Main financial assets discussed:
- Inflation
- Interest rates
- Treasury yields
- Medical Properties Trust (MPW)
- S&P 500 (SPY)
Top 3 key points:
1. Negative real rates have been the norm for the past two decades, but currently, we likely have positive real rates. It is important to use the right measurement periods to evaluate real rates accurately.
2. Inflation should be defined more precisely, and the use of trailing data for housing in inflation indexes can lead to underestimation or overestimation of market price changes.
3. The Federal Reserve may raise rates again, driven by the desire to maintain a tough image and the market's optimism about a no-recession scenario. However, strong real economic growth is unlikely.
Recommended actions: **Hold**
### Summary
Investor Jeremy Grantham warns that the U.S. will experience a recession next year due to the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes and unsustainable asset prices.
### Facts
- Grantham believes the Fed's previous predictions and actions have been wrong, and it has failed to predict recessions in the past.
- He argues that the economy is still feeling the impact of the Fed's interest rate hikes, which are increasing borrowing costs and depressing real estate prices.
- Grantham criticizes the Fed for stimulating asset price bubbles with low interest rates and aggressive purchases of securities.
- He predicts that the unsustainable growth in asset prices and a lack of investment in key raw materials will lead to a recession.
- Economist David Rosenberg shares Grantham's bearish outlook and warns of headwinds to the U.S. economy, including China's economic issues and the end of the U.S. student debt relief program.
- Both Grantham and Rosenberg have had to push back their recession predictions but remain convinced that rising interest rates will eventually lead to an economic downturn.
### Summary
The US economy and markets appear to be in good shape, with a strong stock market, low inflation, and low unemployment. However, there are potential risks on the horizon, including the impact of the Federal Reserve's monetary tightening, supply and labor shocks from the pandemic, political polarization, and the possibility of another government shutdown. While the overall outlook for investing remains uncertain, it's important for investors to prepare for any eventuality.
### Facts
- The US stock market is close to its 2022 peak, inflation is less severe than a year ago, and the economy remains strong with low unemployment.
- The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by 5 percentage points, which could lead to economic growth faltering.
- The US economy is facing supply and labor shocks from the pandemic and commodity shortages caused by Russia's war with Ukraine.
- Falling prices in China could contribute to disinflation in the US and elsewhere.
- Political polarization in the US and the possibility of another government shutdown could negatively impact the economy and markets.
- Despite the resilience and stability of the economy and markets, there are still risks to consider, including a crisis in commercial real estate and the potential for inflation to flare up again.
- Some economists and surveys predict a 50% probability of a recession occurring within the next 12 months.
- Investing should be based on a long-term outlook and a diversified portfolio, with cash on hand to cover expenses.
Note: Due to the nature of the text provided, some of the facts may be subjective or based on the author's opinion.
Despite recent positive economic indicators, experts warn that a recession may still be on the horizon due to the lagged effects of interest rate hikes, increased debt, and a slowing manufacturing sector, cautioning investors not to become complacent.
A stock market rally is expected in the near term, as recent market corrections have created potential opportunities for investors to increase equity exposure, despite the possibility of a 5-10% correction still lingering. Additionally, analysis suggests that sectors such as Utilities, Staples, Real Estate, Financials, and Bonds, which have underperformed in 2023, could present decent upside potential in 2024, particularly if there is a Federal Reserve rate-cutting cycle.
Despite the optimism from some economists and Wall Street experts, economist Oren Klachkin believes that elevated interest rates, restrictive Federal Reserve policy, and tight lending standards will lead to a mild recession in late 2023 due to decreased consumer spending and slow hiring, although he acknowledges that the definition of a recession may not be met due to some industries thriving while others struggle.
Despite the inverted yield curve, which traditionally predicts an economic downturn, the US economy has remained strong due to factors such as fiscal and monetary stimulus efforts and a lag time before interest rate hikes impact the economy, but some bond market experts believe the yield curve will eventually prove to be a good indicator for the market and the economy.
This article does not mention any specific stocks. The author's advice is to rotate out of historically overvalued financial assets and into historically undervalued critical resources. The author's core argument is that there is a high probability of a recession in the next twelve months, and they believe that the Fed's policies will contribute to this recession. The author also highlights potential risks in the junk bond market, the private equity industry, and the banking sector.
Stocks are overvalued and a recession is expected in the first half of next year, according to economist Steve Hanke. He predicts that inflation will cool, Treasury yields will fall, and house prices will remain stable.
Investors are speculating about the likelihood of a recession after recent data showed a decline in job openings, and Key Advisors Wealth Management CEO Eddie Ghabour believes that the market is not prepared for a recession and it could bring about significant volatility. Ghabour highlights factors such as the JOLTS data, earnings season results, and housing market data to support his recession forecast. He also mentions concerns about rising inflation and its impact on the bond market. Ghabour predicts that a recession could lead to a double-digit drop in equity markets and suggests buying the long end of the Treasury curve as a top trade if a recession occurs.
