Q3 2024 Rose Capital AdvisorsMarket Commentary & Outlook

What We Got Right and Wrong in Q3

What we Got Right:

“The Fed Begins Cutting Rates in September”
The Fed cut interest rates in September for the first time since the beginning of the Covid pandemic.

“Expect Softer Economic Data”
We expected a catalyst for the Fed to begin cutting rates in September was weaker economic data, particularly in the labor market.

“Strong Q1 Returns Historically Bullish for Rest of Year”
The S&P 500 rose 10+% in the first quarter for just the 10th time since 1970. In the previous nine years, the S&P 500 had a median full-year return of 28.6%.

“Short/Intermediate Bonds > Cash Before Fed Cuts”
With a Fed cut expected, we recommended investors allocate to Bonds over Cash. The Bloomberg US Agg rallied +5.2% in the third quarter and outperformed Cash.

“Yield Curve (10s and 2s) Disinverts”
The longest inverted yield curve on record for the 10-year and 2-year finally ended. This part of the yield curve had been inverted since July 2022.

S&P 500: Best Start to a Year Since 1997

US stocks are off to their best start to a year since 1997. US equities are on a five-month winning streak, in part to a broadening of the market and the Fed cutting interest rates for the first time since 2020. In looking forward, the market is entering a seasonally strong period but will have to contend with volatility around the US Election.

Bull Market has been Led by Mega-Caps

US stock performance has historically been strong in Presidential Election years. In fact, the stock market has only experienced two negative calendar years in a Presidential Election year, dating back to 1948. Those two negative years were in 2000 when the Tech Bubble burst and in 2008 during the Global Financial Crisis.

Recap of Third Quarter 2024: Change of Leadership

After a “soft” CPI print on July 11th, markets rotated out of Big Tech into more defensive oriented stocks with attractive valuations

Recap of Third Quarter 2024: What Changed?

Market (and Fed) Shifting Focus to Labor Market

Fed is Forecasting 200 Bps of Cuts by Year-End 2025

“The time has come for policy to adjust. The direction of travel is clear. The timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook and the balance of risks.”

Fed Chair Powell (August 23rd, 2024)

Election: Battleground States to Decide the Presidency

A close Presidential Race should be decided only by a small number of battleground states:

Arizona
Georgia
Michigan
Nevada
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin

Election: Democrats Defending More Seats in Senate

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Despite the many issues on the ballot this November, we believe some of the most important issues for markets revolve around 1) Taxes, 2) Trade and 3) Deficits.

Taxes

Trump:
Corporate Tax Rate: Trump aims to keep at 21% or potentially lower.
Individual Tax Rate: Trump aims to make permanent current individual tax rates, which sunset in 2025.

Harris:
Corporate Tax Rate: Harris aims to raise from 21% to 28%
Individual Tax Rate: Partial extension of 2017 tax cuts but potential hikes for high earners (above $400,000/year).

*The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is set to expire at the end of 2025.

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Despite the many issues on the ballot this November, we believe some of the most important issues for markets revolve around 1) Taxes, 2) Trade and 3) Deficits.

Trade

Trump:
Trump aims to increase tariffs not only on China, but for all imported goods. Trump has floated 60% tariffs on Chinese imports and a 10% universal tariff on the rest of world.

Harris:
Harris has pushed against additional tariffs, arguing it results in a “tax” on US consumers. Instead, Harris may pursue the current strategy of aligning US allies against China on trade.

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Despite the many issues on the ballot this November, we believe some of the most important issues for markets revolve around 1) Taxes, 2) Trade and 3) Deficits.

Deficits

Trump:
Trump plans to “pay” for tax cuts by increasing tariffs on imported goods and China

Harris:
Harris plans to “pay” for fiscal spending by raising taxes on corporations and potentially higher income earners.

US Budget Surplus/Deficit

Investment Implications

5. Chinese Stimulus May Mark a Turning Point:
In late-September, Chinese equities posted their best week since 2008 after the government announced a massive stimulus package (highlighted to the right). As a reminder, China has been stuck in a lengthy downturn due to a property crisis, deflation and weak consumer confidence. In our view, the magnitude of this stimulus is reminiscent of US stimulus provided in March 2020 by the Fed and US government. Ultimately the size of this stimulus and commitment “to do more” may help finally stabilize the Chinese market.

1. Expect an Additional 50 Bps of Cuts by Year-End:
Not only did the Fed cut rates in September for the first time since 2020, but they cut by 50 basis points. The jumbo cut was a signal on the Fed’s intent to not “fall behind the curve.” The September Fed meeting also provided an updated “Dot Plot,” which showed a majority of FOMC members expect an additional 50 basis points of cuts in 2024. With two Fed meetings left in November and December, current market odds agree with the Fed.

Fed Funds Rate Probabilities by Year-End
(Current Level: 4.75% – 5.00%)

2. Equities May Struggle in the Leadup to the Election:
September-November is historically the weakest 3-month stretch for equities in a Presidential Election Year. While the S&P 500 rallied 2.1% in September, a big contributor was the Fed’s jumbo rate cut (50 bps). The Fed’s next meeting is not until after the election and equity valuations are elevated. We also could see added volatility if we do not have a declared winner for days or weeks. On a positive note, US equities historically rally after the Presidential Election into year-end.

Average S&P 500 Performance in Presidential Election Years
(Since 1988)

3. Strong Q1 Returns (+10%) Historically Bullish for Rest of Year
This is just the 10th time since 1970 the S&P 500 had 10+% returns in the first quarter to start a year. In the previous nine occurrences, the S&P 500 had a median return in the third quarter of 1.9%. The S&P 500 was able to surpass this, finishing the third quarter up 5.9%.

In looking at the fourth quarter and full year returns in these years, the S&P 500 had median returns of roughly 8% and 28%, respectively. In fact, none of these years produced a single negative calendar year return.

4. Bond Market Pricing in Too Many Cuts:
We believe there is a disconnect between the bond & equity markets. Equities remain near all-time highs but the bond market is pricing roughly 200 basis points of cuts over the next year (according to the 2-year Treasury yield). We believe bond market pricing is overdone and yields have dropped too far in anticipation of a quicker cutting cycle. The economy remains resilient but inflation may be sticky. As highlighted in our last quarterly outlook, we prefer short-to-intermediate bonds in the fourth quarter.

2-Year Treasury Yield (%)

5. Chinese Stimulus May Mark a Turning Point:
In late-September, Chinese equities posted their best week since 2008 after the government announced a massive stimulus package (highlighted to the right). As a reminder, China has been stuck in a lengthy downturn due to a property crisis, deflation and weak consumer confidence. In our view, the magnitude of this stimulus is reminiscent of US stimulus provided in March 2020 by the Fed and US government. Ultimately the size of this stimulus and commitment “to do more” may help finally stabilize the Chinese market.

Recap of Recently Announced Stimulus in China

  • Interest rate cuts
  • Incentives for State-Owned enterprises to acquire unsold property
  • Equity support, including facilities that provide funding to firms & investors for equity purchases
  • Reduce level of cash banks must keep in Reserve
  • Cut outstanding mortgages by 50 bps
  • Lower the minimum down payment on homes.
  • Encourage buybacks

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