Macro Monday 13~Purchase Managers IndexMacro Monday 13
ISM Purchasing Managers Index
The ISM Purchasers Managers Index (PMI) measures month over month change in economic activity within the manufacturing sector.
The PMI is a survey-based indicator that is compiled and released each month by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The survey is sent to senior executives at more than 400 companies in 19 primary industries, which are weighted by their contribution to U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
A PMI above 50 represents an expansion in manufacturing when compared with the previous month. A PMI reading under 50 represents a contraction while a reading at 50 indicates no change. The further away from 50, the greater the level of change.
According to Investopedia "ISM data is considered to be a leading indicator of economic trends. Not only does the ISM Manufacturing Index report information on the prior two months, it outlines long-term trends that have been building over time based on prevailing economic conditions".
The ISM reports are released on the first business day of each month for the month that has previously closed. Thus, they are some of the earliest indicators of current economic activity that investors and business leaders get regularly. Something to look out for next Monday 2nd October 2023.
The PMI focuses mainly on the five major survey areas;
1. Employment (20%)
2. New orders (30%) Covered in Macro Monday 6
3. Production/Output (25%)
4. Inventory levels (10%)
5. Supplier deliveries (15%)
We covered the ISM New Orders Index in Macro Monday 6 as it is the largest component of the Purchaser Managers Index making up 30% of the overall index. I will leave a link to the chart.
The Chart
The chart outlines the last 12 recessions (shaded red zones) with the PMI readings over the same period. As we are already aware above 50 on the PMI reading is expansionary and below 50 is contractionary (red thick line).
Three Main Findings
1. In 11 out of 12 recessions a PMI reading at or below 42 was established. This means if the PMI falls to 42 there is a 92% probability of a recession. At present we have not reached that level, we are currently at 47.6.
2. The PMI has bottomed 10 out of 12 times in Quarter 1 (between Jan – March) with the remaining two bottoms happening in Quarter 2 (both in May). This means that 83% of the time the PMI cycle appears to bottom in Quarter 1 with the most bottoms in January (6) with Feb(2) and May(2) in close second place.
- It’s worth noting that the bottom of the PMI cycle
may not be the bottom of a stock market cycle. If
we are forward looking then a rising PMI is positive
for the economy and markets but ideally a move
above 50 is the true signal of economic expansion
from a manufacturing standpoint.
3. The average PMI bottom to bottom cycle timeframe over the past 6 cycles is 58 months with the shortest being 37 months and the longest being 86 months. We are currently at month 38 and the average month of 58 is Jan 2025 with the max of 86 months being May 2027.
- How interesting is it that both these potential PMI
bottom dates line up with our two most frequent
PMI bottom months indicated in point 2 (January
and May).
- Interestingly according to U.S. government
research, since WWII the business cycle in America
takes, on average, around 5.5 years which closely
aligns with our 58 month (or roughly 5 year)
indication for the PMI chart. The business cycle
incorporates an aggregate of economic data such
as the ISM data, GDP and income/employment
metrics. We might cover the business cycle in more
detail on a future Macro Monday.
The ISM New Orders Index (30% of the PMI)
Similar to the ISM New Orders Index Chart (covered in Macro Monday 6) which makes up 30% of the PMI, we have not reached below the 42 level on this chart either which has provided a 100% confirmation of recession when we have had a definitive move below the 42 level historically.
For ISM New Orders if we stay below a sub 50 level on the ISM New Orders Chart for greater than 7 months it has resulted in a recession every time except for 1966 and 1995 (8 out of 10 times). We are currently 14 months below the 50 level which is unprecedented, with the new orders index nudging a little lower on the August reading from 47.3 down to 46.8.
ISM Data Release 2nd October 2023
When we receive our next ISM Data release next Monday 2nd October 2023 we can refer back to the PMI chart and the New Orders Index Chart and see how things have progressed and if we have reached and critical levels.
These charts and the others I have completed on Macro Mondays are all designed so that you can revisit them at any point and press play on TradingView and see if we are breaking new into higher or lower risk territory.
I hope they all help towards your investing and trading decisions.
Have a great Monday guys, Lets get after it!