Despite the appearance of a "Goldilocks" economy, with falling inflation and strong economic growth, rising yields on American government bonds are posing a threat to financial stability, particularly in the commercial property market, where owners may face financial distress due to a combination of rising interest rates and remote work practices. This situation could also impact other sectors and lenders exposed to commercial real estate.
Fidelity International's Salman Ahmed maintains his prediction of a recession next year, citing the full impact of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy tightening and a wave of corporate debt refinancing as leading factors.
Economist David Rosenberg warns that the US is likely to enter a recession within six months due to the deterioration of credit quality, reminiscent of the 2008 mortgage crisis.
Jeremy Siegel, known as the "Wizard of Wharton," believes that the US stock market is in a good position due to receding inflation threats, and that the housing market is resilient as investors view both as valuable hedges against inflation. Additionally, a softer labor market could delay the Federal Reserve's interest rate hike until December.
Despite weak economic news and concern over a slowing economy, there is still optimism among investors that a recession is unlikely.
The global economic slowdown and U.S. recession risks are causing concern among officials, with experts discussing recession forecasts and advising investors on portfolio and sector strategies.
The US economy is predicted to enter a recession by spring, leading to a 25% or more crash in the S&P 500, according to economist David Rosenberg, who warns that American consumers are nearing their spending limits and rising home prices reflect a weak housing market.
Deutsche Bank strategists warn that the U.S. economy has a greater chance of entering a recession within the next year due to high inflation and the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hike campaign.
The US economy is facing a looming recession, with weakness in certain sectors, but investors should not expect a significant number of interest-rate cuts next year, according to Liz Ann Sonders, the chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab. She points out that leading indicators have severely deteriorated, indicating trouble ahead, and predicts a full-blown recession as the most likely outcome. Despite this, the stock market has been defying rate increases and performing well.
The former economic advisor to Donald Trump, Steve Moore, warns that the US housing market is at risk of deflation due to high mortgage rates, and coupled with rising costs and inflation, individual Americans are at risk of financial strain.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's recession probability tool, which examines the difference in yield between the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond and three-month bill, suggests a 60.83% probability of a U.S. recession through August 2024, indicating that stocks may move lower in the coming months and quarters. However, historical data shows that U.S. recessions are typically short-lived, and long-term investors have little to worry about.
Entrepreneur Jaspreet Singh warns that signs of a potential recession in America include labor shortages, inflation-driven spending, and high interest rates, with economists predicting that the country may start feeling the effects of a recession by the second quarter of 2024. Singh advises Americans to educate themselves about saving money and investing to prepare for the possible downturn.
Renowned economist Nouriel Roubini, also known as Dr. Doom, believes that the US economy has likely avoided a severe recession but may still face a mild recession in the near future due to risks such as inflation and credit issues.
Bearish economist David Rosenberg is sticking to his thesis that the US economy is at serious risk, listing 10 reasons including the withdrawal of fiscal stimulus, rising consumer credit delinquency rates, high mortgage rates, and the impact of external factors such as the US auto industry strike and potential government shutdown.
The forecasted U.S. recession in 2024 is expected to be shorter and less severe than previous recessions, with the economy's interest-rate sensitivity much lower due to reduced leverage and elevated savings from the postpandemic environment, leading investors to consider positioning for investment opportunities that will drive markets into 2024.
There are four risks that could potentially push the US economy into a recession sooner rather than later, including a weakening labor market, headwinds for the consumer, high borrowing rates, and the rising chances of a government shutdown, according to Raymond James.
The recent surge in long-term interest rates, reaching the highest levels in 16 years, poses a threat to the US economy by putting the housing market recovery at risk and hindering business investment, as well as affecting equity markets and potentially slowing down economic growth.
Economist David Rosenberg believes a recession is highly likely in the U.S. within the next six months, citing economic headwinds such as rising oil prices and student loan payments, and highlighting the impact of fiscal stimulus fading and consumers slowing their spending.
Veteran economist David Rosenberg maintains his bearish call on the US economy, predicting a recession to hit about two years after the beginning of a rate hike cycle, with the fourth quarter of this year serving as a litmus test for his prediction.
A recession is highly likely in the US and investors should prepare for it by adopting a defensive strategy, according to the CEO of the TCW Group, Katie Koch, who believes that the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes will start to have an impact and expects consumers and companies to struggle in this environment.
Deutsche Bank's economists are still predicting a US recession despite the ongoing resilience of the economy, pointing to rapidly rising interest rates, surging inflation, an inverted yield curve, and oil price shocks as the four key triggers that historically have caused recessions and are currently happening.
