This week positive vaccine news continues to drive market optimism, while political uncertainty falls as a normal transition looks likely. The White House turning up pressure on China moves up a spot and uncertainty about further stimulus moves down. Finally, Brexit negotiations enter the homestretch.
Summary and Price Action Rundown
Global risk assets are pausing their recent rally this morning as investors continue to grapple with questions over the timeline and dynamics of a vaccine rollout while the near-term picture remains grim as the pandemic’s autumn wave continues to accelerate. S&P 500 futures indicate a 0.6% lower open after the index posted a fresh record high yesterday, gaining 1.2% today with growth-sensitive stocks remaining in the lead, to hoist its year-to-date upside to 12.3%. Equities in the EU are similarly retracing a portion of their recent upside, while Asian stocks were mixed overnight. A broad dollar index is sliding to a new multi-year low, while longer-dated Treasuries are rallying modestly, with the 10-year yield descending to 0.88%. Brent crude is fluctuating below $44 per barrel as traders look ahead to the month-end OPEC+ meeting.
Vaccine Optimism Contends with Near-Term Covid-19 Uncertainties
Markets are digesting yesterday’s latest announcement of highly encouraging vaccine data and pondering whether it is too early for the prevailing pandemic market trends to go fully into reverse. US stock indices soared to record highs yesterday after Moderna announced that its experimental coronavirus vaccine is 94.5% effective at preventing infection, according to recent results from its large-scale Phase 3 trial. Moderna is the second company to announce preliminary data on an apparently successful product, following Pfizer and BioNTech’s announcement last Monday that its experimental dose is 90% effective. Analysts also note that Moderna’s vaccine remains stable without the deep freeze required for Pfizer’s doses, easing the logistical burden of rollout. Meanwhile, Pfizer announced a four-state pilot program for distribution of its vaccine in New Mexico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas,
After yesterday’s announcement, “stay-at-home stocks” slipped, with shares of Zoom, Netflix, Logitech, and Teladoc down 1.1%, 0.8%, 0.3%, and 3.4%, respectively, while those stocks that have struggled during the pandemic rose, with AMC, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Royal Caribbean climbing 4.7%, 6.3%, and 6.9%, respectively, and all major airline carriers posting robust gains as well. However, these price responses were considerably milder than after Pfizer’s announcement last Monday and there appears to be scant follow-through today, as tech-heavy Nasdaq futures are higher while S&P 500 and Dow Industrials futures are down. This speaks to the dilemma for equity investors, who are seeing the relative appeal of the pandemic winners lessened by the vaccine news but are concerned that it is still premature to aggressively rotate to those sectors more impacted by Covid-19 given the near term resurgence in infections and relatively lengthy timeline for vaccine rollout even under the most optimistic scenarios.
US Economic Data in Focus
Although official data remains relatively resilient, this morning’s retail sales and industrial production data for October will be scrutinized for signs of backsliding. The pace of US retail sales growth in October is expected to decelerate to 0.5% month-on-month (m/m) from 1.9% in September, with the core reading that strips out autos and gasoline similarly forecast to register 0.6% versus 1.5% the prior month. These estimates for a more sober pace of consumer demand comes as high-frequency indicators, such as restaurant and travel bookings, are showing incipient signs of rolling over in recent weeks, corresponding with the nationwide surge in coronavirus cases. Analysts are pondering the degree to which the grim backdrop of the pandemic and lingering economic impact will affect holiday shopping season. Meanwhile, industrial production for October is estimated at 1.0 m/m%, which would be an improvement over September’s -0.6% reading. While manufacturing has generally held up better than service sectors during the pandemic, there have been some regional disparities. Yesterday’s release of the New York Fed’s factory gauge for November showed a slower-than-anticipated pace, printing 6.3 versus a consensus forecast of 13.5 and the previous month’s reading of 10.5. Overall, US economic indicators have evidenced resilience in recent months despite the resurgence of Covid-19 and the dwindling of fiscal support measures enacted by Congress in the spring.
