NOTE: This Market Commentary alert was originally emailed to subscribers at Ritholtz Research & Analytics on Mon 2/12/2007 5:35 pm;
This is posted here not as investing advice, but
rather as an example of a trading call for potential subscribers. We
expect to post future advisories in a similar manner — after the call,
but in the correct chronological location on the blog.
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When the Q4 2006 GDP data was initially released at 3.5%, we noted that it did not comport with the data we were seeing elsewhere. And in January, we approvingly referenced Caroline Baum’s analysis (Q4 Data Doesn’t Add Up).
Then last week, the Commerce Department released their data on Inventory levels. Based on that, it turns out that our prior criticisms of GDP were dead on:
"U.S. wholesalers’ inventories took the biggest tumble in more than
three years during December as overall demand for their goods raced
forward.Wholesale inventories decreased by 0.5% to a
seasonally adjusted $393.76 billion, the Commerce Department said
Thursday. November inventories rose by 1.1%, adjusted from a previously
reported 1.3% climb.
The 0.5% decrease in December wholesale inventories surprised Wall
Street, which expected a 0.5% gain. It was the sharpest drop since 0.6%
in May 2003."
Inventories being drawn down are different than actual production of goods. Hence, this is why the Commerce data overstated Q4 GDP by as much as 75 basis points (my estimate) to 100 basis points (JPMorgan’s est.).
Have a look at these two charts. The first is the official Commerce Department data, based only on the prelim GDP. The second chart reflects our new estimates based on the latest inventory data:
The original release (above) gives the impression of an economy moving sideways, growing at a consistent rate between 3 and 3.5%. This is consistent with the soft landing thesis many of the strong Bulls believe in.
Reality check. With the new Inventory data from Commerce, however, that rosy scenario fades away. First, most of the big GDP pop came when rates were at generational lows and were that way for a year. This artificial stimulation is what gave the economy its pop:
GDP (expected revision)
Using the most recent J.P. Morgan estimates (chart 2), we see that GDP has actually been on the downslide since peaking in late 2003/early 2004.
If the economic deceleration continues on (as I suspect it will), there is a very real possibility we will see GDP slip to 1-2% by mid 2007.
-Barry Ritholtz
February 12, 2007
Note: I have also included today’s software sector update ; Later this week, I will update our prior stock selection Mosiac Company (MOS)
Sources:
MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
U.S. Census Bureau News, DECEMBER 2006
http://www.census.gov/mwts/www/currentwhl.html