PUKA
Neworders
ISM Manufacturing New Order IndexMacro Monday (6)
United States ISM Manufacturing New Order Index - ECONOMICS:USMNO
This week I have honed in on the Institute of Supply Management Manufacturing New Orders Index (ISM New Orders Index) as it is the largest component of the headline Purchaser Managers Index(PMI) making up 30% of that index. I also make the case below for how it can act as leading indicator of demand by way of trend projection.
The ISM New Orders Index is an indicator of U.S. economic activity based on a survey of more than 300 purchasing managers at manufacturing firms advising if orders have increased, decreased or stayed the same. Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month.
A reading above 50 indicates the expansion in the manufacturing sector which is interpreted as a positive indicator of economic growth. A reading below 50 indicates a contraction in the manufacturing sector which suggests a slowing economy.
According to Investopedia "ISM data is considered to be a leading indicator of economic trends. Not only does the ISM Manufacturing Index report information on the prior two months, it outlines long-term trends that have been building over time based on prevailing economic conditions".
The ISM reports are released on the first business day of each month for the month that has previously closed. Thus, they are some of the earliest indicators of current economic activity that investors and business people get regularly.
ISM New orders provide an indication of current consumer demand. Utilizing a chart of New Orders readings we can attempt to understand the trend of consumer demand forward. ISM New Orders could be considered an additional gauge of consumer sentiment because if businesses are reporting increases in orders month over month, this demonstrates consumers have the consistently had the resources and the desire to spend. If this continues over months a trend can form and we can capture this direction on a chart.
To support the ISM predictive argument I include a chart that illustrates a correlation between the ISM Manufacturing New Orders Index and the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, the latter of which is considered one of thee leading indicators for predicting future consumer spending/demand. This will be posted in the comments.
According to the University of Michigan, the Consumer Sentiment Surveys "have proven to be an accurate indicator of the future course of the national economy."
Based on the above correlation I postulate that we can use the ISM New Orders Index as an additional leading/predictive indicator to establish what direction consumer demand is trending.
The ISM New Orders Chart
Focusing on the ISM Manufacturing New Orders Index Chart you can see that a breach below the sub 50 level can act as a leading or affirming indicator of a slowing economy, lowering consumer demand/sentiment and ultimately recession.
Orange Zone
Historically If we enter into the orange area and stay there for greater than 7 months it has resulted in a recession every time except for 1966 and 1995 (8 out of 10 times). Some analysts have recognised and compared the similarities of the current period to the 1995/96 period. The similarities are evident on this chart with two touches or bounces from the red zone which appears to be happening at present. The August and September ISM New Orders reading will ultimately tell us if this will play out similar to 1995/96 or not. We know what to expect if it doesn’t.
Red Zone
Anytime we have entered into the red zone we have confirmed a recession. Its key to realise that recessions are typically assigned 8 months after they have started and this could mean we are already in one... Interestingly we have toe dipped into the red zone twice, in Feb and May 2023 however I do not see this as a definitive move into the red zone, I see these as bounces from this level as noted above.
Moment of Truth for ISM New Orders
What is clear from looking at the chart is that we are at a critical juncture as we have been 13 months in the orange zone which is a historic first. The coming months readings for August (released Sept) and September (released Oct) will be vitally important for providing an indication of the direction of the economy.
A drop down into the red zone and you know what to expect. A rise out of the orange area and above the 50 level would be positive however we have been rejected from areas above 50 in the past (see red lines on chart). I have included some rough fractals from periods in the past (arrows in grey) where we were previously rejected from the 52 and 54 level only to be dumped back into the red and into recession. It’s great that we are aware of these potential false flags so that we don’t get ahead of ourselves. It’s important to note that these fractal examples from 1980, 1990 & 1967 are not projections, just observations from past readings on what may be possible. It only highlights that we need to be cautious, even if we rise above the 50 level, we can be rejected into recession from the 52 and the 54 level. This is why we need help from other charts and indicators to help gauge the likelihood of a continuation higher or rejection lower.
Here on Macro Mondays we have been and will continue to build a portfolio of leading market charts/indicators that you can check for free on my Trading View and see how they are all progressing. These charts will include trigger events and will be updated as matters progress. The charts can help inform you of the direction of the economy, the market and help you anticipate or time any potential looming recession.