Additional Themes
Pound Advances on Brexit Deal Hopes – The pound is up 0.5% versus the dollar this morning and 0.3% against the euro amid reports that negotiators from the UK and EU may be nearing a deal, with a prospective announcement possible as early as Monday. UK negotiators, however, cautioned that a breakdown in talks remains a risk, as the key points of contention over fishing rights and the “level playing field” businesses have yet to be fully resolved. Friday is seen to be a critical day as EU Chief Negotiator Barnier is set to present his progress report to EU leaders after which Prime Minister Johnson is potentially set to call European Commission President von der Leyen, pending confirmation.
Fed Nominee Shelton Faces Key Vote – After Senate Majority Leader McConnell initiated the process of confirming Judy Shelton to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors last week, she faces a procedural vote today. Shelton was one of President Trump’s nominations to the Fed’s Board, alongside Christopher Waller, though following her nomination 17 months ago, Shelton has not been able to garner enough support in the Senate to win confirmation. Senators on both sides of the aisle had criticized Shelton’s policy views for being well outside the mainstream, including her advocacy of the gold standard and questioning central bank independence. Other critics have pointed to her apparent willingness to abandon long-held views in order to conform to prevailing policy preferences of the Trump administration in an effort to secure her nomination, with Democrats flagging her supposed loyalty to President Trump after her work as an informal advisor to his campaign in 2016. Though upon Joe Biden’s victory, Senate Republicans appear to have reevaluated the nomination and are likely to vote next week. Senators Romney, Collins, and Alexander are the three Republicans in the chamber who have publicly opposed Shelton’s nomination, though with Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski’s recent affirmation of support, Shelton may finally have enough support to move forward.
Summary and Price Action Rundown
Global risk assets are surging this morning as the positive impulse from easing US political uncertainty has been further boosted by exceptionally positive news on the Covid-19 vaccine front. S&P 500 futures indicate a 3.6% jump at the open, which would add to the 7.4% rally last week that upped the index’s year-to-date gain to 8.7%, only 2.0% below early September’s record high. Equities in the EU are also soaring while Asian shares were mixed overnight. With risk appetite in ascendance, a broad dollar index is dipping to a new multi-year low, while longer-dated Treasuries are climbing, with the 10-year yield back at multi-month highs of 0.92%. Brent crude is surging toward $43 per barrel this morning as the demand outlook brightens.
US Political Uncertainty Eases as Biden Named President-Elect
Concerns over a breakdown of the rickety US electoral process and civic unrest amid extreme partisan pressures have been allayed as the slow but steady process ultimately resolved into a relatively clear-cut victory for Biden/Harris, although President Trump continues to dispute the result. Major news outlets called the election for Democratic candidate Joe Biden after he was declared the winner in Pennsylvania and Nevada early on Saturday, securing 279 electoral votes versus President Trump’s current tally of 214. Final results in the presidential race are still pending in North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Alaska though with Biden already beyond the 270 electoral votes needed to win, these results are largely academic. Biden and Harris delivered their victory speeches on Saturday night, with the President-Elect calling for national unity and announcing the formation of a coronavirus task force to coordinate a federal-level response to the worsening pandemic. President Trump has declined to concede the race and vowed to continue an array of legal challenges, seeking overturn the result while making unsubstantiated allegations of ballot fraud and unfounded declarations of victory. On the Senate front, the balance currently stands at 48-48 between the two parties. The contests in North Carolina and Alaska are expected to deliver wins to the GOP candidates, though counting is still ongoing. That puts Georgia’s two races firmly in the spotlight, as Republican frontrunner David Perdue’s vote share has slipped below 50%, resulting in two run-off elections in January for the state’s two Senate seats. The outcomes of these elections are therefore set to decide control of the Senate. While Biden may win Georgia, both Perdue and Senator Loeffler will be favored against their Democrat opponents, with a win for either keeping control of the Senate in Republican hands. – MPP view: Our base case had long been for narrow and disputed results in the presidential race and key Senate contests, with uncertainty dragging on beyond election day. And though this is how events played out over the past week, it is a great relief to us, and to financial markets, that the worst case scenario of a breakdown of our obviously creaky electoral system accompanied by major civic unrest has been avoided (thus far, at least). Meanwhile, uncertainty persists over control of the Senate, with significant policy implications, the most immediate of which is the pandemic relief bill. We expect a small lame duck session stimulus and a somewhat larger deal post-election but do not expect a GOP-controlled Senate (our base case) to go above the $500 billion level of their proposed bills, particularly since the vaccine news may be showing us the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.
