by Calculated Risk on 1/07/2015 03:51:00 PM

Friday at 8:30 AM ET, the BLS will release the employment report for December. The consensus, according to Bloomberg, is for an increase of 245,000 non-farm payroll jobs in December (with a range of estimates between 202,000 and 305,000), and for the unemployment rate to decline to 5.7%.

The BLS reported 321,000 jobs added in November.

Here is a summary of recent data:

• The ADP employment report showed an increase of 241,000 private sector payroll jobs in November. This was above expectations of 223,000 private sector payroll jobs added. The ADP report hasn't been very useful in predicting the BLS report for any one month, but in general, this suggests employment growth slightly above expectations.

• The ISM manufacturing employment index increased in December to 56.8%. A historical correlation between the ISM manufacturing employment index and the BLS employment report for manufacturing, suggests that private sector BLS manufacturing payroll jobs increased about 18,000 in December. The ADP report indicated a 26,000 increase for manufacturing jobs in December.

The ISM non-manufacturing employment index decreased in December to 56.0%. A historical correlation (linear) between the ISM non-manufacturing employment index and the BLS employment report for non-manufacturing, suggests that private sector BLS non-manufacturing payroll jobs increased about 234,000 in December.

Combined, the ISM indexes suggests employment gains of 252,000.  This suggests growth slightly above expectations.

• Initial weekly unemployment claims averaged close to 291,000 in December, down from 299,000 in November. For the BLS reference week (includes the 12th of the month), initial claims were at 289,000; this was down from 292,000 during the reference week in November.

Generally this suggests about the same low level of layoffs in December as for the previous three months (employment gains averaged 278,000 per month for September, October and November).

• The final December Reuters / University of Michigan consumer sentiment index increased to 93.6 from the November reading of 88.8. This was the highest level in nearly eight years. Sentiment is frequently coincident with changes in the labor market, but there are other factors too - like sharply lower gasoline prices.

• On small business hiring: The small business index from Intuit showed a 30,000 increase in small business employment in December, the same strong level as in November.

• Trim Tabs reported that the U.S. economy added between 210,000 to 240,000 jobs in December. This is down sharply from their 306,000 estimate last month (that was pretty close). "TrimTabs’ employment estimates are based on analysis of daily income tax deposits to the U.S. Treasury from the paychecks of the 141 million U.S. workers subject to withholding"  December is more challenging for TrimTabs due to year end bonuses - so they provided a range this month.

• Conclusion: Below is a table showing several employment indicators and the initial BLS report (the first column is the revised employment). Two key points:

1) Unfortunately none of the indicators below is very good at predicting the initial BLS employment report.

2) In general it looks like this should be another 200+ month (based on ADP, ISM, unemployment claims, and small business hiring).

There is always some randomness to the employment report.  The consensus forecast is pretty strong, but I'll take the over again (above 245,000).

Employment Indicators (000s)
	BLS Revised	BLS Initial	ADP Initial	ISM	Weekly Claims Reference Week1	Intuit Small Business
Jan	144	113	175	236	329	10
Feb	222	175	139	-6	334	0
Mar	203	192	191	153	323	0
Apr	304	288	220	NA	320	25
May	229	217	179	130	327	35
Jun	267	288	281	NA	314	20
Jul	243	209	218	NA	303	15
Aug	203	142	204	285	299	0
Sep	271	248	213	NA	281	10
Oct	243	214	230	340	284	15
Nov		321	208	260	292	30
Dec		Friday	241	252	289	30
1Lower is better for Unemployment Claims

by Calculated Risk on 1/07/2015 02:00:00 PM

Participants expressed more concern about low inflation and the FOMC might wait on rate hikes until they are "reasonably confident that inflation will move back toward 2 percent over time".

From the Fed: Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, December 16-17, 2014. Excerpts:

Participants generally anticipated that inflation was likely to decline further in the near term, reflecting the reduction in oil prices and the effects of the rise in the foreign exchange value of the dollar on import prices. Most participants saw these influences as temporary and thus continued to expect inflation to move back gradually to the Committee's 2 percent longer-run objective as the labor market improved further in an environment of well-anchored inflation expectations. Survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations remained stable, although market-based measures of inflation compensation over the next five years, as well as over the five-year period beginning five years ahead, moved down further over the intermeeting period. Participants discussed various explanations for the decline in market-based measures, including a fall in expected future inflation, reductions in inflation risk premiums, and higher liquidity and other premiums that might be influencing the prices of Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities and inflation derivatives. Model-based decompositions of inflation compensation seemed to support the message from surveys that longer-term inflation expectations had remained stable, although it was observed that these results were sensitive to the assumptions underlying the particular models used. It was noted that even if the declines in inflation compensation reflected lower inflation risk premiums rather than a reduction in expected inflation, policymakers might still want to take them into account because such changes could reflect increased concerns on the part of investors about adverse outcomes in which low inflation was accompanied by weak economic activity. In the end, participants generally agreed that it would take more time and analysis to draw definitive conclusions regarding the recent behavior of inflation compensation.
...
With regard to inflation, a number of participants saw a risk that it could run persistently below their 2 percent objective, with some expressing concern that such an outcome could undermine the credibility of the Committee's commitment to that objective.
...
With lower energy prices and the stronger dollar likely to keep inflation below target for some time, it was noted that the Committee might begin normalization at a time when core inflation was near current levels, although in that circumstance participants would want to be reasonably confident that inflation will move back toward 2 percent over time. emphasis added

