Weekly Market Pulse - Week ending May 6, 2022

Market developments

Equities:

Equities fell for the fifth straight week in the U.S. Markets continue to be affected by volatility as the U.S. Federal Reserve and Bank of England raised key interest rates once again. Inflation and higher interest rates continue to drag on markets. The Fed stated that more hikes are on the table for the next few meetings.

Fixed income:

Yields climbed with the U.S. and Canada 10-year yield topping 3% this week. The Bank of England meanwhile forecasts that the U.K.’s consumer price index could top 10% year over year and growth could contract later in Q4.

Commodities:

Oil prices rose further as the European Union nears a deal to ban Russian oil imports as early as the end of the year. Some euro countries have pushed back given their high dependence on Russian energy imports, but could agree to a deal given extra time to comply. Copper slumped on demand concerns given fears of further lockdowns in China.

Performance (price return)

  As of May 6, 2022

Macro developments

Canada – Manufacturing PMI resilient; Canadian employment rises

The S&P Global Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index declined to 56.2 in April, compared to 58.9 in March, but continues to show a robust expansion in activity. Loosening restrictions resulted in strong demand conditions, as indicated by strong inflows of new work. Firms raised output and staffing levels, but also exhibited greatly deteriorating vendor performance during the month via reports of widespread material scarcity, truck shortages, and freight delays. Price inflation continued to increase substantially.

Canadian employment rose by 15.3K jobs in April. Service-producing sectors led the increase (+31.4K) on professional services and recreation and culture, while goods-producing sectors shed 16K jobs due to construction. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.2%.

U.S. – Fed raises rates by 50 basis points and announces balance sheet runoff to start in June; Nonfarm payrolls increase

The Fed raised rates for the second consecutive time, this time doubling the rate hike to 50-basis points and raising the Federal Fund rate to 1.0%. The vote was unanimous, indicating no dissenters even with the talk of a potential 75-bp hike. During the press conference, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said, “There is a broad sense on the committee that additional 50-basis-point increases should be on the table at the next couple of meetings” and that a 75-bp increase is not something being actively considered. Powell commented that the labour market was tight with 1.9 vacancies for every unemployed person (11.5 million vacancies to 6 million unemployed). The Fed is looking to moderate demand, which could see job vacancies come down and that could also see wages and inflation moderate without slowing the economy.

Details of the Fed balance sheet rolloff were also announced, starting in June with US$30B Treasury and US$17.5B of mortgage-backed securities per month coming off the central bank’s balance sheets, ramping up to US$60B and US$35B, respectively, after three months. Powell said that the Fed’s models show that the pace of the runoff equates to about one rate hike (or 25 bps) worth of tightening, stressing very wide uncertainty bands. The Fed said it would slow and eventually stop the decline in the size of the balance sheet when reserves are judged to be consistent with ample reserve levels.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 428K jobs in April on widespread job creation. Goods-producing sectors gained 66K, driven largely by manufacturing. Services employment gained 340K, on trade and transportation (+104K), leisure and hospitality (+78K), and education and health (+59K). The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6%.

International – Chinese PMIs plummet; BoE hikes and forecasts a possible GDP contraction later this year; German industrial production drops on supply chain disruptions

The Caixin China General Composite PMI declined to 37.2 in April, from 43.9 in March. The Manufacturing PMI held up better at 46.0, down from 48.1, while the Services PMI dropped to 36.2, from 42.0. A tightening of restrictions on the renewed COVID wave saw declines in output and new business. Employment was shed as a result. Supply chain disruptions intensified as vendor performance dropped. Some companies reported cancelled orders due to difficulties producing and shipping products. Once again, prices rose on higher commodity and transportation costs. Prices offered by service providers, however, dropped as discounts were offered to attract business amid muted conditions.

The Bank of England hiked rates for the fourth consecutive time, raising rates by 0.25% to 1.00%. The vote was 6–3, with the dissenters preferring a 50-bp hike. The central bank also provided updated projections. Inflation is expected to increase, rising to over 9% in Q2 and is now expected to peak at slightly over 10% in Q4. U.K. GDP meanwhile is expected to slow sharply, with GDP projected to contract in Q4 2022 and growth to remain broadly flat in 2023. The BoE also confirmed it would begin the process of selling U.K. government bonds and would provide an update in August.

German industrial production declined 3.9% seasonally adjusted in March. Many firms are still facing problems due to supply chain interruptions. Manufacturing production declined 4.6 and energy dropped 11.4%, while construction output grew 1.1%.