Covid-19 Vaccine News Lifts Market Spirits
With the pandemic resurgence accelerating in the US, EU, and UK, this morning’s disclosure from Pfizer and BioNTech that its vaccine trials are yielding highly encouraging results is boosting investor sentiment. The drug giants have announced that their third stage vaccine trial is indicating 90% effectiveness with no serious safety concerns, with analysts expressing surprise and elation at such a positive announcement. For context, a Covid-19 vaccine was generally expected to be 60-70% effective, with the possibility that it would be even lower, like a seasonal flu vaccine, which can be merely 40% effective. The Pfizer/BioNTech trial is continuing and other biotech firms working on vaccines are expected to announce their results in the coming days or weeks as well. Pfizer has estimated that it will have 50 million doses available before the end of the year and 1.3 billion doses distributed in 2021, though each individual vaccination requires two doses. – MPP view: Outstanding news! Pending further details and additional confirmation, this is better than we dared hope. Time of rollout and degree of public uptake are key variables, and it will be a delicate policy balance to deploy sufficient stimulus and rebuild trust in the scientific community in order to facilitate deployment.
Additional Themes
Earnings Season Wraps Up – Third quarter earnings season is winding down after providing scant direction to equities. This week, a smattering of earnings reports remains on the calendar, including McDonald’s, Beyond Meat, Lyft, DR Horton, and Disney. With 448 of the S&P 500 corporates having reported, 83.2% of results have featured a positive earnings-per-share (EPS) surprise and 75.9% have topped revenue estimates, far exceeding typical rates of outpacing consensus. But since the start of reporting season, the S&P 500 had been down 0.7% going into today’s session and price action has been driven primarily by macro factors.
Oil Prices Vault Higher – With the Covid-19 vaccine news lifting growth-sensitive asset prices, crude prices are jumping this morning as the prospect of a widely available and effective vaccine brightens the demand picture. This comes as Saudi’s energy authorities have been gearing up for another contentious OPEC+ meeting later this month at which they were likely to push for a pause in plans to taper the cartel’s supply curbs despite apparent slippage in discipline among some members. The positive prospects for a near-term vaccine, however, may allow OPEC+ to continue on its current supply increase trajectory without sinking oil prices.
Vaccine news brightening the outlook and political uncertainty easing has driven risk markets significantly higher. Entering at the third spot is the odds of a stimulus, while China re-enters at four. Finally, oil prices rebound.
On election eve, the outcome of the election remains the focus of global markets, with rising Covid infection rates second. Corporate earnings move down a spot, while sinking oil prices and Brexit drama round out the top five.
In this week’s Five Minute Macro political uncertainty remains in the first spot a week ahead of the election. Corporate earnings moves into the second spot, while pandemic relief bill negotiations move down to third. Coivd infection resurgences enters at the fourth spot, with OPEC struggles remaining in fifth.
Summary and Price Action Rundown
Global risk assets are trading with a cautious tone this morning as investors continue to monitor US stimulus negotiations and digest mixed earnings reports. S&P 500 futures indicate a 0.2% lower open after the advanced 0.5% yesterday, upping the index’s year-to-date gain to 6.6%, which is 3.9% below early September’s record high. Equities in the EU are underperforming while Asian shares were mixed overnight. The dollar is sliding back toward recent lows while longer-dated Treasury yields are continuing higher within their recent range, with the 10-year yield at 0.80%. Brent crude prices remain choppy around $42 per barrel after the OPEC ministerial meeting earlier this week produced few headlines.
