FINANCIAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

• Economic data released this week was balanced enough to re-ignite optimism in financial markets without calling into question the next fiscal support package.
• Job market data showed a third consecutive decline in the weekly jobless claims as well as moderate progress in payrolls and an unexpected drop in the unemployment rate.
• Assuming continued progress on the health front, another round of substantial fiscal supports could push the American economy from stall speed to an outright sprint in the second half of this year.

A Cautiously Optimistic Week

This week, one of the world’s most famous prognosticators, Punxsutawney Phil, reportedly predicted another six weeks of winter followed by “one of the most beautiful and brightest springs you’ve ever seen.” Economists seem to agree, forecasting weak short-term growth followed by a strong rebound later in the year. The timing and extend of the latter depend on getting enough people vaccinated to return to normal activities and spending habits. As of this week, daily vaccinations held at roughly 1.3 million doses. They are targeted to expand to 1.5 million a day to reach the Biden administration’s goal of 150 million vaccines administered by the end of April.

At present, the job market shows tepid signs of improvement. On Thursday, the Department of Labor reported a third consecutive decline in the weekly number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits. Recent reports come with the caveat of considerable revisions due to difficulties in adjusting the historically-high level for seasonal factors. Even when smoothed over four weeks, claims remain around 650 thousand higher than a year ago (Chart 1).

Likewise, today’s employment report for January showed moderate progress, with payrolls rising by 49 thousand, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 6.3% from 6.7% in December. Despite this progress, the economy has thus far recovered just over half of jobs lost during the initial lockdown period. The pandemic continues to inflict disproportional pain on the services sector, deepening inequality (see report). One particularly dire spot remains the leisure & hospitality sector, which reported another month of losses in January. With the setback, employment in the sector is now 22.9% below its pre-pandemic level (Chart 2).

In other data releases, ISM manufacturing and services sector indexes remained in expansionary territory. The manufacturing index dropped by two points (indicating a slowdown in growth), while the non-manufacturing index rose by one (indicating accelerating growth). While supply chain backlogs remain problematic, the increase in employment sub-components, especially in the services index, gives cause for optimism on the jobs recovery.

On the financial front, economic data was balanced enough to re-ignite optimism in financial markets without calling into question the next fiscal support package. The S&P 500 index ended the week 4.7% higher than the previous week and the 10-year U.S. Treasury rose to 1.15% from 1.08%.

This week, a report by the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the recently passed $900 billion stimulus package (signed into law at the end of December) would raise the level of GDP by 1.5% in 2021 and 2022, with most of that boost occurring this year. At $1.9 trillion, the next proposed round of fiscal support is even bigger. The income supports in the package will go a long way to bridging the gap to the other side of the health crisis and, with additional funding for vaccine distribution and testing, hopefully speed it along. Assuming continued progress on the health front, there is a good chance that the economy moves from stall speed to an outright sprint in the second half of this year (see report).

Maria Solovieva, CFA, Economist | 416-380-1195

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