US Economics Update Brexit unlikely to have a meaningful impact on US economy The UK vote to leave the European Union (EU) has inevitably triggered an immediate negative reaction in global financial markets, but we do not anticipate a significant sustained tightening in US... 24th June 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response New Home Sales (May) After a 12.3% m/m jump in April, it is not surprising that new home sales fell back in May. But even after a 6.0% m/m drop sales in May were 5.6% higher than in March. That suggests that new home... 23rd June 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Focus Existing Home Sales (May) Existing home sales rose by a marginal 1.8% m/m in May, helped by low mortgage rates. But with sales back to their long-run average and the inventory of homes for sale very low, we doubt sales will... 22nd June 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Update Increased US drilling activity to limit upside for oil prices Early signs that rising crude prices have induced oil companies to bring drilling rigs back online suggest that US output could rise sooner than previously thought, especially in light of the... 20th June 2016 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Fed’s rate forecasts veering like a drunken sailor The key US event this week will be Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s semi-annual testimony to Congress. She will be testifying to the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday and the House Financial Services... 17th June 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Housing Starts (May.) Today’s data on housing starts were somewhat disappointing, showing no change in starts between April and May. But with market conditions still tight and builder confidence rising, starts should... 17th June 2016 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly House price gains fuelled by increasingly risky mortgages The news last week of a further acceleration in house price growth in Toronto and Vancouver in May followed hot on the heels of the warning from Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz that “the... 17th June 2016 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Consumer Prices (May) Core CPI inflation dropped back only slightly to 2.1% in May, from 2.2%, but it should decline more markedly in the second half of this year, as the inflationary impact from the earlier slump in the... 17th June 2016 · 1 min read
DM Valuations Monitor Is average normal for US equities? The bears’ argument that the valuation of the US stock market is unsustainably high is typically made by comparing the current level of Shiller’s cyclically-adjusted price/earnings ratio (CAPE) for... 17th June 2016 · 1 min read
US Data Response Consumer Prices (May) Headline CPI inflation remained well below the Fed’s target in May, but base effects will push it well above 2% by early next year. Both headline and core consumer prices increased by a solid 0.2% m/m... 16th June 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Update Why can’t home sellers extract higher prices? Given low inventory levels, experience suggests that house prices should be rising at double their current rate of around 5% y/y. But with low numbers of existing homes for sale, the behaviour of... 16th June 2016 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Fed moves the goal posts yet again Despite leaving its economic projections largely unchanged today (GDP growth expectations were revised down slightly, inflation forecasts were revised up slightly) the FOMC nevertheless cut its... 15th June 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response Energy Data Response US crude stocks fell again last week due to lower imports and production. Demand for gasoline rose to an all-time high as low prices continue to stimulate consumption. 15th June 2016 · 1 min read
US Data Response Industrial Production (May) The 0.4% m/m decline in industrial production in May, which was slightly worse than consensus expectations, was largely due to a similar-sized slump in output in the struggling manufacturing sector. 15th June 2016 · 1 min read
Global Markets Focus A new equilibrium in the US stock market In our view, the equilibrium price/earnings ratio of the US stock market is now much higher than its long run average. Indeed, we think it is close to its current cyclically-adjusted level. If we are... 14th June 2016 · 1 min read
US Economics Update No evidence of labour market downturn in NFIB survey The latest NFIB survey suggests that small businesses are still intent on hiring additional workers, even though finding suitably qualified employees is getting harder. Unfortunately, small businesses... 14th June 2016 · 1 min read
