What Happened Last Week?
It was another difficult week for individuals invested in equities, unless their portfolio mirrored the TSX, which gained ½ point while the American indices lost 3-4%. The S&P 500 achieved its seventh consecutive weekly loss and is approaching a 20% drop of a Bear Market. The Dow has had eight weeks since it last gained on a week-to-week basis. It has been nine weeks since all indexes in our grid gained ground. All the indexes have lost ground in 2022, and the TSX is the only index in our grid that is higher now than one year ago.
The economic news that predicated the U.S. stock losses last week was mixed. Walmart and Target disappointed on the earnings front but indicated that foot traffic and spending remains positive as consumers moved away from pandemic necessities. Demand is strong while supply-chain issues remain. Further, consumer spending that comprises about two-thirds of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is healthy, a tight labour market with rising wages and low unemployment, and moderating, yet historically strong, corporate earnings.
Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose in April slightly to 6.8% compared to March’s 6.7%. Food and shelter were two categories that drove the increase. “With the unemployment rate falling to a record low in April, strong employment figures tend to put upward pressure on prices. In April, average hourly wages for employees rose 3.3% on a year-over-year basis, mean that, on average, prices rose faster than wages, and Canadians experienced a decline in purchasing power.” StatsCan link
Both the Bank of Canada and the Federal Reserve have mandates to fight inflation, and both have indicated their intention to combat rapidly rising prices with higher interest rates. BoC Fed Res
What is Ahead for This Week and Beyond?
In Canada, markets will be closed on Monday to observe Victoria Day. The four-day week will include announcements of April’s manufacturing sales, wholesale trade, and March’s retail sales and employment survey. Also, the major Canadian banks will release their latest quarterly earnings.
In the U.S., April’s new home sales, pending home sales, durable goods orders and core orders, personal income and spending and goods trade deficit will be announced. The minutes from the Federal Reserve’s FOMC meeting that raised interest rates ½ point will be released.
Globally, Germany’s business climate, Gross Domestic Product and consumer confidence will be released along with the Eurozone’s Purchasing Managers Indices in a light week for economic announcements.