US: Consumer Sentiment Sours In May, Warning Sign For Biden

May-20 18:56

The University of Michigan index of consumer sentiment saw its biggest drop since 2021 in May - dropping to a six-month low - reflecting consumer concerns over inflation and rising prices.

  • The Washington Post notes: "The economy, while still remarkably strong, has slowed in recent months as the Federal Reserve tries to get inflation under control. Employers are adding fewer jobs, wage growth has decelerated, and Americans are holding off on big purchases like homes, cars and washing machines."
  • Jeffrey Roach, chief economist for LPL Financial said: “For the last couple of years, the economy has been driven by household spending and now people are starting to say, ‘Let’s retrench here. The pressure from inflation has finally started to hit even upper-income households.”
  • The shifting sentiment is a warning sign for President Biden as the White House economic message - largely driving by positive data - has failed to resonate with voters facing persistently high prices.
  • Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster, noted the particualr concern of gas prices which have risen by roughly 50 cents per gallon since the start of the year on average: “People tend to know the cost of gas, block by block, and they deeply resent it when gas prices go up right before summer vacation.”

Figure 1: Index of Consumer Sentiment

Source: Washington Post/ University of Michigan

Historical bullets

US TSYS: Tsys Hold Modest Gains, Fed Enters Policy Blackout Tonight

Apr-19 19:31
  • Treasury futures have been trading sideways in modestly positive territory since midmorning Friday - a rather quiet end to a hectic week, the Federal Reserve entering their self-imposed media Blackout regarding policy at midnight tonight.
  • Treasuries surged higher on heavy volumes early overnight (TYM4>1.13M by the open) after Israel launched targeted attack against Iran. Safe haven support in rates faded receded as both sides downplayed the action.
  • Safe haven bid pushed Jun'24 10Y futures to 108-22.5 high late Thursday evening, while the contract currently trades 107-28.5 (+6) after the bell - well above initial technical support of 107-13+ Low Apr 16. 10Y yield 4.6125% -.0181, curves mildly flatter: 2s10s -.485 -36.050.
  • Projected rate cut pricing held largely steady vs. late Thursday lvls: May 2024 -2.6% w/ cumulative -0.6bp at 5.322%; June 2024 at -13.5% w/ cumulative rate cut -4.5bp at 5.283%. July'24 cumulative at 12.1bp, Sep'24 cumulative -23bp.
  • Look ahead: economic data picks up next Tuesday with regional manufacturing data from Philly and Richmond Fed, S&P PMIs and New Home Sales.

AUDUSD TECHS: Southbound

Apr-19 19:30
  • RES 4: 0.6644 High Apr 9
  • RES 3: 0.6537 50-day EMA
  • RES 2: 0.6507 20-day EMA
  • RES 1: 0.6481 Low Apr 1 and a recent breakout level
  • PRICE: 0.6424 @ 16:39 BST Apr 19
  • SUP 1: 0.6363 Low Apr 19
  • SUP 2: 0.6339 Low Nov 10 and a key support
  • SUP 3: 0.6315 Low Oct 31 ‘23
  • SUP 4: 0.6270 Low Oct 26 ‘23 and a key support

AUDUSD remains vulnerable and the pair traded to a fresh trend low Friday. Key support at 0.6443, the Feb 13 low, has recently been cleared highlighting an important technical breach that has confirmed a resumption of the downtrend that started late December last year. Scope is seen for an extension towards 0.6339, the Nov 10 ‘23 low. Firm resistance is seen at 0.6537, the 50-day EMA. Short-term gains are considered corrective.

CANADA: CIBC Caution On Wednesday’s Retail Sales

Apr-19 19:29
  • CIBC expect that nominal retail sales increased a “sluggish” 0.1% M/M in February, in line with the advance estimate.
  • “However, excluding autos, sales could have fallen by 0.2% (cons 0.0), following a jump in January that was likely boosted by milder than normal weather.”
  • They expect per-capita spending to look worse as households curtail discretionary spending with higher mortgage payments and the rising unemployment rate biting.
  • “Goods prices fell in February, which means that retail sales will likely show modest growth in volume terms.”
  • For Q1, they see “relatively healthy” goods consumption, “but that reflects a boost from activity amidst mild winter weather.” They see per-capita real retail sales roughly -1.5% Y/Y “and that weakness leaves the door open for a June cut from the BoC.”