“Given the scale of the problems faced by many of the eurozone countries, it is hard to believe they won’t face further periods of extreme stress over the next couple of years.”
– ARIF HUSSEIN, DIRECTOR OF ALLIANCE BERNSTEIN’S EUROPEAN FIXED INCOME RESEARCH
POINTS TO PONDER
1. While most observers seem to believe the US economy is accelerating, the all-important measure of retail sales (given that consumer activity drives roughly 70% of America’s GDP) is telling a very different story.
2. Numerous sources have noted that US consumer spending was boosted by a drawdown of savings in last year’s second half. Gluskin Sheff’s hyperkinetic head economist, David Rosenberg, states that absent this factor, and a 60 cent drop in gasoline prices (which amounted to a $100 billion windfall in household disposable income), real consumer spending would have fallen 3%.
3. One of the best pieces of US economic news over the last few months is related to the long-struggling American job machine. According to the influential surveys conducted by the University of Michigan, employment conditions are improving at the best rate since 1983.
4. The US economy grew at its fastest pace of the year in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, despite this pickup to a less than awe-inspiring 2.8% rate, for the year GDP expanded at a limp 1.6%.
5. One of several drags affecting the American economy as 2012 begins is the reduction of the 100% bonus depreciation allowance for businesses to 50%. Although this is a near-term impediment, given that corporate profits are at an all-time high but net capital investment as a percentage of GDP is back to where it was in 1975, an eventual spike in fixed-asset investing is virtually certain.
6. US stocks have recovered nearly all of their losses from last April’s peak. Yet profits continue to look toppy with the ratio of negative-to-positive earnings pre-announcements at 3.5:1, the worst reading since the fourth quarter of 2008 when the Great Recession was in full swing. Additionally, projected corporate tax receipts for 2011 are now $194 billion, compared to an initial estimate of $280 billion.
7. Last week’s EVA noted that US leading economic indicators are revealing a much less robust picture than those that are concurrent or lagging. America is not alone in this regard, with cautionary advance indicators being the prevailing condition throughout the rich (OECD) world and, surprisingly, even in Asia.
8. Experienced investors are skeptical of the overly upbeat earnings forecasts by Wall Street analysts and for good reason. Never once in 26 years have US (or European) “sell side” analysts forecast profit declines even though they have occurred one-third of the time.
9. The venerable Dow Jones Industrial Average was the envy of global stock indexes last year, posting an 8% total return (i.e., including dividends) even as most world markets fell, many precipitously. Interestingly, 44% of the Dow’s gains came from just one stock—IBM.
10. Over the last four years, the US private sector has reduced its leverage by 16% of GDP, roughly three times more than the 5% of GDP increase seen by the federal government. Consequently, overall debt levels in the US are among the lowest in the developed world, though all countries have disturbingly high levels of total liabilities.
11. America continues to make impressive strides toward energy independence due to enhanced drilling techniques that are now turbo-charging oil production from shale formations just as they have with natural gas. As a result of these breakthroughs, North Dakota is now producing more oil from its Bakken Shale than Alaska is from Prudhoe Bay.
12. The ECB’s unprecedented program to extend virtually unlimited financing to Europe’s banks appears to have prevented a calamitous chain reaction of bank failures. A key reason for the fragility of the Continent’s financial system, in addition to excessive holdings of questionable government debt, is the sheer size of its banking sector. Europe’s $41 trillion in total bank assets is 2.5 times greater than that of the US.
13. Almost all continues to be quiet on the European front of late. However, one area that remains under siege is Portugal, where 10-year government bond yields are becoming ever more reminiscent of those in Greece prior to its debt market totally imploding.
14. Tax evasion in Greece has attained, quite appropriately, mythic status yet Italy is no slouch in this regard. Among Italian taxpayers, 66% say they earn less than $26,000 US annually even though 518 own either jets or helicopters, 42,000 own luxury yachts, and 188,000 own Maseratis, Ferraris, or Porsches.
15. Gold weakened noticeably last year during the most intense phase of Europe’s bank funding crisis. This may have been due to central bank bullion-selling by the more financially squeezed countries.
My take on the above points. It’s that time of the year when my wife and I make our mid-winter escape to Hawaii. Through the years, I believe I’ve done some of my best long-term thinking over here (I realize a few of you probably feel that’s not saying much). The chance to downshift to “Island time” and catch up on my always voluminous stack of research reading (with hopefully a book snuck in as well) definitely allows me to do some deeper reflecting.
The last time I was in Hawaii was in August on the way back from visiting our new business partners, GaveKal Capital, in Hong Kong. I vividly remember creating an “on the fly” EVA discussing what was, at that point, a vaporizing stock market. Boy, have things changed in six months!
Capping a recent string of ebullient economic data was today’s announcement that the unemployment rate fell to 8.3%, catalyzing another robust rally in the stock market, with the tech heavy NASDAQ hitting an 11-year high. A year ago, I had felt the jobless rate would be down around 8% by now so, if anything, I’m a bit surprised we haven’t added even more jobs. But what gnaws at me the most is that I don’t believe the employment picture is as hunky-dory as it seems superficially.
As I’ve noted before, much of the statistical gains are occurring due to jobseekers simply giving up. This isn’t to say conditions aren’t improving; unquestionably—and fortunately—they are. Yet like so many other aspects of US economic data, when you perform a deeper tissue analysis the results aren’t as positive.
Whether it’s US consumers drawing down savings to maintain spending, the drag on disposable incomes from $100 oil prices, profit margins that appear to be peaking, or a mistaken belief that Europe has magically solved its existential problems, there are still some serious challenges staring us in the face. And although I realize bull markets climb walls of worry, I’m concerned we’re in a lull between storms.
If my anxieties haven’t been chased away by my time in paradise or by the profits that have been accruing in our portfolios lately (despite the hedges we have in place), maybe, just maybe, there’s still a typhoon or two lurking out there beyond the beautiful horizon.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein. This material has been prepared or is distributed solely for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. All of the recommendations and assumptions included in this presentation are based upon current market conditions as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investments involve risk including the loss of principal. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Information contained in this report has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, Evergreen Capital Management LLC makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness, except with respect to the Disclosure Section of the report. Any opinions expressed herein reflect our judgment as of the date of the materials and are subject to change without notice. The securities discussed in this report may not be suitable for all investors and are not intended as recommendations of particular securities, financial instruments or strategies to particular clients. Investors must make their own investment decisions based on their financial situations and investment objectives.
