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2020 Financial Markets Update

Week In Review 12.20.2019

December 23, 2019

Week in Review

Week Ending: Friday, December 20, 2019

Recap & Commentary

What a difference a year makes. A year ago, recession fears gripped the markets, the Federal Reserve had just raised rates for the fourth time in 2018, the federal government was mired in what would become the longest shutdown on record, and the S&P 500 was headed towards its worst December since 1931. A year later, the S&P 500 is at all time highs, on pace for its best year since 2013, and recession fears have faded.So what happened? How did we seemingly go from the brink of recession and a bear market to record highs in equity markets? Part of the answer lies in the fact that the recession that many feared never materialized. In early January, the Federal Reserve switched monetary policy from “autopilot” to a more “flexible” approach, brining a sigh of relief from the markets. The end to the government shutdown also aided optimism. Finally, despite a number of ups and downs, U.S./China trade talks progressed to the point where the two countries now appear poised to sign a “Phase One” trade deal, confirming investors’ long held belief that both countries would ultimately act in their economic self-interest.

So what is in store for 2020? Trade will likely continue to dominate headlines. Assuming the U.S. and China finalize the “Phase One” deal, investors will then naturally expect to see progress towards a “Phase Two” deal. Ongoing Brexit negotiations could create some volatility, as the UK looks to finalize its exit from the EU. Monetary policy should be relatively benign, at least in the near-term, as both the Fed and ECB have indicated they are unlikely to raise rates in the absence of a meaningful acceleration in inflation. Finally, given that 2020 is an election year, volatility could be elevated as November draws closer, depending on polling data and the policy proposals of the different candidates.

Economic Bullet Points

Leading Indicators—The Leading Economic Index (LEI) was unchanged in November, following three straight declines. On a y/y basis, the LEI was up only 0.1%, the slowest pace in a decade, suggesting slowing economic growth.Industrial Production rebounded 1.1% in November, its first increase in three months, and the most since October 2017, led by manufacturing. On a y/y basis, industrial production fell -0.8%, but the deceleration has likely abated.

Housing Starts rose 3.2% in November to a 1.4M annualized rate, the second-highest level since June 2007. On a y/y basis, starts rose 13.6%, reflecting strengthening momentum in the housing market.

Existing Home Sales fell -1.7% in November, to a 5.35M unit annual rate, and below the consensus estimate of 5.44M. Lack of sufficient inventory continues to hamper growth, despite lower mortgage rates, and a strong labor market.

Personal Income and Spending—Personal income jumped 0.5% in November, the most in nine months, and above the consensus of 0.3%. Faster income growth translated into more spending, as personal consumption expenditures (PCE) rose 0.4%, the most since July, matching the consensus.

Of Note

From all of us here at First Western, we thank you for your business and wish you Happy Holidays and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
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Market Indices Week of 12/20

S&P 5001.7%
Small Caps2.1%
Intl. Developed0.6%
Intl. Emerging1.9%
Commodities1.3%
U.S. Bond Market-0.3%
10-Year Treas. Yield1.92%
US Dollar0.6%
WTI Oil ($/bl)$60
Gold ($/oz)$1,475

The Week Ahead

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