Economic standpoint (Majors) Week Commencing 11/11/24Lest we Forget.
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
GDP
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The US economy expanded an annualised 2.8% in Q3 2024, below 3% in Q2 and forecasts of 3%, Personal spending increased at the fastest pace since Q1 2023 (3.7% vs 2.8% in Q2), boosted by a 6% surge in consumption of goods and robust spending on services. Government consumption rose more (5% vs 3.1%), led by defence spending. In addition, the contribution from net trade was less negative (-0.56 pp vs -0.9 pp), with both exports (8.9% vs 1%) and imports (11.2% vs 7.6%) soaring. On the other hand, private inventories dragged 0.17 pp from the growth, after adding 1.05 pp in Q2. Also, fixed investment slowed (1.3% vs 2.3%), led by a decline in structures (-4% vs 0.2%) and residential investment (-5.1% vs -2.8%). Investment in equipment, however, soared (11.1% vs 9.8%). The GDP Growth Rate in the United States is expected to be 1.50% by the end of this quarter, In the long-term, the United States GDP Growth Rate is projected to trend around 1.80% in 2025.
1.2 EUR
The Eurozone economy expanded by 0.4% in Q3 2024, doubling the 0.2% growth in Q2 and surpassing forecasts of 0.2%, according to preliminary estimates from Eurostat. Consumer spending increased moderately, driven by rising household incomes and a resilient labour market1. Exports and imports grew by 1.1% and 1.3% respectively, while government spending slightly increased. The German economy avoided a recession with a 0.2% expansion, and GDP growth quickened in France (0.4% vs 0.2% in Q2). However, Italy's economy stalled and Latvia remained in contraction (-0.4% vs -0.3%). Year-on-year, the Eurozone GDP expanded by 0.9%, marking the best performance since Q1 2023. The European Central Bank (ECB) projects that economic growth will continue to be supported by rising household incomes, a resilient labour market, and increasing confidence, with GDP growth expected to reach 1.5% in 2025.
1.3 GBP
The UK economy expanded by 0.5% in Q3 2024, below the 0.7% growth seen in Q2 and forecasts of 0.6%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Household spending increased slightly (0.2% vs 0.1% in Q2), driven by transport, housing, and miscellaneous expenses. Government consumption also rose (1.1% vs 1.4%), led by public administration and defence, which offset a fall in health spending. However, exports decreased by 0.3%, compared to initial estimates of a 0.8% rise, driven by a 2.8% decrease in goods exports. Imports increased by 6.3%, down from 7.7%. On the other hand, gross capital formation was revised higher (0.6% vs 0.4%), with business investment soaring 1.4%, compared to a 0.1% drop in the preliminary estimate. The GDP Growth Rate in the United Kingdom is expected to be 0.50% by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts' expectations. In the long term, the United Kingdom GDP Growth Rate is projected to trend around 0.60% in 2025.
Inflation
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The annual inflation rate in the US unexpectedly slowed to 2.4% in November, the lowest since March ‘21 compared to 3.4% in April and forecasts of 3.4%. Inflation has slightly increased for food by 0.2%. Shelter remains stubbornly high and expected to remain elevated, with forecasts suggesting it will reach 4.8% year-over-year in December 2024 and stay above pandemic levels well into ‘25. Transportations were down (10.5% vs 11.2%), and apparel (0.8% vs 1.0%), while energy costs rose more (3.7% vs 2.6%), particularly gasoline (2.2% vs 1.1%), utility gas service (0.2% vs -1.9%), and fuel oil (3.6% vs -0.8%). Compared to the previous month, the CPI was unchanged, the least since July 2022, against forecasts of a 0.1% increase and following a 0.3% rise in April. A decline in gasoline prices was offset by higher shelter costs. Meanwhile, core inflation slowed to 2.4% annually, the lowest rate since April 2021 and below the consensus of 3.5%. The monthly core inflation rate also fell to 0.1% from 0.2%, better than forecasts of 0.3%. Consumer prices in the US were unchanged in May 2024 after rising 0.3% in the previous period and below forecasts of a 0.1% increase. The energy index fell 2% over the month, led by a 3.6% decrease in the gasoline index. Conversely, the index for shelter rose 0.4%, while food prices edged up by 0.1%. Excluding food and energy, core consumer prices rose 0.2%, easing from a 0.3% increase in the previous month and marking a fresh 7-month low.
