Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Consumer Confidence Surveys – As Of November 26, 2014

Doug Short had a blog post of November 26, 2014 (“Michigan Consumer Sentiment for November Slightly Trims Its Strong Preliminary Reading“) in which he presents the latest Conference Board Consumer Confidence and Thomson/Reuters University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index charts.  They are presented below:
(click on charts to enlarge images)
Conference Board Consumer Confidence
Michigan Consumer Sentiment
There are a few aspects of the above charts that I find highly noteworthy.  Of course, the continuing subdued absolute levels of these two surveys is disconcerting.
Also, I find the “behavior” of these readings to be quite disparate as compared to the other post-recession periods, as shown in the charts between the gray shaded areas (the gray areas denote recessions as defined by the NBER.)
While I don’t believe that confidence surveys should be overemphasized, I find these readings to be very problematical, especially in light of a variety of other highly disconcerting measures highlighted throughout this blog.
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2072.83 as this post is written

Money Supply Charts Through October 2014

For reference purposes, below are two sets of charts depicting growth in the money supply.
The first shows the MZM (Money Zero Maturity), defined in FRED as the following:
M2 less small-denomination time deposits plus institutional money funds.  Money Zero Maturity is calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Here is the “MZM Money Stock” (seasonally adjusted) chart, updated on November 21, 2014 depicting data through October 2014, with value $12,759.1 Billion:
MZM money supply through October 2014
Here is the “MZM Money Stock” chart on a “Percent Change From Year Ago” basis:
MZMSL_11-21-14 12759.1 Percent Change From Year Ago
Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed November 26, 2014:
The second set shows M2, defined in FRED as the following:
M2 includes a broader set of financial assets held principally by households. M2 consists of M1 plus: (1) savings deposits (which include money market deposit accounts, or MMDAs); (2) small-denomination time deposits (time deposits in amounts of less than $100,000); and (3) balances in retail money market mutual funds (MMMFs). Seasonally adjusted M2 is computed by summing savings deposits, small-denomination time deposits, and retail MMMFs, each seasonally adjusted separately, and adding this result to seasonally adjusted M1.
Here is the “M2 Money Stock” (seasonally adjusted) chart, updated on November 20, 2014, depicting data through October 2014, with value $11,511.4 Billion:
M2SL October 2014
Here is the “M2 Money Stock” chart on a “Percent Change From Year Ago” basis:
M2SL_11-20-14 11511.4 Percent Change From Year Ago
Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed November 26, 2014:
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2069.58 as this post is written

Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI)

The St. Louis Fed’s Financial Stress Index (STLFSI) is one index that is supposed to measure stress in the financial system.  Its reading as of the November 26, 2014 update (reflecting data through November 21) is -1.088.
Of course, there are a variety of other measures and indices that are supposed to measure financial stress and other related issues, both from the Federal Reserve as well as from private sources.
Two other indices that I regularly monitor include the Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI) as well as the Chicago Fed Adjusted National Financial Conditions Index (ANFCI).
Here are summary descriptions of each, as seen in FRED:
The National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI) measures risk, liquidity and leverage in money markets and debt and equity markets as well as in the traditional and “shadow” banking systems. Positive values of the NFCI indicate financial conditions that are tighter than average, while negative values indicate financial conditions that are looser than average.
The adjusted NFCI (ANFCI). This index isolates a component of financial conditions uncorrelated with economic conditions to provide an update on how financial conditions compare with current economic conditions.
For further information, please visit the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s web site:
Below are the most recently updated charts of the NFCI and ANFCI, respectively.
The NFCI chart below was last updated on November 26, incorporating data from January 5,1973 to November 21, 2014, on a weekly basis.  The November 21, 2014 value is -.90:
(click on chart to enlarge image)
NFCI 11-26-14
Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed November 26, 2014:
The ANFCI chart below was last updated on November 26, incorporating data from January 5,1973 to November 21, 2014, on a weekly basis.  The November 21, 2014 value is -.47:
ANFCI 11-26-14
Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed November 26, 2014:
_________
I post various indicators and indices because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this blog are aware, I do not necessarily agree with what they depict or imply.
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2068.66 as this post is written

