27aplM

Tech rally, inflation surprise, and EU trade war

Equities 5 minutes to read
Picture of Peter Garnry
Peter Garnry

Chief Investment Strategist

Key points

  • Two-lane economy concept: The recent market performance highlights a "two-lane economy," where sectors immune to high interest rates, like information technology, are thriving (up 5.3%), while others are struggling. The US equity market outperformed with a 1.5% increase, contrasting with a 1.6% decline in the European market amid political uncertainty in France.

  • Inflation and economic indicators: US May inflation figures were weaker than expected, with the supercore inflation measure showing its first negative month-over-month figure since late 2022. Despite encouraging signs, high annualized core inflation means the Fed is unlikely to cut rates soon. The Dallas Fed Weekly Economic Indicators suggest the US economy is accelerating, with estimated real GDP growth rising to 2.73%.

  • Strong earnings and investment boom: Companies like Oracle, Broadcom, and Adobe reported strong earnings driven by high demand for AI. There is an investment boom in information technology, healthcare, and communication services, with investments in these sectors growing at twice the rate compared to the period from 2012-2020. The utility sector is also experiencing significant growth in capital expenditures, driven by the rise of AI data centers and higher electricity consumption.

 

Last week underscores the “two-lane economy” concept

Performance the past week, including the last week’s Friday session, underscores the concept of the “two-lane economy” where one part, the one immune to high interest rates, is doing great, and another part is struggling with high interest rates and inflation. Information technology stocks rose 5.3% while every other sector was down underscoring the extreme skewness we observe in markets with AI being the underlying driver of this dynamic. The biggest story in technology this week was Apple announcing a partnership with OpenAI integrating ChatGPT into its ecosystem of products with payment through distribution and not cash. This means that OpenAI is likely going to get access to a new and vast dataset that could accelerate and improve its models even more in the future widening its moat in generative AI.

Across geographies the US equity market was also the strongest up 1.5% while the European equity market was down 1.6% as political uncertainty has been injected as French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a snap election after his party suffered bad EU parliamentary results last weekend.

The 2% decline in the energy sector has increased the expected real returns for energy stocks to 6.9% annualised which means that energy stocks remain the most attractive. The strong performance in information technology has lowered its expected returns to 4.8%. If one compute the expected real rate return based on the information and estimates we have today then it is 4.4% for the MSCI World Index. Is that good or bad? It depends on the investor’s risk profile and tolerance for drawdowns. The alternative is US 10-year government bonds. They have a yield of 4.2% and with the 10-year inflation at 2.5% (basically the market’s expectation of inflation over the next 10 years) then the expected 10-year real rate return is only 1.7% annualised.

14_pg_1
14_pg_2

Inflation: one is a change, two is a trend

The big news this week was the weaker than expected US May inflation figure with the supercore inflation measure (core services less housing) printing its first negative MoM figure since late 2022. The US services sector inflation less energy (a different core measure) saw 0.22% MoM gain, the weakest since September 2011, lowering the 6-month average MoM rate to 0.44% or 5.5% annualised. As they say in statistics, one is a change, two is a trend. The inflation report was encouraging, but with annualised measures of core inflation still remaining way too high it will take time before the Fed feels confident enough to cut the policy rate. Especially, because their inflation models have been wrong for a year now. While the US inflation report suggests that the US economy is cooling the Dallas Fed Weekly Economic Indicators rose last week to 2.73% estimated real GDP growth up from around 1.7% back in April suggesting the US economy is actually accelerating. Data is still very noisy.

14_pg_3

Strong earnings from Oracle, Broadcom, and Adobe

This week delivered strong earnings and outlooks from Oracle, Broadcom, and Adobe. The red thread behind all the results was strong demand for AI. Oracle’s new partnerships with Google Cloud and OpenAI are driving infrastructure demand leading analysts to expect revenue growth to go from 3.3% YoY in the previous quarter to 11.6% in four quarters from now. More importantly for shareholders, Oracle also expanded its operating margin by 170 basis points. Broadcom signalled a cyclical bottom in some of its businesses and pointed out that its AI chip segment will see accelerating growth. After three disappointing earnings releases Adobe finally surprised to the upside last night reporting better-than-expected revenue figures and especially the digital media business net new annual recurring revenue figure was strong.