Pre-Election Stimulus Hopes Waver as Differences Persist
Thought House Speaker Pelosi has downplayed her self-imposed deadline of yesterday and talks are continuing today, mixed signals are dampening optimism for a pre-election pandemic relief package. With time running short for House Democrats and the White House to successfully bridge their key differences over stimulus bill terms before the election, Speaker Pelosi has signaled that she will continue negotiating through the end of the week rather than hold to her deadline of this evening. Speaker Pelosi and Secretary Mnuchin continued their talks yesterday, though no deal was finalized, and are set to meet again today. White House Chief of Staff Meadows made encouraging statements on CNBC after the closing bell, characterizing the two sides as narrowing their differences and Speaker Pelosi continued to express optimism. Senate Majority Leader McConnell, however, has reportedly been warning the White House against making a deal with House Democrats prior to the election when his priority is confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Yesterday, McConnell stated he would bring a comprehensive coronavirus bill to the Senate floor should an agreement be reached, though it is not clear whether there would be sufficient support from the GOP caucus to pass it. Meanwhile, the Senate will vote on a bill that would reallocate unused funds from the March stimulus package to resume the Paycheck Protection Program and support small businesses. Today, the Senate will also vote on a $500 billion broader stimulus package, though Democrats are expected to block both from passing.
Earnings Reports Continue to Provide Scant Support for Stocks
Amid broadly mixed results for the third quarter (Q3), the high-profile disappointment for Netflix after yesterday’s closing bell is not spilling over into broader sentiment. Shares of Netflix are down 5.3% in pre-market trading after the streaming giant added fewer subscribers than expected and guided for a lower number of subscribers in the upcoming quarter. With so-called “stay at home” stocks like Netflix leading the rebound for US equity indexes over the past six months, some analysts are suggesting that this downbeat result is another sign that despite the persistence of Covid-19, the advantage of the pandemic’s corporate “winners” might be waning. However, shares of Snap are surging, with a 23.2% gain in early trading, after the company impressed analysts with its strong sales figures after yesterday’s closing bell. Proctor & Gamble also beat estimates yesterday and posted moderate gains. Today, Tesla, Verizon, CSX, and Chipotle will issue results, with AT&T, Intel, American Airlines, Coca-Cola, and American Express reporting through the remainder of the week. With 75 of the S&P 500 corporates having reported, 86.7% of results have featured a positive earnings-per-share (EPS) surprise and 72.0% have topped revenue estimates, though these impressive upside percentages have failed to provide support to reporting company share prices, which have mostly declined following results.
Additional Themes
Google in the Antitrust Crosshairs – The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced its intent to file an antitrust lawsuit yesterday against Google, claiming the IT behemoth has engaged in conduct aimed at preserving a monopoly in search and search-advertising services, but its share price closed higher nonetheless and is rising in pre-market trading as well. The filing marks the most aggressive antitrust challenge by the US government in more than two decades, marking a significant shift from policymaker attentiveness to active pursuit of tech giants that have long been identified as suspects of monopolistic practices. Eleven states will join the federal government’s complaint which follows a year-long probe by DoJ investigators and a major congressional report finding that Google and other tech giants have wielded their dominance in anticompetitive ways.
Brexit Headlines Spur the Pound – The UK currency is up 0.8% versus the dollar this morning after EU Chief Brexit Negotiator Barnier made upbeat comments on the prospects for a deal and highlighted the EU’s “respect of British sovereignty.” These remarks drew a positive response from financial markets and also the UK government, with a spokesperson welcoming the ingratiating rhetoric.
Summary and Price Action Rundown
Global risk assets are moving higher this morning as investors ponder US stimulus prospects and await key earnings figures. S&P 500 futures point to a 0.6% higher open after the index lost 1.6% yesterday, paring the index’s year-to-date gain to 6.1%, which is 4.3% below early September’s record high. Equities in the EU are flat while Asian shares were mixed overnight. The dollar is steadying near recent lows while longer-dated Treasury yields are edging higher within their recent range, with the 10-year yield at 0.78%. Brent crude prices remain choppy around $42 per barrel after yesterday’s OPEC ministerial meeting produced few headlines.