Durable Goods New Orders – Long-Term Charts Through October 2014

Many people place emphasis on Durable Goods New Orders as a prominent economic indicator and/or leading economic indicator.
For reference, below are charts depicting this measure.
First, from the St. Louis Fed site (FRED), a chart through October, updated on November 26, 2014.  This value is 243, 806 ($ Millions) :
(click on charts to enlarge images)
Durable Goods New Orders October 2014
Here is the chart depicting this measure on a “Percentage Change from a Year Ago” basis:
DGORDER_11-26-14 243806 Percent Change From Year Ago
Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Manufacturers’ New Orders:  Durable Goods [DGORDER]; U.S. Department of Commerce: Census Bureau; accessed November 26, 2014;
_________
I post various indicators and indices because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this blog are aware, I do not necessarily agree with what they depict or imply.
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2069.53 as this post is written

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Corporate Profits As A Percentage Of GDP

In the last post (“3rd Quarter 2014 Corporate Profits“) I displayed, for reference purposes, a long-term chart depicting Corporate Profits After Tax.
There are many ways to view this measure, both on an absolute as well as relative basis.
One relative measure is viewing Corporate Profits as a Percentage of GDP.  I feel that this metric is important for a variety of reasons.  As well, the measure is important to a variety of parties, including investors, businesses, and government policy makers.
As one can see from the long-term chart below (updated through the third quarter), (After Tax) Corporate Profits as a Percentage of GDP is at levels that can be seen as historically (very) high.  While there are many reasons as to why this is so, from a going-forward standpoint I think it is important to recognize both that such a notable condition exists, as well as contemplate and/or plan for such factors and conditions that would come about if (and in my opinion “when”) a more historically “normal” ratio of Corporate Profits as a Percentage of GDP occurs.  This topic can be very complex in nature, and depends upon myriad factors.  In my opinion it deserves far greater recognition.
(click on chart to enlarge image)
corporate profits as a percent of GDP
Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed November 25, 2014
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2070.84 as this post is written

3rd Quarter 2014 Corporate Profits

Today’s GDP release (Q3, 2nd Estimate)(pdf) was accompanied by the BLS Corporate Profits report for the 3rd Quarter.
Of course, there are many ways to adjust and depict overall Corporate Profits.  For reference purposes, here is a chart from the St. Louis Federal Reserve (FRED) showing the Corporate Profits After Tax (last updated November 25, 2014, with a value of $1872.7 Billion) :
after-tax corporate profits
Here is the Corporate Profits After Tax measure shown on a Percentage Change from a Year Ago perspective:
Corporate Profits percent change from year ago
Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Corporate Profits After Tax [CP]; U.S. Department of Commerce: Bureau of Economic Analysis; accessed November 25, 2014; https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CP
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2068.08 as this post is written

Monday, November 24, 2014

Updates Of Economic Indicators November 2014

Here is an update of various indicators that are supposed to predict and/or depict economic activity. These indicators have been discussed in previous blog posts:
The November 2014 Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI)(pdf) updated as of November 24, 2014:
cfnai-ma3
As of November 21, 2014 (incorporating data through November 14, 2014) the WLI was at 133.2 and the WLI, Gr. was at -2.4%.
A chart of the WLI,Gr., from Doug Short’s post of November 21, 2014, titled “ECRI Recession Watch:  Update“:
ECRI WLI,Gr.
Here is the latest chart, depicting the ADS Index from December 31, 2007 through November 15, 2014:
ADS Index
As per the November 20, 2014 press release, titled “The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. Increased Again,” the LEI was at 105.2 and the CEI was at 110.2 in October.
An excerpt from the November 20 release:
“The upward trend in the LEI points to continued economic growth through the holiday season and into early 2015,” said Ken Goldstein, Economist at The Conference Board. “This is consistent with our outlook for relatively good, but not great, consumer demand over the near term. Going forward, there are continued concerns about slow business investment and lackluster income growth.”
Here is a chart of the LEI from Doug Short’s blog post of November 20 titled “Conference Board Leading Economic Index Increased Again in October“ :
Conference Board LEI
_________
I post various indicators and indices because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this blog are aware, I do not necessarily agree with what they depict or imply.
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2069.23 as this post is written

