ECONOMY

The U.S. economy started the year on a positive note before social distancing restrictions in response to COVID-19 led to the start of a sharp deceleration. The unemployment rate stood at a 50-year low while wage growth remained comfortably range-bound and not a threat to profit margins. Progress on the U.S.-China trade deal provided some clarity that buoyed business confidence late last year. Globally, growth exhibited signs of improvement early in 2020 but that changed quickly.

 

In early March, China’s manufacturing and service Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data reflected the profoundly negative impact of COVID-19 on the local economy, posting a decline almost on par to that of the 2008 financial crisis. COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and as the first quarter came to an end, similarly weak data was being reported across the globe and in the U.S. Disagreement between Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members led to a decision to boost supply and cause oil prices to decline by one-third in a single day, creating additional pressures on the energy industry.

 

The most recent U.S. economic data provided the anticipated evidence that recession may have arrived. Jobless claims surged by over 3 million, nearly five times the prior peak. The Markit U.S. Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for the services sector declined to 39.1 for March, a level consistent with recession. Finally, oil prices, weighed down by global recession fears, declined for five straight weeks and finished the quarter over 65% below where they started the year. Forecasts for second-quarter U.S. economic growth continued to decline as the quarter closed and a substantial contraction is expected.

 

The passage of a $2 trillion stimulus package in Congress will provide important support to businesses and workers adversely impacted by the virus. This stimulus package is more than double the 2009 stimulus in the aftermath of the financial crisis and provides noteworthy economic support. Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) response is more robust than during the 2008 financial crisis. After announcing emergency rate cuts and a renewal of bond purchases, the Fed launched a variety of targeted lending facilities and liquidity measures to help ensure better functioning of financial markets. At the end of the first quarter, the benefits of these measures have become evident in financial markets and the dollar volume of support will continue to provide benefits in the coming weeks and months.

 

 

GLOBAL EQUITIES

U.S. large-cap stocks, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, fell by 20% during the first quarter of 2020 due to the growing concern COVID-19 would likely lead to a recession both in the U.S. and globally. At one point during the quarter, U.S. stocks declined by more than 30% from their peak, and the drop into bear market territory (defined as a decline of 20% or more from a market peak) was the fastest in history, even quicker than that of the Great Depression. As recently as February 19, the S&P 500 Index reached an all-time closing high of 3,386.15 due to the combination of better than expected U.S. corporate earnings, a bounce-back in non- farm productivity, and various global leading indicators turning higher.

 

The quarter ended on a positive note with stocks rallying by over 15%, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, from the low of March 23, as optimism about containing the virus within weeks rather than months combined with the fiscal and monetary stimuli already having been initiated would help the economy recover sooner rather than later.

 

Still, the first quarter of 2020 was the worst on record for the more economically sensitive Dow Jones Industrial Average, while the broader S&P 500 Index posted its fifth weakest quarterly performance on record. Within U.S. equities, small-cap stocks as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, underperformed large-cap stocks, which is typically the case when economic growth expectations deteriorate.

 

Equity market declines were widespread and global. International stocks were not spared, and developed international country stocks fell by 23%, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index. Similarly, emerging market stocks did not fare any better as the MSCI EM Index was down almost 24%.

 

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FIXED INCOME

U.S. Treasury prices jumped higher, and yields declined sharply during the first quarter as prospects of a slowing U.S. economy, coupled with an intense flight to safety buying, boosted U.S. Treasuries. The 10-year Treasury yield decreased to 0.7% from 1.9%.

 

Not all segments of the high-quality bond market benefited, however. The broad, bond market weakened in March because of deficiencies in high-quality mortgage-backed securities and investment-grade corporate bonds. As investors sought cash, liquidity deteriorated and was exacerbated by forced sellers’ mutual fund redemptions and margin calls. Investment-grade bond mutual funds saw record outflows during this time, and although investment-grade corporate bond prices improved late in the quarter, it was not enough to offset losses for the sector.

 

The Federal Reserve (Fed) assisted the bond market by taking aggressive action to bring the Federal Funds rate down to zero from 1.5% in two reductions during March and announcing a new round of bond purchases and lending facilities to boost overall liquidity.

 

Municipal bonds, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index, declined as mutual fund redemptions (like investment-grade corporate bonds) led to lower prices than implied by underlying fundamentals. Municipal bonds rebounded late in the quarter but not enough to offset the mid-March weakness.

 

More economically sensitivite high-yield bonds, both taxable and tax-exempt, lagged during the quarter as is typically the case ahead of recessions. A lack of liquidity exacerbated declines in both markets but saw a modest rebound late in the quarter.

 

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ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS

Alternative investment strategies generally held up better than equities, but still suffered declines on average. Still, these strategies helped reduce overall volatility in a diversified portfolio. The broad-based HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index declined by 6.9%, suggesting alternative strategies were better positioned to the volatile environment.

 

REAL ASSETS

Except for gold, real assets broadly weakened during the first quarter of 2020, reflecting the global economic slowdown.

 

MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (MLP)

Master Limited Partnerships (MLP) fell sharply as oil prices registered their worst quarterly performance on record. Oil prices suffered a one-two punch: first, a rise in supply after OPEC and non-affiliated Russia failed to reach a production cut agreement, and second, a demand shock due to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the global economy.

 

REITs

REITs underperformed broad equities during the first quarter, largely due to tightening credit conditions, and the prospect of sharply weaker property fundamentals. Hotels/Gaming, Senior Housing, and Retail are the sectors most affected by the coronavirus, while self-storage, health care-related, and industrials were less impacted.

 

COMMODITIES

Commodities overall declined by 24%, led by the collapse in oil prices. Natural gas prices were down by almost 25%. Gold, seen as a possible haven during volatile times, increased by over 3% during the quarter, while copper, a more economically sensitive metal, declined by more than 20%.

 

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Trust and fiduciary services are provided by Zions Bancorporation, N.A., through its Wealth & Fiduciary Services Group (WFS). Investments are not insured by the FDIC or any federal or state government agency, are not deposits of, or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, Zions Bancorporation, N.A., or its affiliates, and may be subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal value or amount invested. Amegy Bank, California Bank & Trust, The Commerce Bank of Oregon, The Commerce Bank of Washington, National Bank of Arizona, Nevada State Bank, Vectra Bank Colorado, Zions Bank are divisions of Zions Bancorporation, N.A.

 

This information is not meant as a guide to investing or as a source of specific investment recommendations, and WFS makes no implied or expressed recommendations concerning how any client’s accounts should or would be handled, as appropriate investment decisions depend on the client’s investment objectives. The information is general in nature and is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or tax advice. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor before investing.

The information is subject to change and, although based on information that WFS considers reliable, is not guaranteed for accuracy or completeness. WFS makes no warranties regarding the information or results obtained by its use and disclaims any liability arising out of your use of, or reliance on, the information. The economic forecasts in this presentation may not develop as predicted.