The Week Ahead: Watching for Signs of a Too-Strong Economy

The Week Ahead: Watching for Signs of a Too-Strong Economy: ""CNBC always jokes about how every jobs report is the most important jobs report, but this is the most important jobs report we've seen in a long time," said Daniel Greenhaus, chief global strategist at BTIG (and CNBC contributor). "I'm not saying it will be, but if it comes in at 275,000, it's game over." "


"We're at the home stretch and that's why this vacuum between now and the nonfarm payrolls is going to be a dripless market for bonds and equities," said George Goncalves, Treasury strategist at Nomura Americas. "The assumption is things are going to get better. What if it's a weak number? Can we actually talk about not tapering? We're on edge about everything."

"The NFP (nonfarm payrolls) is what I'm hanging my hat on. If the NFP is strong, the Fed could think about bringing it forward, but even June is too soon," he said. "The chairman himself said the markets have the same data we have. They are going to make a decision on fundamentals and targets. If they're stopping QE, it's because they feel comfortable for the outlook for the economy, and that should not be viewed as a bad thing."

"It doesn't last forever, but it goes until it doesn't anymore," said Doll. "My view is let's not try to make something too complicated. Let's recognize that the economy is improving fast enough for stocks to be satisfied but slow enough that the Fed stays dovish."


ames Paulsen, a long-time bull, said the current environment is making him a little cautious. The Wells Capital Management strategist said an improving economy could keep rates moving higher, and that could pressure stocks. The 10-year note broke above 2 percent this past week for the first time since March.
Paulsen, too, is watching claims data, after the past week's claims fell by 23,000 to 340,000, and the continuing claims declined by 112,000 to 2.9 million during the week ending May 11, in the largest decline in more than a year and the lowest level since before the financial crisis. The claims are for the week ending May 18, which is the survey week for the May employment report. Economists were watching them closely, and JPMorgan economists said while they expect payroll growth to be slower in the second quarter than first quarter because of fiscal tightening, the claims are indicating the weakness in labor might not be that severe.


"If claims keep falling toward 300,000, QE is over," said Paulsen. "I just think if you get a (monthly jobs) number closing in on 200,000 again, I think the discussion within the Fed will definitely go toward tapering. I think it's very encouraging that the Depression scaredy-cat Fed is actually starting to talk about normalizing policy. … I think China is a more frightening thing. I'd like to see them regain footing. I'm not sure the market is really that worried about the Fed going away from QE. There's been more discussion this year about the Fed tapering QE than at any other point."
Paulsen said he still expects the market to move a bit higher, but it should be more of a sideways move for much of the second half of the year, consolidating before moving higher later.

"The Chinese economy is an issue. I think the global recovery can go on without Europe. It can go on without Japan. It could conceivably go on without the United States, but it cannot go on without the emerging world," he said, adding China is in the process of adjusting to a slower growth rate. "I'm not over the top on it because I think there's growth in other parts of the world, but it's a little concerning."
But U.S. growth is improving and that should help stocks. Paulsen doesn't buy that it's the Fed that's pushed up the market, in contrast to other analysts and traders.

"Stocks are going to have a hard time for the rest of the year because bond yields are going to keep rising," he said. "I think that people are underestimating economic growth and sustainability. It's going to be hard for this thing to fall if we're going to grow closer to 3 than 2 percent for the second half."
Many analysts had expected a "Sell in May" market this year, since that had been the pattern of the last several years, and they had expected the economy to be pressured by sequestration and other federal budget cuts. While manufacturing data is running soft, the impact so far has not been as bad as some expected. Housing has been a bright spot, with existing home sales continuing to improve in April to the highest level in 3 1/2 years.
Doll also sees the improving economy lifting stocks, but with help from the Fed. "It's far more than the Fed. The economy is improving. We have modest improvement, modest earnings growth. We're not going to get a robust economy. That's precisely the good news for the stock market. My view is an acceptable economy is best for the stock market. If you get a strong economy, the Fed will disappear and we'll get inflation. Right now, we're in the sweet spot," he said.
What Else to Watch
Stock traders will also be watching bonds in the coming week, as the Treasury auctions $99 billion in two-year, five-year and seven-year notes Tuesday through Thursday.

"Given the sharp rise in yields, we would expect they'll be well-subscribed. May is a unique month. There's usually a bid for index buying," Goncalves of Nomura Americas said.

Rates can go higher, he said, but not much without more proof that the economy is improving. "Rates won't go higher just because the Fed stops. If the Fed stops too early, rates will go lower," he said.

Paulsen said rising rates could slow stocks as they adjust, but will not stop the market from going higher. He said based on history, it would take a level above 4 percent to stop stocks from rising.

The Week Ahead
Monday

Memorial Day; U.S. Markets Closed

Tuesday

9:00 am: S&P/Case-Shiller home price data

10:00 am: Consumer confidence

10:00 am: Richmond Fed

10:30 am: Dallas Fed

1:00 pm: $35 billion two-year note auction

Wednesday

1:00 pm: $35 billion five-year note auction

Thursday

8:30 am: Weekly jobless claims

8:30 am: Real first-quarter GDP (second)

1:00 pm: $29 billion seven-year note auction

Friday

8:30 am: Personal income

9:45 am: Chicago PMI

9:55 am: Consumer sentiment


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