Markets During Periods Of Federal Reserve Intervention – November 24, 2014 Update

In the August 9, 2011 post (“QE3 – Various Thoughts“) I posted a chart that depicted the movements of the S&P500, 10-Year Treasury Yield and the Fed Funds rate spanning the periods of various Federal Reserve interventions since 2007.
For reference purposes, here is an updated chart (through November 20) from Doug Short’s blog post of November 21 (“ECRI Recession Watch:  Weekly Update“) :
markets during Fed intervention
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2063.50 as this post is written

The U.S. Economic Situation - November 24, 2014 Update

Perhaps the main reason that I write of our economic situation is that I continue to believe, based upon various analyses, that our economic situation is in many ways misunderstood.  While no one likes to contemplate a future rife with economic adversity, current and future economic problems must be properly recognized and rectified if high-quality, sustainable long-term economic vitality is to be realized.
There are an array of indications and other “warning signs” – many readily apparent – that current economic activity and financial market performance is accompanied by exceedingly perilous dynamics.
I have written extensively about this peril, including in the following:
Building Financial Danger” (ongoing updates)
My analyses continues to indicate that the growing level of financial danger will lead to the next stock market crash that will also involve (as seen in 2008) various other markets as well.  Key attributes of this next crash is its outsized magnitude (when viewed from an ultra-long term historical perspective) and the resulting economic impact.  This next financial crash is of tremendous concern, as my analyses indicate it will lead to a Super Depression – i.e. an economy characterized by deeply embedded, highly complex, and difficult-to-solve problems.
For long-term reference purposes, here is a chart of the Dow Jones Industrial Average since 1900, depicted on a monthly basis using a LOG scale (updated through November 21, 2014, with a last value of 17810.06):
(click on chart to enlarge image)(chart courtesy of StockCharts.com)
DJIA 1900-11-21-14
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2063.50 as this post is written

Friday, November 21, 2014

Long-Term Charts Of The ECRI WLI & ECRI WLI, Gr. – November 21, 2014 Update

As I stated in my July 12, 2010 post (“ECRI WLI Growth History“):
For a variety of reasons, I am not as enamored with ECRI’s WLI and WLI Growth measures as many are.
However, I do think the measures are important and deserve close monitoring and scrutiny.
The movement of the ECRI WLI and WLI, Gr. is particularly notable at this time, as ECRI publicly announced on September 30, 2011 that the U.S. was “tipping into recession,” and ECRI had reiterated (but no longer believes per the November 19, 2014 interview) the view that the U.S. economy was in a recession, seen most recently in these twelve publicly available sources :
Other past notable year 2012 reaffirmations of the September 30, 2011 recession call by ECRI were seen (in chronological order) on March 15 (“Why Our Recession Call Stands”) as well as various interviews and statements the week of May 6, including:
Also, subsequent to May 2012:
__
Below are three long-term charts, from Doug Short’s blog post of November 21, 2014 titled “ECRI Recession Watch:  Weekly Update.”  These charts are on a weekly basis through the November 21 release, indicating data through November 14, 2014.
Here is the ECRI WLI (defined at ECRI’s glossary):
ECRI-WLI
This next chart depicts, on a long-term basis, the Year-over-Year change in the 4-week moving average of the WLI:
Dshort 11-21-14 - ECRI-WLI-YoY .8 percent
This last chart depicts, on a long-term basis, the WLI, Gr.:
ECRI WLI,Gr.
_________
I post various economic indicators and indices because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this blog are aware, I do not necessarily agree with what they depict or imply.
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2063.50 as this post is written

Trends Of S&P500 Earnings Forecasts

S&P500 earnings trends and estimates are a notably important topic, for a variety of reasons, at this point in time.
FactSet publishes a report titled “Earnings Insight” that contains a variety of information including the trends and expectations of S&P500 earnings.
For reference purposes, here are two charts as seen in the “Earnings Insight” (pdf) report of November 14, 2014:
from page 23:
(click on charts to enlarge images)
S&P500 earnings forecasts 2014 & 2015
from page 24:
S&P500 annual EPS
_____
I post various economic forecasts because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this blog are aware, I do not agree with many of the consensus estimates and much of the commentary in these forecast surveys.
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2069.13 as this post is written