by Calculated Risk on 1/07/2015 11:06:00 AM

Reis reported that the vacancy rate for regional malls was increased to 8.0% in Q4 2014 from 7.9% in Q3. This is down from a cycle peak of 9.4% in Q3 2011.

For Neighborhood and Community malls (strip malls), the vacancy rate decreased to 10.2% in Q4, from 10.1% in Q3. For strip malls, the vacancy rate peaked at 11.1% in Q3 2011.

Comments from Reis Senior Economist Ryan Severino:

[Strip Malls] The retail market recovery marched forward during the fourth quarter, but remained at a snail's pace. Net absorption once again exceeded the scant levels of construction in the market which pushed the vacancy rate for neighborhood and community centers down by 10 basis points to 10.2%. Asking and effective rent growth both accelerated slightly versus last quarter but the quarterly growth rates are so weak that any difference is marginal and insignificant. Vacancy remains far too elevated for rents to grow at a much faster pace than we have observed in recent quarters.

[Regional] During the fourth quarter, regional mall vacancy increased by 10 basis points to 8.0%. This is the first quarterly increase in the mall vacancy rate since the third quarter of 2011. For 2014, the mall vacancy rate was also up 10 basis points. Although the mall recovery cycle is fairly mature at this juncture, the primary culprit for the increase in the vacancy rate was the closing of a number of Sears stores during the fourth quarter. However, the market recovery had been losing steam before this with the national vacancy rate flat for most of 2014. While there is no new construction in the mall subsector, demand should increase along with the recovery in the economy and labor markets in 2014. Therefore, we do not believe that this quarter is a reversal in fortune for the mall sector. However, any improvement in demand will come from average‐caliber malls. Vacancy at high‐end malls has just about vanished, giving their landlords strong pricing power, but little ability to increase NOI due to occupancy change. Vacancy at average malls remains relatively high and still has significant room to compress over the next few years.

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the strip mall vacancy rate starting in 1980 (prior to 2000 the data is annual). The regional mall data starts in 2000. Back in the '80s, there was overbuilding in the mall sector even as the vacancy rate was rising. This was due to the very loose commercial lending that led to the S&L crisis.

In the mid-'00s, mall investment picked up as mall builders followed the "roof tops" of the residential boom (more loose lending). This led to the vacancy rate moving higher even before the recession started. Then there was a sharp increase in the vacancy rate during the recession and financial crisis.

Mall vacancy data courtesy of Reis.

by Calculated Risk on 1/07/2015 08:54:00 AM

The Department of Commerce reported:

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that the goods and services deficit was $39.0 billion in November, down $3.2 billion from $42.2 billion in October, revised. November exports were $196.4 billion, $2.0 billion less than October exports. November imports were $235.4 billion, $5.2 billion less than October imports.

The trade deficit was smaller than the consensus forecast of $42.0 billion.

The first graph shows the monthly U.S. exports and imports in dollars through November 2014.

Click on graph for larger image.

Both imports and exports decreased in November.

Exports are 18% above the pre-recession peak and up 1% compared to November 2013; imports are 2% above the pre-recession peak, and up about 2% compared to November 2013. 

The second graph shows the U.S. trade deficit, with and without petroleum, through November.

The blue line is the total deficit, and the black line is the petroleum deficit, and the red line is the trade deficit ex-petroleum products.

Oil imports averaged $82.95 in November, down from $88.47 in October, and down from $94.69 in November 2013.  The petroleum deficit has generally been declining and is the major reason the overall deficit has declined since early 2012.

Note: There is a lag due to shipping and long term contracts, but oil prices will really decline over the next several months - and the oil deficit will get much smaller.

The trade deficit with China increased to $29.9 billion in November, from $27.0 billion in November 2013.  The deficit with China is a large portion of the overall deficit.

by Calculated Risk on 1/07/2015 08:15:00 AM

From ADP:

Private sector employment increased by 241,000 jobs from November to December according to the December ADP National Employment Report®. ... The report, which is derived from ADP’s actual payroll data, measures the change in total nonfarm private employment each month on a seasonally-adjusted basis.
...
Goods-producing employment rose by 46,000 jobs in December, up from 40,000 jobs gained in November. The construction industry added 23,000 jobs, up from last month’s gain of 20,000. Meanwhile, manufacturing added 26,000 jobs in December, well above November’s 16,000 and the second highest monthly total of 2014 in that sector.