2.2 EUR
Over the past two months, the Eurozone has experienced a notable stabilisation in its inflation rates. After peaking at 2.6% in July 2024, the annual inflation rate has steadily declined to 2.0% in October 2024. This trend can be attributed to a slower rise in energy costs and a more moderate increase in the prices of food, alcohol, and tobacco. Additionally, the costs of services and non-energy industrial goods have shown a more contained increase. The European Central Bank’s objective of achieving a 2% inflation rate has been met, signalling a balanced approach to monetary policy and overall economic stability. Consumer confidence has also seen an improvement, with the economic sentiment indicator rising to 103.5 in October from 102.9 in the previous month, reflecting optimism about future economic conditions and stability in the region.
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The UK has also seen a similar trend in its inflation rates over the past two months, with a slight but steady decline. In September 2024, the inflation rate was recorded at 2.2%, which decreased to 2.0% in October 2024. This reduction is primarily driven by a decrease in energy prices, specifically in gas and electricity, and a slower growth rate in the cost of non-energy industrial goods. Additionally, the prices of clothing and footwear have shown a moderate increase, contributing to the overall inflation rate. The Bank of England continues to monitor these trends to ensure that inflation remains within the target range, supporting sustainable economic growth. The labour market has remained resilient, with unemployment rates stable at 3.8%, and wage growth showing a positive trend, which helps in sustaining consumer spending and overall economic activity.
3. Interest Rates
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The Federal Reserve decided to maintain the federal funds target range at 4.50%-4.75% during its November 2024 meeting, following a 25 basis points cut in September. This move marks the second rate cut this year as policymakers respond to cooling inflation. The decision aligns with the Fed's cautious approach to monetary policy, aiming to balance economic growth with price stability. The central bank's projections now anticipate one more rate cut by the end of 2024 and several additional reductions in 2025, with the long-term rate expected to settle around 3.25% by 2026. The Fed's GDP growth projections remain steady at 2.1% for 2024, reflecting a resilient economy. However, PCE inflation has been revised downward to 2.4% for 2025, indicating expectations of further easing price pressures. The unemployment rate is projected to remain steady at 4% for 2024, with a slight increase to 4.2% in 2025, as the labour market adjusts to the evolving economic conditions. This cautious but responsive approach underscores the Fed's commitment to achieving its dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability.
3.2 EUR
In the Eurozone, the European Central Bank (ECB) has continued its efforts to manage inflation by adjusting key interest rates. In October 2024, the ECB lowered the deposit facility rate to 3.25%, the main refinancing operations rate to 3.40%, and the marginal lending facility rate to 3.65%. These changes follow similar rate cuts in September and June, reflecting the ECB's commitment to ensuring inflation moves towards its 2% target. The ECB's updated assessment indicates that disinflation is progressing well, with inflation falling below the target for the first time in over three years. While short-term inflation expectations have risen slightly, the ECB remains focused on achieving medium-term price stability through a data-driven, flexible approach.
3.3 GBP
In the UK, the Bank of England has taken a cautious approach to interest rates in recent months. In its November 2024 meeting, the Bank decided to lower the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.75%, marking the second rate cut this year following a similar reduction in August. This decision was driven by evidence of slowing price growth, with September's inflation print dropping to an over three-year low of 1.7%1. Services inflation, which tends to be stickier, fell to a two-year low of 4.9%, although it remains elevated. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 8 to 1 in favour of the cut, with one member opting for a hold. The Bank now projects inflation to end the year at 2.5% and to reach 2.2% by 2026. Additionally, the expansionary budget delivered by the Labour Party is expected to lift GDP growth by 0.75% at its peak impact within a year. The Bank continues to monitor economic indicators closely to ensure that inflation remains within the target range, supporting sustainable economic growth.