Some prior charts and their indications to date (all linked under this article);
Concerning Charts:
o Macro Monday 2 – The 2/10 year Treasury Spread FRED:T10Y2Y : The current yield curve inversion on the 2/10 year Treasury Spread historically provided an advance warning of recession/capitulation in 2000, 2007 & 2020 however it provided us a wide 6 - 22 month window of time from the time the yield curve made its first definitive turn back up to the 0% level. September will be month 6 of that 6 – 22 month window and thus we are clearly entering dangerous territory.
o Macro Monday 6 – ISM Manufacturing New Orders Index ECONOMICS:USMNO : Its clear from our chart shared today that the ISM New Orders Index is also entering into dangerous territory having been below the sub 50 level and in the orange zone for 13 months. This has never happened before without a recession, bar a lessor 12 month timeframe in the orange zone in 1995/96. The ISM Manufacturing New Orders readings for August and September will be vital indicators for the direction of the economy.
o Macro Monday 4 – Global Net Liquidity Vs S&P 500 NYSE:GNL : We shared this chart on the 3rd July as an advance warning of an imminent and expected pull back in the $SPX500. A negative divergence was evident on the chart as Global Net liquidity was decreasing for 6 months from Jan – July 2023 and the S&P 500 increased over the same period. Please review the chart press play and see how accurate this call has been. GNL is currently signalling at minimum a continued correction over the months of Aug and Sept.
Side Note: I am very aware of the Halloween effect in which markets rally into the months of October – December thus a pull back in Aug/Sept could end up being short term with a surge in the markets in October. The ISM reading for August (released in Sept) and September (released October) should help us gauge what outcome is more likely. Any increase/decrease in GNL will also offer insight over those months. Aside from this we should be aware of any Fiscal Stimulus that is announced as this would likely have a significant impact. I hope to cover Fiscal Stimulus in coming Macro Mondays, it’s a work in progress.
Charts Demonstrating Strength:
o Macro Monday 1 - Dow Jones Transportation Index ( DJ:DJT ): The transportation sector acts as a leading indicator as it is further up the value chain ahead of the final products being sold by companies in Dow Jones Industrial Average $DJI. It is similar to ISM Manufacturing New orders in this regard, ahead of or at point of sale execution. When the Dow Jones Industrial Average TVC:DJI is climbing higher while the DJT is falling (Negative Divergence), it can be a signal of economic weakness ahead, this occurred prior to March 2020 capitulation, making this a very valuable tool to have in our arsenal.
- In our chart recently shared a positive weekly MACD cross gave us a heads up that price might break through strong resistance levels, which it in fact did. If we can make the prior resistance level support and bounce off the support, price could stretch to all-time highs at which point we can reassess.
o Macro Monday 3 – SPDR Homebuilder Index AMEX:XHB : The Chart can be used as a leading indicator for the US housing market as the stocks in the XHB comprise of companies that provide the materials and products to build new houses and renovate homes. These products are higher up the supply chain and sold before construction commences or during. In the past the XHB chart provided a significant advance 12 month+ warning of the 2007 Great Financial Crisis which is illustrated in red on that chart.
- Since sharing the chart price appears to be on course to testing its all time high and has a bullish MACD Cross on the monthly. This could also be a double top however historic positive MACD Cross performance suggests we have higher to go. Its looking positive.
o Macro Monday 5 – Arca Major Markets Index (XMI): The XMI has proven itself as a leading indicator as it provided an advanced 9 month warning of the follow up recession/capitulation price action that initiated in Sept 2000 on the S&P 500.
- Since we shared this chart it has broken above its all time highs and is currently resting on support. A bounce higher here would be confirmation of the uptrend, however this could be a false breakout which would be confirmed if we lost the support. This chart will be important to watch for the August – September period also, again highlighting just how important these 2 months are.