Service-providing employment rose by 194,000 jobs in December, up from 187,000 in November. ...

Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, said, “The job market continues to power forward. Businesses across all industries and sizes are adding to payrolls. At the current pace of job growth, the economy will be back to full employment by this time next year.”

This was above the consensus forecast for 223,000 private sector jobs added in the ADP report. 

The BLS report for December will be released on Friday and the consensus is for 240,000 non-farm payroll jobs added in December.

by Calculated Risk on 1/07/2015 07:01:00 AM

From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Decreased Over Two Week Period in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

Mortgage applications decreased 9.1 percent from two weeks earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 2, 2015. The most recent week’s results include an adjustment to account for the New Year’s Day holiday, while the previous week’s results were adjusted for the Christmas holiday....

The Refinance Index decreased 12 percent from two weeks ago. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index decreased 5 percent from two weeks earlier ... The Purchase Index was 8 percent lower than the same week one year ago.
...
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($417,000 or less) decreased to 4.01 percent from 4.04 percent, with points decreasing to 0.28 from 0.35 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans.
emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.


The first graph shows the refinance index.

The refinance index is down 75% from the levels in May 2013.

2014 was probably the lowest year for refinance activity since year 2000 (haven't seen final stats yet).  Even with the sharp decline in rates this week, mortgage rates would have to decline further for there to be a large refinance boom - so I expect refinance activity to be low again in 2015.


The second graph shows the MBA mortgage purchase index.  

According to the MBA, the unadjusted purchase index is down 8% from a year ago.

by Calculated Risk on 1/06/2015 08:21:00 PM

For fun, here are Byron Wien's Ten Surprises for 2015. Here are a few:

1. The Federal Reserve finally raises short-term interest rates, well before the middle of the year, encouraged by the improving employment data and strong Gross Domestic Product growth. The timing proves faulty, however, as the momentum of the economy has begun to flag and a short-term slowdown has started. The end of monetary accommodation and rising rates precipitate a correction in equities. Long-term Treasury rates stay where they started and the yield curve flattens. [CR Note: I doubt the Fed will raise rates "well before the middle of the year"]

3. The year-end 2014 rally in United States equities continues as the market rises for a strong performance in 2015. A growing economy, fueled by housing and capital spending and favorable earnings, enables the Standard & Poor’s 500 to increase 15% during the year, outperforming equities in most major industrialized countries throughout the world.

4. Mario Draghi finally begins to expand the balance sheet of the European Central Bank aggressively by buying sovereign debt, mortgages and corporate bonds. In spite of this expansion, Europe falls back into a serious recession. Germany is particularly weak as reduced demand from various trading partners has a major impact on its exports. The European policy makers fail to embrace the one option, fiscal spending, that could turn the economy around, and European stocks decline. Politically, Europe moves dangerously toward the right. [CR Note: Unfortunately probably close.]

8. Brent slips into the $40s. The low price of crude oil, which continues throughout the first part of the year, has a major impact on Russia. A peace settlement with Ukraine is signed, giving Eastern Ukraine substantial autonomy but guaranteeing the sovereignty of the rest of the country. President Putin seems to be trying to win back the respect of the international community as the country reels from its economic problems, but the Russian citizenry finally turns on him. His approval rating plummets and he resigns by year-end. During the second half of the year, West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude are both above $70, as emerging market demand continues to increase. [CR Note: Brent into the $40s is already close. Brent closed at $51.10 today.]

Wednesday:
• At 7:00 AM ET, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) will release the results for the mortgage purchase applications index.

• At 8:15 AM, the ADP Employment Report for December. This report is for private payrolls only (no government). The consensus is for 223,000 payroll jobs added in December, up from 207,000 in November.

• At 8:30 AM, the Trade Balance report for November from the Census Bureau. The consensus is for the U.S. trade deficit to be at $42.0 billion in November from $43.4 billion in October.

• Early, Reis Q4 2014 Mall Survey of rents and vacancy rates.

• At 2:00 PM, the FOMC Minutes for Meeting of December 16-17, 2014

by Calculated Risk on 1/06/2015 04:09:00 PM

With the rally in the Ten Year today - yields declined to 1.89% mid-day and closed at 1.96% - the 30 year mortgage rate also declined, and is now down almost 100bps from a year ago.