4. Unemployment & NFP
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The unemployment rate in the United States increased to 4.1% in October 2024, up from 4.0% in September. This rise was driven by an increase in the number of unemployed individuals, which reached 6.649 million, up by 157,000 from the previous month. The labour force participation rate remained steady at 62.5%, while the employment-population ratio slightly decreased to 60.1%. The rise in unemployment was somewhat unexpected, as market forecasts had predicted the rate to remain unchanged.
In terms of Non-Farm Payrolls, the US economy added 272,000 jobs in October 2024, marking the highest monthly increase in the past five months. This figure surpassed market expectations of 185,000 jobs and was significantly higher than the downwardly revised 165,000 jobs added in September. The healthcare sector led the job gains with 68,000 new jobs, while other sectors such as leisure and hospitality, and professional, scientific, and technical services also saw notable increases. However, employment in mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction, construction, and manufacturing showed little or no change.
4.2 EUR
In October 2024, the unemployment rate in the Eurozone remained stable at 6.3%, unchanged from the previous month. This rate is a decrease from 6.6% in September 2023, indicating a gradual improvement in the job market over the past year. Eurostat estimates that 10.884 million people were unemployed in the Eurozone during this period. Despite the stable unemployment rate, unemployed individuals increased slightly by 13,000 compared to August 2024. The youth unemployment rate in the Eurozone saw a slight increase to 14.4% in October 2024, up from 14.3% in September. This rise highlights ongoing challenges in the labour market for younger workers, even as the overall unemployment rate shows signs of improvement1. The stability in the unemployment rate suggests that while the job market is not worsening, it is also not improving significantly, indicating a need for continued efforts to boost employment opportunities, especially for the youth.
4.3 GBP
In the United Kingdom, the unemployment rate saw a slight decline to 4.0% in the three-month period from June to August 2024, down from 4.1% in the previous quarter. This decrease brought the number of unemployed individuals down to 1.39 million, the lowest level since January 2024. The decline in unemployment was slightly better than market estimates, indicating a positive trend in the UK job market2. The labour force participation rate remained steady at 62.5%, while the employment-population ratio increased to 60.1%. This suggests that more people are entering the workforce and finding jobs, contributing to the overall improvement in the labour market. Despite the positive trend in unemployment, the UK economy faced some challenges in the labour market. The number of payrolled employees decreased by 35,000 between July and August 2024, reflecting some volatility in employment figures. However, the longer-term trend shows an increase of 165,000 paid employees compared to August 2023. The early estimate for September 2024 indicated a slight decrease of 15,000 in payrolled employees, but this figure is provisional and subject to revision. The overall employment rate increased to 75.0% in the year from June to August 2024, indicating a resilient job market despite some short-term fluctuations.
5. Manufacturing & Services
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Manufacturing: In October 2024, the U.S. manufacturing sector continued to face challenges, with the ISM Manufacturing PMI remaining in contraction territory at 46.5. This marks a seventh consecutive month of decline, driven by weak demand and ongoing uncertainties ahead of the presidential election1. Key industries such as transportation equipment and chemical products reported significant contractions, while apparel and petroleum products saw some growth. The Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cuts have yet to significantly boost manufacturing activity1.
Services: On a brighter note, the U.S. services sector experienced a notable expansion in October 2024, with the ISM Services PMI rising to 56.0, the highest level since July 2022. This growth was supported by increased employment and supplier deliveries, despite some political uncertainty and disruptions from hurricanes2. The services sector, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the economy, continues to show resilience and is expected to maintain a brisk pace of activity through the year-end holiday season.
5.2 EUR
Manufacturing: The Eurozone's manufacturing sector continued to struggle in October 2024, with the HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing PMI rising slightly to 46.0 from 45.0 in September. Despite this slight improvement, the sector has seen 28 consecutive months of contraction, the longest downturn since records began in 19972. Production volumes fell for the 19th month, constrained by a further decline in new factory orders, leading to additional job cuts. However, contractions in production, sales, and employment softened over the month.