Conclusion
Its clear from all of the above charts that the price and readings for the months of August and September 2023 will be critical to determining the potentiality of a recession / market capitulation or for letting us know will there be continuation of climbing the wall of worry. Its clear that we are at an inflection point over the next 60 days. Based solely on the charts shared to date the fact that the DJT, XMI and XHB are still leaning bullish, I remain long term long until these charts break down or the GNL and ISM Manufacturing Index confirms to the downside. That does not mean that we can’t get a 10% ,15% or 20% pullback in the S&P over the next 60 days, this would not surprise me, however based on some of the charts I have shared previously I think it is probably that this will be a temporary pull back. This leans me towards thinking that if there is a hard landing, it will come later in 2024 or even 2025. If that view changes and the above positive charts pull back, ill be the first to let you know.
Stay Nimble folks, August and September are decision time.
PUKA
Macro Monday 23 ~ US Factory Orders (released today 15:00 GMT)Macro Monday 23
US Factory Orders - ECONOMICS:USFO - Released Today
U.S. Factory Orders (USFO) are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau at the start of each month. The next release for the month of October is today Monday 4th Dec 2023 at 15:00 GMT.
The USFO Report provides information on the total dollar value of new orders, shipments, and unfilled orders for durable and non-durable goods. You might recall Macro Monday 18 where we looked at the at the Durable Goods Report (ticker: FRED:DGORDER ) which only provides data on new orders received on durable goods in isolation (goods lasting longer than 3 years) whilst the USFO Report is more comprehensive and includes durable goods, non-durables (items used once or not lasting a long time like light bulbs, detergent and clothing etc.), and also includes sub trends within durables and non-durables.
Let’s have a quick look at the differences between the USFO report and Durable Goods Report below;
U.S Factory Orders Versus Durable Goods
The USFO Report is more comprehensive than the Durable Goods Report, the USFO Report examines trends within industries. For example, the Durable Goods Report may account for a broad category, such as computer equipment, whereas the USFO Report will detail figures for computer hardware, semiconductors, and monitors. This lack of detail in the Durable Goods Report is attributed to the speed at which it is released.
Time Difference of the Releases: The Durable Goods Report for October was released almost two weeks ago on the 22ndNov 2023 whilst the USFO more comprehensive report (featured today) will be released today Monday 4th December 2023. It important to know this so you can get an early indication off the Durable Goods report as to how the later USFO Report may lean.
The USFO Charts
Whilst the figures within the USFO are reported in the billions of dollars, the chart shared today shows the percentage change month over month. Readings above 0% are more favorable and below 0% are less favorable. Essentially the increase or decrease shows the overall change in percentage terms orders from month to month.
Chart 1 – US Factory Orders (USFO)
▫️ The grey line on this chart shows how the volatile the percentage month to month readings can be for the USFO. For this reason we have assigned a 12 month moving average which smooths out the data making it easier to assess the longer term trend (thin Dark Blue line).
- On Chart 1 at present you can see that the 12 month MA recently came down to the just below the 0% level and has since started to turn upwards which is positive.
- From July 2023 to present we have moved from -2% to +2.8% (a positive move indeed)
Chart 2 – USFO 12 Month Moving Average (with S&P500 for reference)
▫️ In this chart we have isolated the US Factory Orders 12 month moving average and filled the area with the color dark blue from the 0% level to whatever reading was above it or below it. In other words, the USFO 12 month moving average is the exact same as in Chart 1 but illustrated differently, we just widened it vertically to make it easier to appreciate visually and we filled the area between the 0% line and whatever its reading was on the 12 month MA.
I have included the S&P500 in purple as a rough reference of what the market was doing when we fell below the 0% level on the 12 month moving average (red zones on the chart).
USFO Chart 2 informs us of the following:
- The most obvious finding when you look at the chart is that the S&P500 can go down sideways or upwards even with the USFO 12 Month MA below zero, therefore it is not a good standalone indicator of a general market decline. For this reason I have not utilized it as a pre-recession indicator.
- We can observe that sudden declines from high readings down to below 0% on the USFO 12 month MA can precede S&P500 market decline (see lower reddish arrows on the Chart 2). This appears to have happened before most market declines or as the market declines occur, its just that its happened also when the markets continued upwards, so it is a warning indicator but its not an absolute stand alone indicator. I think we can agree that if the USFO reading is going suddenly down and below 0% it is not a good thing for the market in general but price can be contrary and we need to keep in mind that the market can “climb walls of worry” for a long time.
