Declining oil prices weighed on the markets this week; West Texas Intermediate crude, the North American benchmark, fell 9% to drop below $50 per barrel for the first time this year. Record U.S. inventory levels, partly due to scheduled refinery maintenance, but also a result of increased production, contributed to the pullback. At an industry conference this week in Houston, Saudi officials, who would prefer an oil price increase to $60 per barrel or higher, told several U.S. producers not to assume that OPEC would automatically extend its production freeze agreement in May. The comments highlight increased anxiety among global oil producers which must contend with a revitalized U.S. energy sector. Indeed, the shale industry’s competitive positioning strengthened during the OPEC-induced bear market from 2014-2016; shale oil companies reduced break-even costs while industry consolidation benefitted the strongest and most technologically advanced producers. President Trump’s promise to reduce energy-related regulations has further encouraged oil company executives to pursue aggressive growth strategies. As a result, oil prices in the near-to-medium term are likely to remain within a range of $40 and $60 per barrel, a level which should support robust U.S. energy services activity; stocks, though, may remain somewhat volatile as investors respond to periodic production and inventory data.
The February jobs report confirmed the health of the U.S. economy and all but assured a Federal Reserve rate hike next week. Total non-farm payrolls grew by 235,000, while the unemployment rate declined 0.1% to 4.7%. The “U-6” unemployment rate, which includes discouraged or part-time workers who would prefer a full-time position, fell to 9.2%; the metric, favored by Fed Chair Janet Yellen, is near pre-recession levels and down from a peak of 17.1% during the financial crisis. Meanwhile, labor force participation (the percentage of the population that is working or actively seeking work) rose 0.1% to 63.0%, as 340,000 eligible employees entered the workforce, the biggest improvement since July 2016. The increase suggests those seeking employment are feeling more hopeful about their job prospects; the reading also points to rising business confidence and expanded hiring plans. Wage growth remains somewhat muted despite the strengthening labor market; average hourly earnings rose 0.2% compared to January, and 2.8% year-over-year. Still, continued job creation will eventually lead to stronger wage gains which will, in turn, support consumer spending, the main driver of economic growth. Thus, the recent pause in stock prices is unlikely to presage a larger correction; positive economic data should support improving corporate performance and sustain the market’s positive bias.
Source: Pacific Global Investment Management Company
Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.
Last Week's Headlines
- A real market mover, the monthly employment report can influence not only investors, but short-term interest rates as well. February's report was very positive on a number of fronts. Job growth continued as 235,000 new jobs were added last month with job gains in construction, private educational services, manufacturing, health care, and mining. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.7% as both workforce participation and employment increased. The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged at 34.4 hours in February. But in a further sign of continued economic strengthening, payrolls increased by $0.06 to $26.09, following a $0.05 increase in January. Over the year, average hourly earnings have risen by $0.71, or 2.8%. This report should encourage investors as well as the Fed, which is likely to raise short-term interest rates.
- For February, the federal deficit was $192 billion. January showed a monthly budget surplus of $51 billion. The February deficit is essentially the same as the February 2016 deficit. Through the first five months of the fiscal year, the deficit sits at $349 billion. The deficit over the same period last year was $351 billion.
- The trade deficit is growing, according to the Census Bureau's final report for January. The goods and services deficit was $48.5 billion, up $4.2 billion from $44.3 billion in December. January exports were up $1.1 billion to $192.1 billion. January imports were $240.6 billion, $5.3 billion more than December imports. Year-over-year, the goods and services deficit increased $5.1 billion, or 11.8%, from January 2016. Exports increased $13.3 billion, or 7.4%. Imports increased $18.4 billion, or 8.3%.
- Export prices actually outpaced import prices in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prices for U.S. exports advanced 0.3% in February and have not recorded a monthly decline since the index fell 0.8% in August. Export prices increased 3.1% over the past 12 months, the largest over-the-year rise since the index advanced 3.6% between December 2010 and December 2011. Import prices rose for the third consecutive month in February, increasing 0.2%, after a 0.6% advance in January and a 0.4% rise in December. The price index for imports also rose over the past year, increasing 4.6%. That rise was the largest 12-month advance in import prices since a 5.1% increase in February 2012.
- In the week ended March 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment insurance claims was 243,000, an increase of 20,000 from the previous week's revised level. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate remained at 1.5%. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ended February 25 was 2,058,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level.
Eye on the Week Ahead
This week provides several important reports, including information on consumer prices, producer prices, and retail sales — each of which offers guidance on inflationary trends. The latest report on industrial production is also available at the end of the week. However, investors will be watching the results of this week's FOMC meeting, as indications are that the Committee will increase the federal funds target rate for the first time in 2017.
