Financial News for the Week of April 27, 2018

Over the past few years, first-quarter growth has slowed notably from the fourth quarter, often attributed to a phenomenon known as residual seasonality This year was no exception. First-quarter growth came in at 2.3% (annualized) – slower than the 2.9% recorded in the fourth quarter, but still better than market expectations for a 2.0% advance. Economic activity was supported by improved business investment, which recorded a solid performance thanks in part to a surge in activity in the petroleum and natural gas sector (+43% Q/Q ann.), and by an unexpected small positive contribution from net trade (Chart 1).

Following a 4% annualized expansion in the fourth quarter that was partly boosted by post-hurricane recovery spending, consumer spending slowed markedly, contributing just a measly 0.7 percentage points to growth. Consumer spending should regain a firmer footing ahead, buoyed by upbeat consumer confidence, a healthy labor market and tax cuts. This narrative is corroborated by stronger monthly spending toward the end of the first quarter, including the surge in March retail sales and a second consecutive monthly gain in existing home sales. The latter rose 1.1% m/m, but the recent performance would have likely been even better if it weren’t for very tight inventories.

Overall, the better-than-expected GDP outturn and healthy outlook ahead may augur a faster pace of rate hikes. But the evolution of price pressures will be the deciding factor. On that front, higher oil prices this week –WTI reached $68/barrel for the first time since late 2014 – accentuated concerns about rising inflation. This helped push Treasury yields higher, with the 10-year yield briefly breaching the 3% mark for the first time since 2014. The rise in yields propped up the trade-weighted U.S. dollar and weighed on equity valuations midweek. But a slew of broadly positive earnings reports, coupled with the upside surprise on GDP, eventually helped markets recover losses.

This week’s selloff reinforces our view that volatility has made a comeback (see report). The return of volatility, something which is likely here to stay, suggests that investors are now responding to rather than shrugging off negative news. Perhaps one of the best examples of this reality is the market reaction to elevated trade tensions between the U.S. and China earlier this month.

Ultimately, we believe that there is still time for the U.S. and China to settle their trade differences without much collateral damage – something that appears more likely now with the Treasury secretary scheduled to embark on a trip to China shortly. However, there is still a possibility that the talks fail and tariffs are implemented, with this scenario expected to weigh on economic growth. In a recent report that considers the impact on regional economies, focusing on TD’s East Coast footprint, we find that the Eastern Seaboard is roughly half as exposed to trade with China compared to the rest of the country combined (Chart 2). This would enable most states in the footprint to duck much of the blow from the prospective tariffs. That said, South Carolina’s elevated trade with China leaves it’s economy more vulnerable to the economic drag from protectionist trade policy.

Admir Kolaj, Economist | 416-944-6318