Investors should be cautious as signs of a potential market downturn continue to emerge, with narrowing market breadth, worsening market sentiment, surging Treasury yields, climbing oil prices, and a hefty revision of consumer spending revealing a decrease in spending that could impact economic growth.
The bond yield curve, a reliable predictor of economic downturns, is warning of serious trouble ahead, as it has accurately predicted the last six recessions since 1978. The inverted yield curve, which is currently being observed, indicates investor panic and adds to the sense of a looming recession.
Some economists and analysts believe that a recession is on the horizon due to factors such as the contraction in U.S. money supply, the shift in monetary policy, and the trajectory of inflation, and suggest that investors consider hedging against a possible recession by investing in defensive stock market sectors such as consumer staples and healthcare, through index funds like the Vanguard Health Care ETF and the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF.
The author discusses various predictions and observations regarding the financial market, political landscape, and societal issues, highlighting potential risks and opportunities.
Falling bond prices in the US, resulting in higher Treasury yields, suggest that a recession might be approaching, according to investor Jeff Gundlach, who is closely watching the upcoming jobs report for further signs.
Falling U.S. bond prices and the rapid normalization of the Treasury yield curve are signaling that a recession may be imminent, according to DoubleLine Capital founder Jeff Gundlach, who will be closely monitoring the September jobs report for further clues.
Violent moves in the bond market have sparked fears of a recession and raised concerns about housing, banks, and the fiscal sustainability of the U.S. government, with the 10-year Treasury yield reaching 4.8% and climbing steadily in recent weeks, its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.
The American economy is facing a softening trend, with depleted savings, rising debt, and increasing inflation putting pressure on consumer spending power, making a near-future recession highly likely, which could benefit real estate investment trusts (REITs) due to falling interest rates.
Amidst economic uncertainty, experts predict a looming recession next year, with varying degrees of certainty, due to factors such as increased costs, global variables, and a potential decline in consumer spending.
Despite disappointing performance in 2023, bond market experts believe that fixed income investments, particularly bonds, have a positive outlook due to the expectation that the Federal Reserve will soon stop raising interest rates. The rise in bond yields presents a buying opportunity, with reasonable valuations and high yields offering potential returns. However, the threat of elevated interest rates remains, impacting the value of fixed income investments. The experts advise diversifying within the fixed income asset class, considering options such as Treasuries, municipal bonds, and high-yield bonds, while being cautious about credit quality and duration.
Investors are closely monitoring the bond market and September CPI data to determine the Fed's stance on interest rates, with Seema Shah of Principal Asset Management highlighting the circular nature of market reactions to yield spikes and their subsequent declines. She suggests that while there are concerns about upward momentum, the equity market will find comfort in a continued drop in yields and could remain range-bound for the rest of the year. Diversification is recommended as the market narrative remains unclear, and investors may consider waiting until early 2024 for greater clarity on the economy and the Fed's actions.
The U.S. stock market is currently trading at a discount to fair value, and Morningstar expects rates to come down faster due to optimism on inflation; strong growth is projected in Q3, but the economy may slow down in Q4, and inflation is expected to fall in 2023 and reach the Fed's 2% target in 2024. The report also provides outlooks for various sectors, including technology, energy, and utilities, and highlights some top stock picks. The fixed-income outlook suggests that while interest rates may rise in the short term, rates are expected to come down over time, making it a good time for longer-term fixed-income investments. The corporate bond market has outperformed this year, and although bankruptcies and downgrades may increase, investors are still being adequately compensated for the risks.
Economists are predicting that the U.S. economy is less likely to experience a recession in the next year, with the likelihood dropping below 50% for the first time since last year, thanks to factors such as falling inflation, the Federal Reserve halting interest rate hikes, and a strong labor market.
The U.S. economy is facing risks in 2024 as inflation remains high and interest rates are historically high, leading to concerns about a potential recession; however, the Federal Reserve is optimistic about achieving a soft landing and maintaining economic growth. Economists are divided on whether the Fed's measures will be effective in avoiding a severe recession, and investors are advised to proceed cautiously in their financial decisions.
Despite recent signs of resilience, Russell Investments argues that a recession in 2024 is still likely due to lag effects from higher interest rates, raising their near-term recession probability to 55%.
Despite predictions of a soft landing for the U.S. economy, many Americans are still preparing for a recession by monitoring spending, limiting discretionary purchases, and considering long-term savings investments, according to surveys. Additionally, some homebuyers are hopeful that a recession will lead to lower home prices and mortgage rates, making it a more opportune time to buy. However, the lack of housing inventory remains a challenge for buyers, with over 60% reporting difficulty in finding suitable homes within their budget range.