Financial News for the Week of May 25, 2018

The FOMC minutes, renewed trade tensions and a cancellation of the June summit with North Korea made the week anything but boring for investors. It was also a politically-charged week across the Atlantic. U.K. negotiations with the EU soured over U.K.’s participation in the Galileo satellite project, while the new Italian Eurosceptic government appointed Giuseppe Conte as prime minister.

Financial markets rallied on Monday on the news of positive weekend developments in the U.S.-China trade dispute. Details of the agreement were vague and largely unquantifiable as far as trade deficit reduction targets are concerned. In the follow-up statement China agreed to  “meaningfully” increase imports of U.S. agricultural and energy products, and lowered tariffs on imports of autos and parts. These relatively limited concessions were sufficient to put the proposed tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods set to take effect on May 21 on hold.

Although U.S. trade tensions with China have eased for now, they have flared up elsewhere, weighing on market sentiment later in the week. On Wednesday President Trump ordered a review of automotive imports, citing national security concerns. The decision drew sharp international criticism and warnings of retaliatory tariffs, but was also opposed domestically. Automakers as well as Republican lawmakers expressed concerns that, if imposed, auto tariffs will raise auto prices for consumers, disrupt supply chains, start trade wars and alienate U.S. allies.

Worries about trade also showed up in the FOMC minutes. Specifically, the FOMC members acknowledged that trade uncertainty could hurt business sentiment and investment intentions. As for the monetary policy discussion, the FOMC members agreed that they would soon need to “take another step” in removing monetary accommodation, with a June rate hike looking like a done deal. At the same time they stressed that the Fed’s inflation objective is “symmetric”, suggesting they will allow inflation to temporarily overshoot 2%. All told, we remain of the view that a total of three rate hikes this year the is most likely outcome.

Higher interest rates will certainly have an impact on the housing market. After declining by 6% in the first quarter, existing home sales have started the second quarter on a weak footing as activity fell 2.5% in April. Sales of new homes also took a break in April, declining by 1.5%. Since the start of the year, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose by 70 basis points. Rising rates alongside brisk growth in home prices have dented affordability; however, this is only part of the story behind relatively tepid home sales. Low inventory of houses on the market has  been the most important factor restraining resale activity (Chart 1), but the pace of construction remains modest and will likely be contained by labor shortages and rising input costs. The price of American steel rose 40% this year, while lumber prices are up 34%. Some relief to the housing shortage may come as more existing homeowners, with fully rebuilt home equity (Chart 2), become encouraged to list their homes. However, the overall pace of activity in the housing market will likely once again remain modest this year.

Ksenia Bushmeneva, Economist | 416-308-7392