- If we look at the red shaded areas, we can see that during these specific periods when the USFO 12 month MA was below 0%, in three out of four of the red areas on the chart you could argue that the market was range bound and moved relatively sideways, meaning real returns during these periods would have been less than ideal (Real returns are what is earned on an investment after accounting for taxes and inflation). Inflation and taxes could have more easily corroded your returns during these periods as the entry price into the red zone was not all that different to the exit price.
In reference to the real returns comment above, Lyn Alden a highly respected economist has been touting for months that she suspects a rangebound market, similar to the brief range bound markets in the first three red zones in Chart 2 (left to right). Worth keeping in mind that we recently dipped below the 0% level and should this occur again and we sustain a sub 0% level, it may indicate that real returns might be negative going forward (subject to below 0% reading). This is not a prediction and there are no guarantees. We are just looking at the data and trying to lean on the right side of probability. Three out of Four times in the recent past real returns were not great when the USFO 12 month MA fell below 0%.
Durable Goods Report
We mentioned the Durable Goods Report above which was released almost two weeks earlier than the U.S. Factory Orders (on 22ndNov 2023). Durable Goods is more specific and focuses on the obvious, durable goods (goods that last 3 years or longer) whilst the USFO Report is more comprehensive and in addition includes non-durables (items used once or not lasting a long time like light bulbs, detergent and clothing), and it also includes sub trends within durables and non-durables.
Using New Orders for Durable Goods to Anticipate Market Direction
▫️ We previously shared how the Durable Goods chart can be used to help anticipate price movements on the S&P500, in addition to providing an advance insight into the USFO report release which is released two weeks later.
▫️ The 30 month moving average for Durable Goods can act as a threshold level for buy and sell signals for the S&P500 whilst also providing advance warnings of recession and/or capitulation events. This has been clearly illustrated in the chart.
The main findings in the chart are as follows:
1. When Durable Goods Orders(blue) fall below the 30 month moving average(brown) this is sell signal
2. When Durable Goods Orders(blue) break above the 30 month moving average(brown) this is a buy signal
3. Declining durable goods and/or a fall below the 30 month moving average has offered advanced warning of recession and/or capitulation.
The chart demonstrates that using the 30 month moving average for Durable Goods New Orders can very useful in determining market trend.
At present we are above the 30 month moving average and the moving average appears to be trending upwards however the release on the 22ndNov 2023 came in lower dropping from $294 billion down to $279 billion. This provides insight into the USFO, with durables on the decline, will we see non-durables on the decline too and a lower USFO today Monday 4th Dec 2023?
We can continue to monitor the Durable Goods chart and watch for a cross of the 30 month moving average as an additional confirmation of a change to a bearish trend for the S&P500 when or if it happens. For now this is just another chart to help us identify bearish/bullish trend changes by using the economic data from Manufacturers New Orders for Durable Goods.
Similarly the USFO Report (inclusive of non-durables) which is released today should be interesting, I wonder could we see a drop down below the 0% level or a decline from the 2.8% MoM level in line with the Durable Goods decline already observed on the 22nd Nov 2023. We will find out later today.
SUMMARY
In summary, when the USFO 12 Month Moving Average drops and remains below 0% there is an increased probability of a rangebound market with an increased likelihood of negative real returns.
Separately, the Durable Goods Chart 30 month moving average has been apt at indicating buy and sell triggers for the S&P500. At present we are falling down towards the 30 moving average but we have not crossed it yet so no trigger event here. We wait for todays USFO report release and the next Durable Goods Report later in December as we do not have any trigger events on either, just cautionary data to keep an eye on.
I hope you found this useful in understanding and making use of both these important metrics which capture consumer spending habits and sentiment.
PUKA
Macro Monday 18~Durable Goods SignalsMacro Monday 18
Using New Orders for Durable Goods to Anticipate Market Direction
This week we are using the Manufacturers New Orders for Durable Goods Survey data (“Durable Goods”) to help anticipate price movements on the S&P500. The 30 month moving average for Durable Goods can act as a threshold level for buy and sell signals for the S&P500 whilst also providing advance warnings of recession and/or capitulation events. This has been clearly illustrated in the chart.
