Stephanie Roth, Chief Economist at Wolfe Research, shares her insights on the upcoming jobs report and the US economy's outlook. Amanda Lynam, from BlackRock, discusses the resilient corporate credit market amid slowing growth. Kate McShane of Goldman Sachs analyzes evolving consumer spending patterns and retail strategies, emphasizing inflation's impact. Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO of Baker Hughes, highlights growth opportunities in the energy sector for the latter half of 2024, focusing on market dynamics and production efficiency.
The U.S. job market may add about 165,000 jobs, but concerns about rising unemployment could reflect external disruptions like hurricanes.
The energy sector is witnessing contrasting growth, with international demand for drilling services increasing while domestic markets remain cautious and disciplined.
Deep dives
Job Market Dynamics and Predictions
Recent analysis predicts that approximately 165,000 jobs were added in the last month, with concerns that a further deterioration in the job market may trigger a rise in the unemployment rate to around 4.4%. While signs of softness and potential weak payrolls have emerged, some experts believe this is largely a reaction to specific events such as hurricanes impacting job loss figures. The anticipated rebound may be reflected in a more favorable outcome from Texas where a recovery of around 37,000 jobs is expected. Ultimately, if payrolls come in closer to 150,000, it would be a validation of the economy’s steady performance despite the noise in recent revisions.
Credit Market Sensitivity to Economic Growth
The credit market's sensitivity to growth concerns has been evident, particularly for high-yield and leveraged loan issuers. Recent market movements show that while credit spreads widened due to growth fears, they quickly rebounded, indicating investor vigilance regarding credit performance amidst these uncertainties. Investors are primarily focusing on whether growth remains slightly above trend, which could buffer against extreme downturns. The distinction between a recessionary outcome and current moderate growth reflects a broader sentiment of resilience within corporate credit despite potential economic challenges.
Trends in the Energy Sector
The energy sector is experiencing a varied outlook, particularly between international and domestic markets, with higher demand for drilling services abroad compared to a stagnating domestic market. Baker Hughes, for instance, has reported growth in international markets while identifying a cautious stance among North American operators, driven by capital discipline and production efficiencies. Emphasis on maximizing recovery rates from mature oil wells indicates ongoing strategies for profitability despite market constraints. Additionally, the anticipated demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the regulatory changes regarding export licenses could signal future growth opportunities for U.S. energy exports.
Consumer Behavior Insights and Retail Dynamics
Consumer behavior is showing signs of resilience despite growing concerns over potential fragility, with retailers noting that consumers are increasingly discerning in their spending patterns. Shifts from good consumption towards services indicate a transitional phase as the economy stabilizes post-COVID-19, leading to emerging competition in retail. Improvements in margins observed in various retail sectors are linked more to decreasing costs than significant gains from AI efficiencies. Moreover, consolidation among major retailers is emphasized, with consumers drawn to low prices and convenient shopping options that enhance market share for dominant players.
-Stephanie Roth, Wolfe Research Chief Economist -Amanda Lynam, BlackRock Head of Macro Credit Research -Kate McShane, Goldman Sachs US Retailing/Broadlines and Hardlines Analyst -Lorenzo Simonelli, Baker Hughes CEO
Stephanie Roth of Wolfe Research looks ahead to Friday's jobs report and shares her outlook on the US economy. Amanda Lynam of BlackRock walks through the corporate credit landscape, saying slowing growth has created a resilient environment for investors. Kate McShane of Goldman Sachs joins Surveillance from the bank's Annual Global Retailing Conference and details the outlook for the retail sector heading into 4Q. Baker Hughes CEO Lorenzo Simonelli discusses growth opportunities in the energy sector for the 2H of 2024.