11th Hour Fiscal Stimulus Push Comes Down to the Wire
Though investors remain focused on the base case of another round of pandemic relief spending after the election, intensifying efforts to reach a deal before tonight’s deadline are likely to keep equity market volatility elevated. House Speaker Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin proceeded with further stimulus negotiations yesterday afternoon and are set to talk again today ahead of Pelosi’s stated deadline of this evening to secure a pre-election package. Earlier this month, House Democrats had passed a $2.2 trillion package which has received stark criticism from Republicans. Likewise, the White House’s $1.8 trillion proposal fell short of the Democrats’ target. Over the past few weeks, Pelosi and Mnuchin have struggled to reach a compromise, with state and local government aid, liability protections, coronavirus funding, and tax credits as some of the major sticking points. President Trump has stated recently that he is in favor of a higher-value deal, and has even expressed his readiness to match (or exceed) Democrats’ $2.2 trillion offer. Analysts remain skeptical, however, that Senate Republicans would agree in sufficient numbers ahead of such a high-stakes election when President Trump is meaningfully lagging in the polls. Nonetheless, on Sunday, the President voiced his confidence that members of his party will sign on in support, regardless of many Republican Senators having publicly expressed staunch opposition to a multi-trillion dollar package. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is preparing a vote on repurposing the money left over in the Paycheck Protection Program and is expected to propose a narrower $500 billion coronavirus stimulus deal to the Senate, though neither stands a chance of passing the House given how the last $650 billion Senate version bill was received by Democrats.
More Mixed Earnings Provide Scant Direction to Equity Markets
High-profile reports today may help set the tone for the remainder of earnings season. After the first week of third quarter (Q3) earnings season, which features results from US megabanks, provided upside surprises on headline numbers but elicited nuanced market reactions, this week’s earnings feature a wider sector variation, including tech and consumer goods. Halliburton and IBM reported yesterday, before the opening bell and after closing bell, respectively, with their upside surprises in both sales and earnings providing little support for their share prices. Oilfield services giant Halliburton showed easing losses in its report, but its stock price closed lower as yesterday’s selloff intensified, while IBM beat estimates after the closing bell owing to the strength of cloud computing business, though its stock is down 2.8% in after-hours trading following uncertain guidance from management for future quarters. Today features results from Procter & Gamble, Netflix, Snap, Texas Instruments, and Travelers, while Tesla, Verizon, CSX, Chipotle, AT&T, Intel, American Airlines, Coca-Cola, and American Express report through the remainder of the week. With 58 of the S&P 500 corporates having reported, 86.2% of results have featured a positive earnings-per-share (EPS) surprise and 69.0% have topped revenue estimates, though these impressive upside percentages have failed to provide support to reporting company share prices, which have mostly declined following results.
Additional Themes
People’s Bank of China (PBoC) Holds Steady Despite Renminbi Strength – As anticipated, the PBoC left its Loan Prime Rate (LPR) unchanged for the sixth straight month overnight, with the one-year LPR at 3.85% and the five-year LPR 4.65%. This comes after the release of an encouraging set of September data over the weekend, featuring upside surprises in retail sales and industrial production. With China’s recovery gathering pace and the central bank continuing to refrain from aggressive monetary easing measures being enacted by its global peers, the renminbi is unsurprisingly trending stronger. Today’s slight gain has taken the Chinese currency to its highest level versus the dollar since early July 2018.
Australian Dollar Reacts to RBA Easing Hints – The Australian dollar is down 0.5% versus its US counterpart this morning, as the currency continues to descend from its nearly two-year high, as traders seize upon remarks by a Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) official hinted at the possibility of resorting to negative interest rate policy (NIRP). Specifically, RBA Assistant Governor Kent discussed the prospects for further easing, and noted that NIRP was possible. The Bank of England has made similar references to the possibility of negative rates.
Political uncertainty and relief bill negotiations remain front and center on investor’s minds. Peak earnings season moves up a spot, while Brexit negotiations enter at the fourth spot. Finally, OPEC struggles to support oil prices enters at the fifth spot.