Durable Goods Explained
Durable goods orders is a broad-based monthly survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau that measures current industrial activity which proves to be is useful as an economic indicator for investors. Durable goods orders reflect new orders placed with domestic manufacturers for delivery of long-lasting manufactured goods (durable goods) in the near term or future.
A high durable goods number indicates an economy on the upswing while a low number indicates a downward trajectory.
Durable goods orders tell investors what to expect from the manufacturing sector, a major component of the economy, and provide more insight into the supply chain than most indicators. This can be especially useful in helping investors understand the earnings in industries such as machinery, technology manufacturing, and transportation.
What’s Included in Durable Goods?
Durable goods are expensive items that last three years or more. As a result, companies purchase them infrequently. Examples include machinery and equipment, such as computer equipment, industrial machinery, and raw steel, as well as more expensive items, such as steam shovels, tanks, and airplanes—commercial planes make up a significant component of durable goods for the U.S. economy. Many analysts will look at durable goods orders, excluding the defense and transportation sectors as large once off orders can often skew the figures.
Durable goods orders data can often be volatile and revisions are not uncommon, so investors and analysts typically use several months of averages instead of relying too heavily on the data of a single month. In our chart we have found the 30 month moving average to be particularly apt as a threshold level
The Chart
In the chart we have the Durable Orders metric in blue and the S&P500 in baby blue. The 30 month moving average on Durable Goods (Dark Brown Line) is used as a threshold level for buy and sell signals.
When the blue line for new orders of Durable Goods definitively passes the 30 month moving average (Dark Brown Line) this provides the buy or sell signal based on whether it moves above or below the average.
Main Findings
1. When Durable Goods Orders(blue) fall below the 30 month moving average(brown) this is sell signal
2. When Durable Goods Orders(blue) break above the 30 month moving average(brown) this is a buy signal
3. Declining durable goods and/or a fall below the 30 month moving average has offered advanced warning of recession and/or capitulation.
Sell Signal Record
(Blue line crossing below Dark Brown Line)
▫️ In Oct 2000 five months before the Dot.Com Crash which commenced in Mar 2001, the Durable Goods Moving Average provided a sell signal offering an five month advanced warning of recession.
▫️ In Dec 2007 the Great Financial Crisis (“GFC”) commenced and whilst New Orders for Durable Goods had not passed below the moving average before the recession it did pass the moving average mid recession signalling an advance warning of the major capitulation event of the GFC crash. Once again Durable Goods was of great utility in avoiding unnecessary losses.
▫️ A sell signal triggered in Oct 2014 and whilst there was no crash, the S&P500 price oscillated sideways for >24 months post signal and only increased in value by 9%. During this 24 month period capital would have been better allocated somewhere offering a better than 9% return.
▫️ In Feb 2019 one year before the COVID-19 Crash the Durable Goods Moving Average provided an advanced sell/recession signal, and whilst the S&P500 did rally c.13.5% after the signal over the subsequent 12 months, the S&P500 ultimately fell 23% thereafter in a matter of months taking back all those gains and more.
Buy Signal Record
(Blue line crossing above Dark Brown Line)
▫️ As you can see from the chart the buy signals provide a great confirmation of trend, that price on the S&P500 will likely continue in an upwards trajectory.
▫️ For the four buy signals confirmed we had 50 months of upwards price pressure on the S&P500 on the first two occasions and on the latter two 18 months and 15 months of upwards price action.
▫️ Taking the four aforementioned buy signals, an the average return was 60.5% f(max return possible from a buy signal the market high).
▫️ The performance from a buy signal to sell signal was an average of 43% across the four instances.
The chart demonstrates that using the 30 month moving average for Durable Goods New Orders can very useful in determining market trend.
At present we are well above the 30 month moving average and appear to be trending upwards. We can continue to monitor this chart and watch for a cross of the 30 month moving average as an additional confirmation of a change to a bearish trend for the S&P500 when it happens. For now this is just another chart to help us identify bearish/bullish trend changes by using the economic data from Manufacturers New Orders for Durable Goods.
As always folks, stay nimble
PUKA