Quarterly Commentary
Dear Client,
Challenges in the quarter
This past quarter exemplifies what you as an investor should consider regarding your portfolio. We’ve seen tensions increase in the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East and ongoing drama from the United States. You’d be forgiven if you thought the increased drama had negatively affected global equity markets. Equity markets can move up or down each day for many reasons but over the long term, market valuations tend to return to their fundamentals—and the fundamentals during the past three quarters have justified markets moving higher.
Canada
Oil prices advanced throughout the quarter by nearly twelve per cent to US$51.70 per barrel. A strong economy and a rebound in commodity prices helped S&P/TSX Composite earnings grow at nearly 32 per cent. Nine of ten sectors saw positive earnings growth in the third quarter, which helped the S&P/TSX Composite Index gain 2.9 per cent. The U.S. is expected to produce 10 million barrels of oil a day by next year, which will offset recent increases in global oil demand. As a result, oil will likely average in the high US$40 range for the rest of the year.
The United States
U.S. corporations are reporting better year-over-year sales and earnings results. Employment continues to improve with a falling unemployment rate, recently at 4.4 per cent as of the end of August. This implies wage growth in the second half of 2017. Higher wage growth coupled with low gasoline prices means U.S. consumption is in a strong fundamental position. Since U.S. consumption accounts for three quarters of U.S. economic output, the U.S. economy is on the right track. As a result, prospects for equities should be good for the rest of the year. The benchmark S&P 500 Index gained 4.0 per cent in the second quarter, in U.S. dollar terms, or slightly negative at -0.1 per cent in Canadian dollar terms, reflecting improved company results.
Overseas
In overseas markets, international equities rose 0.7 per cent in Canadian dollar terms as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index. Brexit considerations aside, the European economic outlook has improved. Asia is showing improvement in its regional economies and stock markets—suggesting the growth we see is truly global in nature.
Central Bank Policy
In the second quarter, the U.S. Federal Reserve did not tighten interest rates after raising them twice by increments of 0.25 per cent to 1.25 percent in 2017. However, they announced they will begin to reduce the $4.5 trillion balance sheet starting in October. The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to continue to raise its benchmark rate another time by the end of the year.
The Bank of Canada began tightening its interest rate policy to 1.0 per cent by announcing two rate increases of 25 basis points each in July and September. As a result, the Canadian dollar rallied nearly four per cent versus the U.S. dollar. It’s expected rates will increase very gradually going forward. The recent increases were significant changes considering Canada hasn’t seen a rate increase since September 2010.
Looking forward
We continue to believe the U.S., Canadian, and international economic environment will improve over what it was a year ago but it bears repeating that a positive economic environment doesn’t necessarily mean better returns. While we may be confident equity markets will deliver another year of positive returns, market volatility is likely to remain through the rest of 2017, driven mainly by headline news and politics.
As always, if you have any questions about the markets or your investments, I'm here to talk.
Regards,
Manoj Kapil
Financial Advisor, Manulife Securities Incorporated
14 George St North, Suite 203, Brampton, Ontario, L6X 1R2
Phone: (905) 454-5097 Fax: (905) 454-3910
Website: http://www.kapilfinancial.ca/
Email: manoj.kapil@manulifesecurities.ca