Stocks rebounded last week after China’s Ministry of Commerce indicated that China had no immediate intention to respond to the U.S.’s latest threat of an additional round of tariff increases on imports of Chinese goods and services. The result was a surge in stock prices with the major benchmark indexes posted notable gains, led by the Dow, which eclipsed 3.0% in week-over-week gains. The Nasdaq, the S&P 500, and the Russell 2000 each increased well over 2.0%. Only the Global Dow failed to reach that mark, but came close at almost 1.9%.
LAST WEEK’S ECONOMIC HEADLINES
- The economy grew at a rate of 2.0% in the second quarter, according to the second estimate of the gross domestic product. The first estimate projected a 2.1% growth rate. The economy grew at a 3.1% rate in the first quarter of 2019. Gross domestic income (the sum of incomes earned and costs incurred in the production of GDP) increased 2.1% in the second quarter, compared with an increase of 3.2% in the first quarter. The downward revision in the second estimate is primarily attributable to declining exports and lower corporate investment. Consumer spending increased from an initial estimate of 4.4% to a revised 4.7%. Prices for consumer goods and services increased 2.2% in the second quarter compared to a 0.8% bump in the first quarter. Overall, inflation remains stagnant, while a strong labor market is allowing consumers to spend more, somewhat masking weakness in global growth, exports, and domestic manufacturing.
- Consumer spending rose last month, while prices remained relatively flat. According to the latest figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, personal income increased a scant 0.1% in July, but personal consumption expenditures jumped 0.6%. Prices for consumer goods and services inched up 0.2% in July and are up 1.4% over the last 12 months ended in July (well below the Fed’s 2.0% target inflation rate).
- In a positive note for the manufacturing sector, new orders for long-lasting durable goods advanced 2.1% in July following a 1.8% gain in June. Transportation equipment drove the July increase, jumping 7.0% in July. Excluding transportation, new orders for durable goods actually decreased 0.4%. Shipments dropped 1.1% in July after two consecutive monthly increases, as transportation shipments fell 2.1%. Unfilled orders reversed a negative trend, advancing 0.1% in July following three consecutive monthly decreases. Inventories continue to increase, up 0.4% in July after jumping 0.3% in June. Another positive note from the report is the 5.0% gain in new orders for nondefense capital goods, or equipment used in private industry for producing consumer goods or services.
- The international trade deficit was $72.3 billion in July, down $1.8 billion from $74.2 billion in June. Exports of goods for July were $137.3 billion, $0.9 billion more than June exports. Imports of goods for July were $209.7 billion, $0.9 billion less than June imports.
EYE ON THE WEEK AHEAD
Manufacturing activity has been slow over the summer and is not expected to pick up in August, based on purchasing managers’ sentiments. On the other hand, employment has been steady. August’s employment data is out at the end of the week. While the total number of new jobs added last month is expected to be in line with prior months, wage growth is also likely to show minimal advancement.