From Matthew Graham at Mortgage News Daily: Opportunity Knocks as Mortgage Rates Surge Lower

Mortgage rates are on an absolute tear. In the past 2 days, they've rocketed a full eighth of a point lower. They're a full quarter point lower than the average rates available in 2nd half of December and .375% lower than December's highest rates. For anyone feeling like they missed out in May 2013 as the taper tantrum began, here's your opportunity. Today is officially the first day we can say that rate sheets are at least as good as May 21st, 2013, the day before Bernanke's congressional testimony unofficially kicked off the taper tantrum and sent mortgage rates quickly higher.

At that time, the abrupt rise meant a move up to 3.75% from 3.625%. Today's gains restore 3.625% as the lowest widely-available rate for the best borrowers.

Note: rates are still above the level required for a significant increase in refinance activity. Historically refinance activity picks up significantly when mortgage rates fall about 50 bps from a recent level.

Many borrowers who took out mortgages over the last 18 months can refinance now - but that is a small number of total borrowers. For a significant increase in refinance activity, rates would have to fall below the late 2012 lows (on a monthly basis, 30 year mortgage rates were at 3.35% in the PMMS in November and December 2012).

Based on the relationship between the 30 year mortgage rate and 10-year Treasury yields, the 10-year Treasury yield would probably have to decline to 1.5% or lower for a significant refinance boom (in the near future). With the 10-year yield currently at 1.96%, I don't expect a significant increase in refinance activity.

Here is a table from Mortgage News Daily:

Home Loan Rates

View More Refinance Rates

by Calculated Risk on 1/06/2015 01:47:00 PM

Yesterday I noted that Reis reported the office vacancy rate declined to 16.7% in Q4 from 16.8% in Q3.

A key question is when will new office investment increase significantly. Investment has been increasing - and adding to GDP - but investment is still very low. The following graph shows the office vacancy rate and office investment as a percent of GDP. Note: Office investment also includes improvements.

Here is Reis Senior Economist Ryan Severino's office forecast for 2015:

"2014 ended with lots of good news and optimistic data, for both the macroeconomy and the office market. GDP growth, labor market growth, net absorption, and vacancy are all trending in the right direction and at a faster pace over time. Barring some idiosyncratic shock, there is no reason to believe that these trends will not persist in 2015 while construction should remain in check due to relatively weak fundamentals in many markets, even as speculative development slowly returns to the market in stronger metro areas. Therefore, we are not only forecasting stronger rent growth for 2015 than 2014, but vacancy compression should slowly begin to accelerate and the potential exists for the market to outperform our expectations if the economy is even stronger than currently forecast. This is the most sanguine that we have been about the economy and the office market since before the recession."

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the office vacancy rate starting in 1980 (prior to 1999 the data is annual). Back in the early '80s, there was overbuilding in the office sector even as the vacancy rate was rising. This was due to the very loose lending that led to the S&L crisis.

In the '90s, office investment picked up as the vacancy rate fell. Following the bursting of the stock bubble, the vacancy rate increased sharply and office investment declined.

During the housing bubble, office investment started to increase even before the vacancy rate had fallen below 14%. This was due to loose lending - again. Investment essentially stopped following the financial crisis.

Even with the recent increases, office investment is below the levels of previous slow periods - and the vacancy rate is still very high.  Like Reis, I expect the office vacancy rate to continue to decline, and for office investment to slowly recover.

Office vacancy data courtesy of Reis.

by Calculated Risk on 1/06/2015 10:06:00 AM

The December ISM Non-manufacturing index was at 56.2%, down from 59.3% in November. The employment index decreased in December to 56.0%, down from 56.7% in November. Note: Above 50 indicates expansion, below 50 contraction.

From the Institute for Supply Management: December 2014 Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®

Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in December for the 59th consecutive month, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Anthony Nieves, CPSM, C.P.M., CFPM, chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "The NMI® registered 56.2 percent in December, 3.1 percentage points lower than the November reading of 59.3 percent. This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index decreased to 57.2 percent, which is 7.2 percentage points lower than the November reading of 64.4 percent, reflecting growth for the 65th consecutive month at a slower rate. The New Orders Index registered 58.9 percent, 2.5 percentage points lower than the reading of 61.4 percent registered in November. The Employment Index decreased 0.7 percentage point to 56 percent from the November reading of 56.7 percent and indicates growth for the tenth consecutive month. The Prices Index decreased 4.9 percentage points from the November reading of 54.4 percent to 49.5 percent, indicating prices contracted in December when compared to November. According to the NMI®, 12 non-manufacturing industries reported growth in December. Comments from respondents are mostly positive about business conditions and the overall economy for year-end.""
emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the ISM non-manufacturing index (started in January 2008) and the ISM non-manufacturing employment diffusion index.

This was below the consensus forecast of 58.2% and suggests slower expansion in December than in November.  Still a decent report.