Weekly Market Pulse - Week ending April 1 , 2022

Market developments

Equities:

Equity markets climbed marginally this week. Russia said it would scale back military operations as talks with Ukraine continued. In terms of data, U.S. employment numbers came in strong once again, indicating an economy that is running hot and reinforcing U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s rhetoric that the economy can withstand the coming rate hikes. Euro area inflation numbers were also released, with inflation soaring in March mainly on higher energy costs.

Fixed income:

Yields fell for the week, breaking the three-week spree when yields soared. Market attention will be on the upcoming Fed and European Central Bank minutes.

Commodities:

Oil prices declined as U.S. President Joe Biden announced another oil reserve release, this time the largest release ever. The plan would see a million barrels of oil released per day for six months, totalling 180 million barrels. This would account for approximately 5% of domestic oil consumption. Oil prices were also impacted by concerns of slowing growth in China as that nation faces a renewed COVID wave.

Performance (price return)

  As of April 1, 2022

Macro developments

Canada – Small business confidence rises; GDP expands; PMI hits new high

The CFIB Business Barometer rose to 65.1 in March, from 62.5 in February. Business confidence rose broadly across provinces, but firms continue to report shortages of both labour and input products as limits on production. The survey, however, was issued toward the beginning of the month and may not have captured the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war.  

Real GDP grew 0.2% in January, even as much of the economy was in lockdown. Goods producers increased 0.8%, while service providers were flat as high-touch sectors felt the effect of the Omicron variant. Utilities output rose a strong 4.0% for the month due to cold weather, while the hardest hit sector was accommodation and food services, which contracted 11.5%. StatsCan estimates that GDP expanded a further 0.8% in February, with notable increases in manufacturing, mining and oil, and accommodation and food services.

The S&P Global Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to the highest level recorded in the over 11-year history of the survey, of 58.9 in March from 56.6 in February. Output and new order growth accelerated, and firms positioned themselves by increasing inventory over concerns of input shortages and delays. Firms increased production and hired at an accelerated pace. Prices meanwhile continued to rise, as the Russia-Ukraine war resulted in price hikes for fuel, transportation, and metal.  

U.S. – Nonfarm payrolls increase; Conference Board consumer confidence rises despite inflation expectations; Personal income and spending rise

Nonfarm payrolls rose by 431K jobs in March, following the upwardly revised 750K in February. Hiring continues to come in strong, with employment in the services sectors rising 366K, led by professional and business services, education and health services, and retail trade. The unemployment rate fell by 0.2% to 3.6%, comparable to the 3.5% pre-pandemic level in February 2020. The participation rate, however, remains a whole percentage point below pre-pandemic levels at 62.4%.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose to 107.2 in March, from a 105.7 reading in February. Consumer views of the current situation were supported by strong employment growth, even amid concerns about rising prices and further declining purchasing intentions for big-ticket items on higher interest rate expectations. Inflation expectations reached an all-time high of 7.9%.

Personal incomes rose 0.5% in February, reflecting growth in wages and salaries offsetting decreasing government social benefits. Personal spending lagged behind, rising 0.2%. Spending for services rose 0.9%, offsetting the 1.0% decline in spending on goods.

International – China PMI declines; Eurozone CPI surges

The official China Composite PMI fell within contractionary territory with a reading of 48.8 in March, from 51.2 in February. The manufacturing PMI fell to 49.5 from 50.2, while the non-manufacturing PMI fell to 48.4 from 51.6. The survey shows deteriorating conditions in China as the country faces renewed outbreaks as curbs in various regions are dampening production and consumption. Output and new orders fell. Employment decreased slightly, and prices rose on rising costs.

Euro-area inflation rose 2.5% in March as energy prices surged 12.5% in the month. The price of food rose 0.9%, prices of industrial goods increased 2.5%, and services grew 0.4%. On a year-over-year basis, inflation rose to 7.5% from 5.9% previously.