicating strong economic growth and lagging performance from several tech stocks’ earnings reports. Domestic indexes had mixed results, as the S&P 500 gained 0.61%, the Dow was up 1.57%, and the NASDAQ dropped 1.06%. International stocks in the MSCI EAFE had more of an uptick, gaining 1.32% for the week.

On Friday, July 27, we received the initial reading of 2nd quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The report indicated that the economy grew at a 4.1% annual rate between April and June. This reading was the fastest pace in almost 4 years⎯and significantly higher than 1st quarter growth. Markets, however, had a relatively mild reaction to the GDP data due to rumors predicting even higher results.

Let’s dig beyond the headline GDP growth number to see what else it tells us about our current economic circumstances.

2nd Quarter GDP Details

  • The tax cut helped drive growth.
    The recent $1.5 trillion tax cut contributed to the latest GDP performance. Both consumers and businesses spent more in the 2nd quarter. Some economists believe this result will not last; without further tax cuts, consumers and companies won’t have additional funds at their disposal.
  • Trade tension affected GDP.
    This year’s ongoing trade drama impacted the economy during the 2nd quarter, but perhaps not the way you might expect. Many soybean farmers tried to get ahead of coming tariffs by shipping their crops to China earlier than normal. This move helped GDP increase between April and June.
  • Inflation slowed.
    When examining inflation, the Fed uses the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) without food and energy, also known as the core PCE. The 2nd quarter reading was 2%, down from 2.2%. Between healthy economic growth and solid inflation numbers, the Fed is likely still on track for two more rate hikes in 2018.

Seeing strong growth this late in an economic expansion is good news. However, now we will have to see whether the growth can continue at this rate. When discussing the GDP readings, President Trump predicted even better results in future quarters. Some economists, on the other hand, believe trade wars and consumer spending could provide headwinds.

We can’t predict the future, but we do know that economic fundamentals continue to be strong. This week, we will receive a number of new readings⎯from manufacturing to employment to motor vehicle sales⎯and earnings season will roll on.  

If you would like to discuss any of these details and how they may impact you, we’re ready to help.

ECONOMIC CALENDAR

Tuesday: Personal Income and Outlays, Consumer Confidence
Wednesday: Motor Vehicle Sales, ADP Employment Report, PMI Manufacturing Index, ISM Mfg Index
Thursday: Factory Orders, Jobless Claims
Friday: Employment Situation, International Trade, PMI Services Index, ISM Non-Mfg Index

 

Earnings Season Continues – Weekly Update for July 23, 2018

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On Friday, July 20, stocks lost a small amount of ground after President Trump escalated his threats of increasing tariffs on China. However, strong quarterly earnings reports from several large companies helped provide balance in the markets. For the week, domestic indexes experienced little movement, as the S&P gained 0.02%, the Dow was up 0.15%, and the NASDAQ dropped 0.07%. International stocks in the MSCI EAFE had slightly more change, with a 0.63% gain.

What We Learned Last Week

    • Corporate earnings rose in the 2nd quarter
      As of July 20, 87 S&P 500 companies have released their 2nd quarter data. Of these companies, 83.9% surpassed analysts’ estimated results. In fact, the earnings season is going well enough that analysts have increased their growth projections. They now expect to see companies average 22% earnings growth over the past year, up from 20.7% growth projections on July 1.
    • Retail sales increased
      The most recent retail sales data indicated that consumers feel confident in the economy and labor market. June’s strong growth, coupled with upward revisions to May’s results, support predictions for healthy Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increases in the 2nd quarter.
    • Industrial production hit a new record
      In June, U.S. manufacturing and mining increased. Overall, industrial production had an annual rate that was 6.1% higher in the 2nd quarter than the 1st quarter of 2018.
    • Housing starts dropped
      The latest housing-start report came in far below estimates. This decline occurred across all U.S. regions as homebuilders shared concerns about materials costs and labor shortages. However, housing start data often fluctuates from month-to-month, and reports show that the 1st half of 2018 is 7.4% higher than the same time period last year.

What Is Ahead This Week

Corporate earnings season continues, and on Friday, we’ll receive the initial reading of 2nd quarter GDP. Last week’s retail sales and industrial production numbers contribute to very high expectations for economic growth results. Some estimates indicate that GDP could have increased as much as 5.2% in the 2nd quarter – much higher than the 2% growth between January and March.

We will watch these results closely and look for additional perspectives on the economy’s underlying strength. If you’d like to know more about what may lie ahead, contact us any time.

ECONOMIC CALENDAR

Monday: Existing Home Sales
Wednesday: New Home Sales
Thursday: Durable Goods Orders, Jobless Claims
Friday: GDP, Consumer Sentiment

July 2018 Market Update Video

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We are now halfway through 2018, and the markets have given us a lot to think about this year—including increased volatility.

From economic data to political updates, much of the information we received last month also painted a mixed picture of current circumstances.

Currently, the markets feel like they’re on a seesaw between strong economic fundamentals and escalating geopolitical tension. Amid this back-and-forth, we will be searching for balanced perspectives on where the economy truly stands—and what may be on the horizon.

In this market update video, I will discuss the major economic headlines from last month, and how they could have an impact on you as an investor. If you have any questions about your personal situation after watching this video, please give us a call at (419)425-2400, or send us an email. We would be happy to talk.

 

** As a side note, we wanted to let you know that we are MOVING! Our new office space is located on the third floor of our current building, the Chase Bank building in downtown Findlay, OH, right off the elevator. After the remodel is completed, we will make the move. We will keep you up to date on the progress! 

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