IAIC Market Update - May 30, 2022
Last Week in the Markets: May 23rd – 27th, 2022
(source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis)
What happened last week?
- It was the first all-green week for our grid since the third week of March 2022. Although the TSX is negative for 2022, it remains the best performing, broad-based index in North America. The TSX may have been outperformed by American and the All-Country World Index (ACWI) last week, but it is the clear leader for year-to-date and year-over-year results.
- The economic news in the popular press was not much improved last week, so the positive equity results could seem unpredictable, but not if you examine the details more closely:
- Most major Canadian banks beat quarterly earnings expectations and remain upbeat with their forward guidance, particularly with their retail banking operations. RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO and National Bank beat expectations, while CIBC had growing expenses undermine their performance. The Finance sector comprises about one-third of the TSX, so the banks’ good news dominated. (Source)
- The second largest sector is Energy, which is also benefiting from higher oil prices.
- Inflation is slowing slightly. The price of gasoline, which is a bellwether for many consumers, continues to rise this month, but the overall inflation rate is moderating. Prices continue to climb, but at a lower rate in the U.S. (Source)
- As inflation slows the need to trim economic growth with higher interest rates also slows. Inflation is at a 30-year high, and central banks, like the Federal Reserve, have indicated that their strongest action will be early 2022. As the year progresses the size of interest rate increases are expected to reduce. (Source)
- The continuing inflation/interest rate condition has been in-place for some time, and perhaps some overly enthusiastic pessimism has been beaten back by the better and no-worse than expected results.
What’s ahead for this week?
- In Canada, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and current account balance for the first quarter will be released. The Bank of Canada will release its latest monetary policy response on Wednesday.
- In the U.S., after Monday’s market closure for Memorial Day. April’s construction spending, manufacturing indexes, factory orders will be released along with the non-farm payroll report for May.
- Globally, Japan’s machine tool orders, jobless rate, retail sales, industrial production and consumer confidence, Eurozone’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), economic and consumer confidence, Germany’s CPI, unemployment, France’s CPI and GDP will be released. OPEC+ will conduct a meeting.
For more information contact:
Independent Accountants’ Investment Counsel Inc.
135 Main St. E. Listowel, ON
Phone: 519-291-2817 or TF: 1-877-291-3040
icpmss@iaic.ca
This report is produced by Independent Accountants' Investment Counsel Inc (“IAIC”) in conjunction with ARG Inc. All graph and chart statistical data contained in this report has been supplied by ARG Inc. The views and opinions expressed in this report are based on market statistics. No guarantee of outcome is implied and opinions may change without notice. Investors should not base any of their investment decisions solely on this report nor should any opinions expressed within this report be construed as a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein. Although the information contained in this report has been obtained from sources that IAIC believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy, and as such, the information may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates and other information included in this report constitute our judgment as of the date hereof and are subject to change without notice.
Please contact your IAIC representative if you have any questions regarding this report. ©Copyright 2022 Independent Accountants’ Investment Counsel Inc. All rights reserved.
