Wentz Weekly: Thanksgiving Weekend Retail Sales Mostly Stronger than Expected

Wentz Weekly Insights
Thanksgiving Weekend Retail Sales Mostly Stronger than Expected

Recent Economic Data

• The number of existing homes sold in October fell for the fifth consecutive month for the slowest sales pace since the aftermath of the Financial Crisis 13 years ago. Sales fell 4.1% in October to a new seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 3.790 million, about 100k below consensus expectations. Sales fell in all regions except the Midwest, where sales were flat. Compared to a year ago, the sales rate was 14.6% lower in the month. Existing home sales represent closed sales, so this data reflects contracts signed in September when mortgage rates spiked. A persistent lack of inventory continues, combined with the highest mortgage rates in over two decades, has been a major factor for lower sales. The report noted starter and mid-priced homes are still seeing multiple offers, while upper end of the market are seeing price concessions. Inventory of 1.15 million homes was up roughly 2% in the month but remains down 6% from last year and at just 3.6 month supply at the current sales pace (around 6 months is considered a balanced market).

• The number of unemployment claims filed to the states the week ended November 18 was 209,000, a decrease of 24k from the prior week, which was the highest since August. The four-week average stands at 220,000. The number of continuing claims was 1.840 million, down 22k from the prior week with the four-week average at 1.837 million, the highest four-week average since the end of 2021.

• Order for manufactured durable goods for October decreased 5.4%, more than the 3.2% decline expected and coming after a strong 4.0% increase from September. As is usual, transportation drove much of the downside with new orders down 14.8% due to a 49.6% decline in aircraft orders (follows a 91% increase from September). Excluding the volatile component, durable goods orders excluding transportation were flat in the month as expected. The important number for GDP, shipment of nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft, were flat in the month for the second consecutive month.

• Consumer sentiment, based on the University of Michigan consumer survey, improved from the first survey of the month, but remains at the weakest levels since June. The consumer sentiment index level was 68.3, up from the first November reading of 65.7 but down from 70.6 in October. The index on current conditions fell to 68.3 for the weakest since June while the expectations index was 56.8, down from 59.3 in October. Inflation expectations have risen in recent weeks, with the one-year ahead inflation expectation at 4.5%, up from 4.2% in October and the highest level since April. It was just two months ago the one year inflation expectation was 3.9%, so the recent readings are not a good sign for future inflation. The five-year ahead inflation expectation remained at 3.2%.

Company News

• One of the bigger company specific headlines last week was the drama between OpenAI and the firing of its CEO, Sam Altman. OpenAI is the company behind the chatbot ChatGPT and who Microsoft has invested billions in to advance its AI capabilities. Before last weekend, the OpenAI board decided to oust its CEO over what they called a loss of confidence. It turned into a dramatic couple days, with most of the staff calling for the removal of board members, and ex-CEO Sam Altman saying he would come back but there would need to be a change in governance, but he ultimately ended up joining Microsoft to head new research efforts on advanced AI. Some reports say many employees were even planning a mass exodus unless there was change on the Board and venture capital investors were threatening to sue. It was then Wednesday when it was announced Altman would return to OpenAI as CEO with an overhaul of the Board.

• Ford said it is restarting the construction of an EV battery plant which was paused during the UAW (United Auto Workers) strike. However, the size of the plant is going to be smaller than originally planned with the company citing slowing EV sales growth. The report, by the Associated Press, said as a result it will see 1,700 jobs instead of 2,500 and battery cell output per year will decline to 230,000 vehicles from 400,000 vehicles.

• Broadcom received the final regulatory approval from Chinese regulators to finalize its acquisition of VMWare, under the conditions it will not be allowed to bundle its products with VMWare products in an unreasonable fashion in a way to gain an advantage over competitors. The $69 billion acquisition closed on Wednesday.

Other News

• As of Friday, crude oil has fallen 23.5% drop from its September highs due to rising inventories and worries over weakening global demand. Two weeks ago, reports began to surface that OPEC was considering whether to make additional supply cuts at its next meeting due to the recent slide in oil prices. The next OPEC meeting was scheduled for last Friday, however, on Wednesday OPEC and its allies said they would delay the meeting due to discussions on output levels reaching an impasse with Saudi Arabia. Instead of meeting last Friday, the Ministrial meeting will take place this Thursday. The reports from Bloomberg say the Saudis were dissatisfied that other OPEC countries were not scaling back production. It appears a supply cut is being discussed but details have yet to be finalized.

• The minutes from the Federal Reserve’s most recent FOMC meeting on November 1 showed the committee still had not started discussion on any potential for rate cuts. It said officials agreed to proceed carefully with interest rates and that officials wanted rates to remain restrictive for some time given the possibility that inflation could remain persistent or even bounce back after recently cooling. The officials agreed that policy decisions going forward will remain dependent on the totality of the incoming information and the balance of risks, but said further tightening will be on the table if progress toward inflation proves to be insufficient.

Did You Know…?

Slow M&A Year

According to a report from First Trust, data from Refinitiv shows global M&A (merger and acquisition) activity was $2.38 trillion year-to-date as of October. This was a 20% decline compared to the same period in 2022. The data shows there have been 62 mega deals, defined as transactions valued at least $5 billion or more, which was down from 69 from 2022. The Americas saw the highest M&A value, at $1.31 trillion, over this period. The lower activity is most likely a result of higher interest rates combined with macro uncertainty and cautious forecasts.

WFG News

Medicare Open Enrollment

• During this period, individuals are able to make changes to their current Medicare coverage. Individuals on Medicare should receive an Annual Notice of Change and/or Evidence of Coverage for Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. This is a good time to review coverage, as medical needs, benefits, and premiums may have changed over the year. During this time here are some things to consider:
• Will your primary doctor still accept you Medicare Advantage Plan?
• Have your medical needs changed? Different plans offer different benefits and different costs
• Are there comparable, lower cost plans available? Don’t forget to consider out-of-pocket costs when comparing options
• Are you medications still on your plan’s list of covered medications?
• You can compare plans online with the “Plan Finder” tool at medicare.gov
• You can input medications and it will show estimated costs, including copayments and coinsurance.

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