It is difficult to see the US economy beginning to surprise to the downside when companies in general are upbeat on the future. There is an investment boom going on in information technology, health care, and communication services with investments up 50% over the past 3,5 years. The same growth rate in those three sectors was achieved over a period of 8 years leading up to this investment boom. In other words, corporate investments are going at twice growth today compared to the period 2012-2020. The utility sector is another sector that is experiencing a growth shift growing capital expenditures 23% since November 2022 when ChatGPT was launched publicly kickstarting growth in AI data centres and higher electricity consumption. Investments in the global utility sector had been unchanged in the preceding 14 years in nominal terms.

EU tariffs on Chinese EVs is just the beginning

The fragmentation game, which we have talked about over the past two years, is a geopolitical dynamics that puts an end to globalisation as we have come to know it fragmenting the world economy into big blocs. As we have also been saying for quite some time is that the harder China pushes on its subsidy-driven export strategy to offset domestic weakness the harder the pushback will be from the US and Europe. In the short term, China’s export policy is deflationary, but longer term it drives tariffs and higher inflation. The EU decided on Wednesday, to put tariffs of up to 50% on Chinese EVs. China has already said that they will retaliate. Germany is of course reluctant to be too harsh on China because Germany itself is an exporting country and benefits from globalisation and less trade friction. Our view is that this is only the beginning and more tariffs will come against China with their e-commerce businesses such as Shein and Temu as next in line.

Next week: ZEW, PMIs, and Lennar earnings

  • ZEW: On Tuesday the important ZEW survey for June is released which measure economic expectations for the German economy by financial experts. The index is expected to show 50 vs 47 in May which will mark the 11th straight month of rising expectations for the German economy.

  • Eurozone and US PMIs: The week ends with key preliminary June PMI figures for the Eurozone and the US with both expected to show overall robust growth. Eurozone composite PMI (services and manufacturing) is expected at 52.3 vs 52.2 in May.

  • Earnings: Key earnings to watch next week are Lennar (Mon) and Accenture (Thu) with the most interesting being Lennar earnings because the housing sector is very important for economic growth. Analysts expect Lennar to report FY24 Q2 (ending 31 May) revenue growth of 7% YoY and EPS of $3.24 up 10% YoY. Consensus is also looking for new-home orders to increase 18% YoY indicating that the housing market for homebuilders is still strong despite high mortgage rates.
14_pg_4

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • Upending the global order at blinding speed

    Quarterly Outlook

    Upending the global order at blinding speed

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

    We are witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime shredding of the global order. As the new order takes shape, ...
  • Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Quarterly Outlook

    Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Jacob Falkencrone

    Global Head of Investment Strategy

  • Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Quarterly Outlook

    China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

None of the information provided on this website constitutes an offer, solicitation, or endorsement to buy or sell any financial instrument, nor is it financial, investment, or trading advice. Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd. (Saxo) and the Saxo Bank Group provides execution-only services, with all trades and investments based on self-directed decisions. Analysis, research, and educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice nor a recommendation. Access and use of this website is subject to: (i) the Terms of Use; (ii) the full Disclaimer; (iii) the Risk Warning; and (iv) any other notice or terms applying to Saxo’s news and research.

Saxo’s content may reflect the personal views of the author, which are subject to change without notice. Mentions of specific financial products are for illustrative purposes only and may serve to clarify financial literacy topics. Content classified as investment research is marketing material and does not meet legal requirements for independent research.

Before making any investment decisions, you should assess your own financial situation, needs, and objectives, and consider seeking independent professional advice. Saxo does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages resulting from the use of this information.

Please refer to our full disclaimer for more details.

Saxo
40 Bank Street, 26th floor
E14 5DA
London
United Kingdom

Contact Saxo

Select region

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Trade Responsibly
All trading carries risk. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more
Additional Key Information Documents are available in our trading platform.

Saxo is a registered Trading Name of Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd (‘Saxo’). Saxo is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 551422. Registered address: 26th Floor, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DA. Company number 7413871. Registered in England & Wales.

This website, including the information and materials contained in it, are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in the United States, Belgium or any other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

It is important that you understand that with investments, your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make an informed decision about whether or not to invest with us. If you are still unsure if investing is right for you, please seek independent advice. Saxo assumes no liability for any loss sustained from trading in accordance with a recommendation.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

©   since 1992