Economic indicators are crucial for policymakers, advisors, investors, and businesses to make informed decisions regarding business strategies and financial markets. In the week ending May 23, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) fell 0.52%, while the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) was down 1.75%. This article examines three indicators from last week — existing home sales, new home sales, and consumer sentiment. These data points provide an update on the current state of the housing market and consumer attitudes about the current and future strength of the economy.
Existing home sales fell for a second straight month in April as elevated mortgage rates and increased home prices continue to weaken demand. The median price for an existing home sold last month was $407,600, an all-time high for the month of April, marking the 10th consecutive month of year-over-year increases for existing homes. New home sales fell 4.7% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 634,000 units, falling short of the expected 677,000 units. April’s sales are 7.7% below what they were a year ago, marking the first annual decline in over a year.
Consumer sentiment fell to its lowest level in six months, according to this month’s final report for the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index. The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is a monthly survey measuring consumers’ opinions with regard to the economy, personal finances, business conditions, and buying conditions. A closer look at May’s report revealed that consumers are concerned over the labor market, high interest rates, income growth, and inflation.
The outlook for the stock market's most important driver just keeps getting better. S&P 500 earnings grew 6% in the first quarter from a year ago, according to data from FactSet. When excluding dismal earnings from Bristol Myers-Squibb (BMY), the results were even better, with earnings growing 10%, per Bank of America. Consensus now sees earnings growing 11.4% in 2024, up from a projection of 10.9% on April 5. In 2025, earnings growth estimates have moved up to 14.2% in 2025 from the 11.6% growth seen that day.
On Tuesday, UBS Investment Bank US equity strategist Jonathan Golub boosted his year-end S&P 500 target to 5,600 from 5,400, citing "stronger earnings." This trend is supported by further market upside, as economic "tail risks" have declined, with consensus estimates for economic growth increasing throughout the year. Deutsche Bank's chief global strategist Binky Chadha recently told Yahoo Finance that further growth than expected in the economy could help the S&P 500 reach 6,000 by the end of the year.
Technically, the S&P500 ETF Trust index price charts depicts the ending of the 5th wave Bullish Divergence pattern which resonates with Elliot Waves theory. The Relative Strength Index which sits at 58.60 signifies weaker growth from the consumer Index.