Thursday, November 20, 2014

S&P500 Earnings Estimates - Years 2014 Through 2016

As many are aware, Thomson Reuters publishes earnings estimates for the S&P500.  (My other posts concerning S&P earnings estimates can be found under the S&P500 Earnings label)
The following estimates are from Exhibit 12 of “The Director’s Report” (pdf) of November 20, 2014, and represent an aggregation of individual S&P500 component “bottom up” analyst forecasts:
Year 2014 estimate:
$117.96/share
Year 2015 estimate:
$129.91/share
Year 2016 estimate:
$145.12/share
_____
I post various economic forecasts because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this blog are aware, I do not agree with many of the consensus estimates and much of the commentary in these forecast surveys.
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2050.13 as this post is written

Standard & Poor’s S&P500 Earnings Estimates For 2014 & 2015 – As Of November 13, 2014

As many are aware, Standard & Poor’s publishes earnings estimates for the S&P500.  (My posts concerning their estimates can be found under the S&P500 Earnings label)
For reference purposes, the most current estimates are reflected below, and are as of November 13, 2014:
Year 2014 estimates add to the following:
-From a “bottom up” perspective, operating earnings of $117.51/share
-From a “top down” perspective, operating earnings of N/A
-From a “top down” perspective, “as reported” earnings of $109.96/share
Year 2015 estimates add to the following:
-From a “bottom up” perspective, operating earnings of $133.89/share
-From a “top down” perspective, operating earnings of $135.84/share
-From a “top down” perspective, “as reported” earnings of $134.90/share
_____
I post various economic forecasts because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this blog are aware, I do not agree with many of the consensus estimates and much of the commentary in these forecast surveys.
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2048.72 as this post is written

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI)

The St. Louis Fed’s Financial Stress Index (STLFSI) is one index that is supposed to measure stress in the financial system.  Its reading as of the November 13, 2014 update (reflecting data through November 7) is -1.137.
Of course, there are a variety of other measures and indices that are supposed to measure financial stress and other related issues, both from the Federal Reserve as well as from private sources.
Two other indices that I regularly monitor include the Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI) as well as the Chicago Fed Adjusted National Financial Conditions Index (ANFCI).
Here are summary descriptions of each, as seen in FRED:
The National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI) measures risk, liquidity and leverage in money markets and debt and equity markets as well as in the traditional and “shadow” banking systems. Positive values of the NFCI indicate financial conditions that are tighter than average, while negative values indicate financial conditions that are looser than average.
The adjusted NFCI (ANFCI). This index isolates a component of financial conditions uncorrelated with economic conditions to provide an update on how financial conditions compare with current economic conditions.
For further information, please visit the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s web site:
Below are the most recently updated charts of the NFCI and ANFCI, respectively.
The NFCI chart below was last updated on November 19, incorporating data from January 5,1973 to November 14, 2014, on a weekly basis.  The November 14, 2014 value is -.88:
(click on chart to enlarge image)
NFCI 11-19-14
Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed November 19, 2014:
The ANFCI chart below was last updated on November 19, incorporating data from January 5,1973 to November 14, 2014, on a weekly basis.  The November 14, 2014 value is -.38:
ANFCI 11-19-14
Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed November 19, 2014:
_________
I post various indicators and indices because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this blog are aware, I do not necessarily agree with what they depict or imply.
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2045.87 as this post is written

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Trends Of U.S. Treasury Yields - November 18, 2014 Update

For references purposes, below are two charts that show the trend in interest rates for various Treasuries, including the 3-Month, 2-Year, 5-Year, 7-Year, and 10-Year.
A chart showing the interest rate trends of the last 20 years:
(click on chart to enlarge image)(chart courtesy of StockCharts.com; chart creation and annotation by the author)
20 year chart U.S. Treasury Yields
A chart showing the interest rate trends of the last year:
(click on chart to enlarge image)(chart courtesy of StockCharts.com; chart creation and annotation by the author)
U.S. Treasury Yields 1-year
_____
The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 2042.33 as this post is written