Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist
Global equity markets rallied on progress on a Greek bailout package, but reacted negatively as Greece stumbled as it approached the finish line. In the U.S., investors began to question whether the stock market rally has gone too fast in 2012.
The economic calendar was thin. Consumer credit rose sharply in December, following a strong gain in November, apparently reflecting the improvement in motor vehicle sales. The trade deficit was narrower than expected in December (implying, all else equal, a small upward revision to the 4Q11 GDP growth estimate).
Five big banks reached a foreclosure settlement with the attorneys general of 49 states and the Obama administration, which will provide mortgage adjustments for about 10% of those underwater on their mortgages and distribute checks of around $2000 to about 750,000 who were foreclosed upon through faulty or fraudulent practices. The settlement should help the housing sector to some extent, but is not expected to lead to a sharp recovery.
Next week, the economic calendar turns busy. The focus is likely to be on the reports of retail sales and consumer prices. Seasonal adjustment may magnify the impact of unusually mild weather in January (likely apparent in residential construction and industrial production). The White House’s Office of Management and Budget will release its budget outlook on Monday.
Significant deficit reduction is expected in this plan, following required discretionary spending cuts from last year’s Budget Control Act, but it will be interesting to see what gets cut and whether there will be a push to soften or postpone scheduled tax increases (the Bush tax cuts and the reduction in payroll taxes). Note that the payroll tax reduction, which is set to expire at the end of February, has yet to be extended for the full calendar year.
Indices
 | Last | Last Week | YTD return % |
DJIA | 12890.461 | 12705.41 | 5.51% |
NASDAQ | 2927.23 | 2859.68 | 12.36% |
S&P 500 | 1351.95 | 1325.54 | 7.50% |
MSCI EAFE | 1549.80 | 1518.58 | 9.72% |
Russell 2000 | 824.99 | 812.89 | 11.35% |
Consumer Money Rates
 | Last | 1-year ago |
Prime Rate | 3.25 | 3.25 |
Fed Funds | 0.12 | 0.13 |
30-year mortgage | 3.89 | 5.06 |
Currencies
 | Last | 1-year ago |
Dollars per British Pound | 1.583 | 1.610 |
Dollars per Euro | 1.330 | 1.371 |
Japanese Yen per Dollar | 77.530 | 82.370 |
Canadian Dollars per Dollar | 0.994 | 0.994 |
Mexican Peso per Dollar | 12.712 | 12.051 |
Commodities
 | Last | 1-year ago |
Crude Oil | 99.84 | 86.71 |
Gold | 1739.40 | 1363.03 |
Bond Rates
 | Last | 1-month ago |
2-year treasury | 0.27 | 0.22 |
10-year treasury | 1.98 | 1.86 |
10-year municipal (TEY) | 2.85 | 2.85 |
Treasury Yield Curve – 2/10/2012
S&P Sector Performance (YTD) – 2/10/2012
Economic Calendar
February 13th |
 — |
OMB Budget Outlook |
February 14th |
 — |
Small Business Optimism (January) Import Prices (January) Retail Sales (January |
February 15th |
 — |
Empire St. Manufacturing Index (February) Industrial Production (January) Homebuilder Sentiment (February) FOMC Minutes (January 1/24th-25th) |
February 16th |
 — |
Jobless Claims (week ending February 11th) Producer Price Index (January) Building Permits, Housing Starts (January) Philadelphia Fed Index (February) |
February 17th |
 — |
Consumer Price Index (January) Leading Economic Indicators (January) |
February 20th |
 — |
President’s Day Holiday (markets closed) |
March 9th |
 — |
Employment Report (February) |
March 13th |
 — |
FOMC Policy Decision (no press briefing) |
Treasury Yield Curve – 2/3/2012
S&P Sector Performance (YTD) – 2/3/2012
Economic Calendar
February 7th |
— |
Bernanke Testimony (Senate Budget Committee) |
February 9th |
— |
Jobless Claims (week ending February 4th) |
February 10th |
— |
Trade Balance (December) Consumer Sentiment (mid-January) |
February 14th |
— |
Retail Sales (January) |
February 15th |
— |
Industrial Production (January) |
February 16th |
— |
Producer Price Index (January) Building Permits, Housing Starts (January) |
February 17th |
— |
Consumer Price Index (January) |
February 20th |
— |
President’s Day Holiday (markets closed) |
March 9th |
— |
Employment Report (February) |
March 13th |
— |
FOMC Policy Decision (no press briefing) |
Important Disclosures
US government bonds and treasury bills are guaranteed by the US government and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and guaranteed principal value. US government bonds are issued and guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the federal government. Treasury bills are certificates reflecting short-term (less than one year) obligations of the US government.
Commodities trading is generally considered speculative because of the significant potential for investment loss. Markets for commodities are likely to be volatile and there may be sharp price fluctuations even during periods when prices overall are rising. Specific sector investing can be subject to different and greater risks than more diversified investments.
Tax Equiv Muni yields (TEY) assume a 35% tax rate on triple-A rated, tax-exempt insured revenue bonds.
Material prepared by Raymond James for use by its financial advisors.
The information contained herein has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Data source: Bloomberg, as of close of business February 9th, 2012.
©2012 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. member FINRA / SIPC.