Services: In contrast, the Eurozone's services sector showed resilience in October 2024, with the HCOB Eurozone Services PMI edging higher to 51.6 from 51.4 in September. This indicates a continued expansion, albeit at a modest pace. New contracts for service providers fell for a second consecutive month, particularly with export orders declining the most in ten months. Nonetheless, employment levels continued to rise, and respondents remained confident about activity levels in the upcoming 12 months
5.3 GBP
Manufacturing: The UK manufacturing sector contracted in October 2024, with the S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI falling to 49.9 from 51.5 in September. This marks the first time the PMI has fallen below the neutral 50.0 mark since April, indicating a contraction in the sector. The decline was driven by a lack of market optimism, slower economic growth, stretched supply chains, and concerns about the potential impact of the upcoming Budget. New work intakes and output growth saw significant reductions, reflecting the challenging environment for UK manufacturers.
Services: In contrast, the UK services sector continued to grow, albeit slower. The S&P Global UK Services PMI stood at 52.0 in October 2024, down from 52.4 in September. While the sector remains in expansion, the growth rate was the weakest since November 20233. The slowdown was attributed to heightened business uncertainty and concerns about the general economic outlook ahead of the Budget. Despite this, new business growth and employment levels in the services sector remained positive, indicating continued resilience.
6. Consumer Confidence
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In October 2024, consumer confidence in the US rebounded significantly, with the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rising to 108.7 from 99.2 in September. This increase was driven by improved perceptions of current business conditions and job availability, as well as increased optimism about future business conditions and income1. The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers' assessment of current business and labour market conditions, jumped by 14.2 points to 138.0, while the Expectations Index, reflecting short-term outlooks, increased by 6.3 points to 89.1. This rise in consumer confidence suggests that Americans are feeling more positive about the economy as the year comes to a close
6.2 EUR
In October 2024, consumer confidence in the UK experienced a slight decline, with the GfK Consumer Confidence Index falling to -21 from -20 in September. This drop to the lowest level this year was largely due to uncertainties surrounding the upcoming budget and rising energy bills, which deterred shoppers1. Despite a fall in the headline rate of inflation, consumers remain cautious about the general economic situation. However, there was a slight increase in the Major Purchase Index, suggesting some optimism about future discretionary spending.
6.3 GBP
In October 2024, consumer confidence in the Eurozone saw a modest improvement, with the consumer confidence indicator rising to -12.5 from -12.9 in September. This increase of 0.4 points was driven by slightly more optimistic views on the general economic and personal financial conditions. Despite this uptick, consumer confidence remains below its long-term average, reflecting ongoing concerns about inflation and economic stability. The improvement, however, suggests a cautious optimism among Eurozone consumers as they navigate the current economic landscape.
Overall Market outlook/summary
Market Summary/Outlook: Stocks
The return of Donald Trump to the White House has sent shockwaves through financial markets, with U.S. stocks surging to record highs. Investors are optimistic about Trump's economic agenda, which includes tax cuts, deregulation, and increased infrastructure spending. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq have both seen significant gains, driven by expectations of strong corporate earnings growth and a more market-friendly regulatory environment. However, there are concerns about rising inflation and higher interest rates, which could eventually weigh on stock valuations. The market's initial euphoria may be tempered by these factors as the new administration's policies unfold.
Market Summary/Outlook: Crypto
The cryptocurrency market has also reacted positively to Trump's return, with Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies reaching new highs. Trump's previous support for cryptocurrencies and his pledge to reduce regulatory burdens have boosted investor confidence. The price of Bitcoin surged nearly 8% to a record $75,345, while other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Dogecoin also saw significant gains. However, the market remains highly volatile, and regulatory uncertainties could pose risks. Investors are closely watching for any new policies that could impact the crypto space, as Trump's administration navigates the complex landscape of digital assets.
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