LPL Financial Market Signals Podcast

There Is Some Good News l LPL Market Signals Podcast

LPL Research

The S&P 500 Index fell for the fourth consecutive week last week, and continued trade and tariff worries led to a big drop Friday, August 23. LPL strategists take a big picture look at current events and discuss why things might not be as bad as the headlines suggest.

"S&P 500 Index has been down 4 weeks in a row. Going back 10 years, the S&P 500 has been down 5 weeks in a row only once – in 2011."

Ryan Detrick, Senior Market Strategist, LPL Financial

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The back and forth of increasing tariffs and threats between the United States and China has pushed businesses to put a hold on capital expenditures (capex). As the effects of the tensions spread, LPL strategists discuss why they are suggesting slower growth the second half of this year and why they have lowered their 2019 U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts to 2%. The good news is the U.S. consumer remains in good shape, with many retailers reporting strong earnings last week. Additionally, second quarter earnings are wrapping up, and earnings are coming in much better than had been expected just two months ago.

Yield curve inversions

LPL strategists also discuss the yield curve, as the 2-year/10-year spread is near inversion. The short-end of the curve has been inverted for some time, but the belly of the curve is nearing inverted status as well. It is worth noting, though, that the long-end of the curve is still nowhere near inversion. For instance, the 10-year/30-year spread is still above the lows set earlier this summer. Historically, the long-end of the curve has inverted before a recession has taken place.

GDP Growth Expected to Slow in Upcoming Quarters

Due to delayed trade negotiations and increased tariff threats between the United States and China, businesses have held back on their capital expenditures (capex). Year-over-year growth in orders for nondefense capital goods (excluding aircraft) has ground to a halt, averaging just 0.3% over the last three months. In response, we’ve lowered our 2019 GDP forecast to 2%, insinuating that growth will slow further in the second half of the year.

Tune In Now

Listen to the entire podcast to get the LPL strategists’ views and insights on current market trends in the US and global economies. To listen to previous podcasts go to Market Signals podcast. You can subscribe to Market Signals on iTunesGoogle Play, or Spotify.

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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual security. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted.

All indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.

Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee return or eliminate risk in all market environments.

This research material has been prepared by LPL Financial LLC.

To the extent you are receiving investment advice from a separately registered independent investment advisor, please note that LPL Financial LLC is not an affiliate of and makes no representation with respect to such entity.

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Yield Curve is a line that plots the interest rates, at a set point in time, of bonds having equal credit quality, but differing maturity dates. The most frequently reported yield curve compares the three-month, two-year, five-year and 30-year U.S. Treasury debt. This yield curve is used as a benchmark for other debt in the market, such as mortgage rates or bank lending rates. The curve is also used to predict changes in economic output and growth.

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