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U.S. Economy Upgraded: Q4 GDP Growth Revised Higher to 3.4%
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UK Shop Prices Drop as Retailers Slash Prices Amid Spending Slowdown
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ECB Could Cut Interest Rates Before Fed
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North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile, drawing condemnation
Market Recap.
Both the Dow Jones Industrial Average (1.22%) and S&P 500 ETF (0.65%) made gains for the week as US GDP beat expectations, showing further signs of economic strength. The Nasdaq 100 ETF was less fortunate, returning -0.06%. The FTSE 100 ETF made progress, adding 0.57% over the shortened trading week.
News.
The U.S. economy grew faster than previously estimated in the fourth quarter, boosted by strong consumer spending and business investment in non-residential structures like factories and healthcare facilities.
Gross domestic product increased at a 3.4% annualised rate last quarter, revised up from the previously reported 3.2% pace, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis said in its third estimate of fourth-quarter GDP.
Geopolitics.
North Korea fired a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile into the sea on Tuesday in a possible test of a new rocket using solid fuel, drawing swift condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States.
South Korea’s military said it detected what appeared to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile launched from an area of the North Korean capital Pyongyang on Tuesday at 6:53 a.m. (2153 GMT on Monday) before plunging into the sea off the east coast.
Inflation.
Inflation in shop prices in the UK has eased to the lowest level for more than two years after retailers cut prices on Easter treats, clothing and electrical goods amid a slowdown in spending by consumers in the cost of living crisis.
Industry figures show prices rose at an annual rate of 1.3% in March, down from a rate of 2.5% in February – the slowest pace since December 2021, according to the latest monitor from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) trade body and the market research firm NielsenIQ.
Central Banks.
The European Central Bank could lower its key interest rate before the U.S. Federal Reserve, ECB Governing Council member Robert Holzmann was quoted as saying on Saturday.
“Europe could cut interest rates before the U.S.,” Holzmann told Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung, noting that the European economy was growing more slowly than its U.S. counterpart. “From today’s perspective, I’d say: interest rate cuts are likely to come. When will depend largely on what wage and price developments look like by June,” he added.
ESG.
Southwest Airlines announced that it has acquired SAFFiRE Renewables, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-backed project aimed at scaling the production of sustainable aviation fuel from agricultural residue.
The acquisition follows the launch last month by the airline of Southwest Airlines Renewable Ventures (SARV), a new subsidiary responsible for managing the airline’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investments and creating opportunities for the company to obtain SAF to reach its clean fuel goals. Southwest has set a target to replace 10% of its jet fuel consumption with SAF by 2030.
Commodities.
The oil price finished the week at $83 per barrel, marking a 2% increase. Earlier in March, OPEC+ decided to extend voluntary production cuts until the end of the second quarter and is anticipated to uphold existing output policies during its upcoming meeting. Meanwhile, gold spot prices reached a record high of $2,230 per ounce on Friday, resulting in a year-to-date gain of over 6%.
Week Ahead.
This week sees the release of Manufacturing and Services PMI data from the major nations, with both the US and UK having already reported a growing manufacturing sector whilst the EU continues to experience contraction in manufacturing.
On Wednesday, the EU reports its latest CPI inflation figures which are expected to show a slight decline to 2.50% from 2.60% prior.
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Sources:
Anthony Walters – Head of ESG at Clever Adviser Technology Ltd (Clever)
Market recap – Data sourced from FE FundInfo & Koyfin. ETFs quoted: iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF, iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS ETF, iShares Nasdaq 100 UCITS ETF (quoted in Pounds Sterling).
News – US economy continues to shine with help from consumers, labor market, By Lucia Mutikani, Reuters, 28/03/24
Inflation – Inflation in UK shops drops to lowest level in two years, Guardian, 02/04/24
Central Banks – Europe could lower rates ahead of Fed, ECB’s Holzmann says, by Francois Murphy Editing by Dave Graham, Reuters, 30/03/2024
ESG – Southwest Airlines Acquires DOE-Backed Sustainable Aviation Fuel Startup SAFFiRE Renewables, by Mark Segal, ESG Today, 01/04/24
Geopolitics – North Korea fires suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile, By Ju-min Park, Reuters, 02/04/24
Commodities – Data sourced from Koyfin and Investing.com
Week ahead – Data sourced from Investing.com
Risk Warning:
These are Anthony’s views at the time of writing and should not be construed as investment advice. The opinions expressed are correct at time of writing and may be subject to change. Capital is at risk. The value and income from investments can go down as well as up and are not guaranteed. An investor may get back significantly less than they invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future performance and should not be the sole factor considered when selecting funds.
Regulatory Information:
This is a general communication provided for informational purposes only. It is educational in nature and not designed to be taken as advice or a recommendation for any specific investment product, strategy, plan feature or other purpose in any jurisdiction, nor is it a commitment from Marlborough or any of its subsidiaries to participate in any of the transactions mentioned herein. Any examples used are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision and it should not be relied upon by you in evaluating the merits of investing in any securities or products. In addition, users should make an independent assessment of the legal, regulatory, tax, credit, and accounting implications and determine – together with their own professional advisers if appropriate – if any investment mentioned herein is believed to be suitable. Investors should ensure that they obtain all available relevant information before making any investment. Any forecasts, figures, opinions or investment techniques and strategies set out are for information purposes only, based on certain assumptions and current market conditions and are subject to change without prior notice.
All information presented herein is considered to be accurate at the time of production, but no warranty of accuracy is given and no liability in respect of any error or omission is accepted. Issued by Marlborough Investment Management Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reference number 115231). Registered office: PO BOX 1852 Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, WS13 8XU. Registered in England No. 01947598. The Clever Marlborough Model Portfolio Service (‘Clever MPS’) is a collaboration between Marlborough Investment Management Limited as the Discretionary Fund Manager and Clever Adviser Technology Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 2910523) with registered office at Watergate House, 85 Watergate Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 2LF (“Clever”). Clever is a technology and software provision company which developed a methodology and proprietary suite of algorithms for the monitoring, analysis, collation, and transmission of data on the performance of Investment Funds and related portfolios within the UK market which Marlborough utilises for investment purposes.
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