Summary and Price Action Rundown
Global risk assets are rallying this morning amid possibly brighter US stimulus prospects and solid Chinese economic growth figures. S&P 500 futures indicate a 0.8% higher open after the index closed flat on Friday as tech stocks lagged, holding its weekly performance at 0.2% and its year-to-date gain at 7.8%, which is 2.7% below early September’s record high. Equities in the EU are modestly higher while Asian shares were mixed overnight. The dollar is sinking lower while longer-dated Treasury yields are rising within their recent range, with the 10-year yield at 0.77%. Brent crude prices remain choppy around $42 per barrel.
Fiscal Stimulus Remains in Focus Amid Last Minute Deal Push
With the prospects for post-election fiscal stimulus a key factor for investor sentiment, House Speaker Pelosi’s final offer over the weekend and President Trump’s pro-stimulus rhetoric are helping support this morning’s rally. After continuing talks with Treasury Secretary Mnuchin over the weekend, Speaker Pelosi indicated that any pre-election stimulus deal would need to approved by tomorrow and made no indication that she was altering the position of House Democrats on the $2.2 trillion package they passed into law earlier this month. President Trump, however, has shifted his rhetoric on the size of the package, stating in a campaign stop in Nevada over the weekend that he wants “a bigger number than [Pelosi] wants” and suggesting that he would be able to marshal enough GOP support on Capitol Hill to pass an upsized bill. Analysts remain skeptical, however, that Senate Republicans would agree in sufficient numbers ahead of such a high-stakes election when President Trump is meaningfully lagging in the polls. Consequently, investors remain focused on post-election scenarios for stimulus, but these latest developments still provide some slim hope of more prompt agreement and suggest that in the case that no pre-election stimulus deal is reached and President Trump wins reelection, he will push swiftly for a higher number for the bill.
Earnings Season Enters Its Second Week After a Mixed Start
Investors remain attuned to income reports after the first week of third quarter (Q3) earnings season provided upside surprises on headline numbers but elicited nuanced market reactions. Corporate earnings season thus far has provided little direction to equity markets despite a preponderance of better-than-expected earnings and sales results. Roughly 10% of S&P 500 companies issued results, the majority coming from financials including leading US banks, among which a notably high 86% exceeded earnings per share (EPS) estimates in Q3, and by a wider margin than average. Meanwhile the year-on-year decline remains the second steepest for a quarter since the 2008 Financial Crisis at -18.4% at this week’s close. Meanwhile, 82% of S&P 500 companies that have reported thus far have seen actual revenues exceed estimates by an average of 3.6%, well above the five-year average of 61% of companies. This week’s earnings feature a wider sector variation than the bank-heavy week one, including tech and consumer goods, with Halliburton and IBM reporting today and Procter & Gamble, Netflix, Snap, Tesla, AT&T, Intel, and Coca-Cola through the rest of the week.
Additional Themes
Chinese Growth Data Shows Improvement – Chinese equities were mixed overnight but the renminbi continued to strengthen versus the dollar, registering its strongest level since July 2018, after key mainland economic readings provided an encouraging picture of the ongoing recovery. The 4.9% Q3 GDP growth print was slightly lower than estimates of 5.5% but still reflected improvement from 3.2% the prior quarter, and the latest data from September was even more upbeat. Industrial production grew 6.9% year-on-year (y/y) versus 5.8% expected and 5.6% the prior month, while retail sales also surprised to the upside at 3.3% y/y versus a forecast of 1.6% and an August reading of 0.5%. Fixed asset investment for September was nearly in-line with projections at 0.8% year-to-date after the -0.3% reading for the prior month.
Oil Prices Rangebound as OPEC Meets – Today’s ministerial meeting precedes the broader summit on December 1st, when the cartel and its allies will revisit their plans for ongoing supply restrictions, which have been incrementally loosened over recent months and are expected to be reduced again at year-end. The decision to ease off the tightest level of curbs has been accompanied by the Saudis and Russians adopting a hard line on compliance with the remaining commitments, castigating members that have lagged their output cut quotas. In a feisty press conference at the mid-September monitoring committee meeting, the Saudi oil minister warned that speculators betting on lower crude oil prices would be “ouching like hell.” This comes amid reports that renewed output from Libya is already at 500K barrels per day.