An Update On The Markets and The Response to COVID-19

In these unprecedented times, we want to encourage an open dialogue with our clients and communicate our thoughts on the ever-changing market environment on a regular basis. It can be challenging to understand market moves in times like these when health-related matters and the economic issues are changing at such a rapid pace.

Financial markets are likely to continue to experience price volatility (both up and down) in the near-term, but we continue to think that the long-term view remains sound, especially considering the recent actions by authorities, which we believe will help contribute to the recovery. As we communicated to you recently, the stock market is a leading indicator. We believe that much of the negative health and economic news now making headlines has been expected, or “priced in” already by the equity markets. An example of this is the fact that today the U.S. set a record for initial unemployment claims of 3.2 million, but the S&P 500 Index rallied more than 6% on the day.

As we outlined in our e-mail yesterday, markets are seeking clarity on three fronts: (1) monetary policy, (2) fiscal policy, and (3) biology.

Monetary policy, which is action by the Federal Reserve and other global central banks, has been swift and decisive. The Federal Reserve has committed to an open-ended quantitative easing (QE), or bond-buying, plan with many crisis-era lending facilities to help businesses and banks get through tough times. Central banks do not need to draft legislation or vote, making their process more efficient and less politically entangled. In our view, central banks have largely learned from past mistakes (e.g., acting too slowly in 2007-09), and they are taking the steps more quickly to guide the economy through these difficult times.

Fiscal policy has been slower to respond than monetary policy, and, because it requires legislation to become operative, it has included more political posturing. At the same time, the scope and size of the fiscal policy response has exceeded initial expectations. The official U.S. fiscal stimulus package (also being referred to as “crisis aid”) is $2 trillion, or 10% of GDP. Among the most important economic provisions are:

$377 billion (1.8% of GDP) small business program that will provide affected businesses with loans that they will not need to repay if the proceeds are used to pay wages or other necessities.
$500 billion (2.4% of GDP) in capital for loans and loan guarantees, including $454 billion that the Treasury may use to backstop Federal Reserve facilities to provide business credit.
$250 billion (1.2% of GDP) in payments to individuals ($1200 per adult, $500 per child) in certain income brackets.
$250 billion (1.2% of GDP) in expanded unemployment insurance that will replace a worker’s lost wages, on average.
$150 billion (0.7% of GDP) in fiscal aid to states, which should mostly offset the effects of COVID-19 on state/local budgets.
$340 billion (1.6% of GDP) in federal spending, of which $130 billion is directed to hospitals and health care efforts.

It has been estimated that the $500 billion in point (2) above can be leveraged through lending into $4-5 trillion of ultimate aid through the Fed’s various tools. This calculation is how many people get to the “$6 trillion” stimulus number, which is closer to 25-30% of GDP.

The legislation, which is to be taken up shortly by the House of Representatives and then sent to the president for signing, is unlikely to avert a recession given the expected decline in economic activity as a result of social distancing requirements. The stimulus is huge, but it is not likely enough to offset the downturn in terms of GDP in the near term. However, these programs should reduce the medium-term damage to affected businesses and the labor market, and they should allow for a faster recovery when the lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Lastly, we think that looking at the number of new cases around the world is a useful way to begin to determine if efforts to flatten the curve have been successful and how they may affect financial markets.

An example of a country that has been heavily hit is Italy. The human toll has been severe, and our hearts go out to the people impacted. In analyzing the number of new cases, it seems as if the path of the virus in Italy may have peaked. As shown below on the top graph, Italy has had three days in a row of fewer new cases. It took Italy longer than South Korea (below on the bottom graph) to reach this point, but it gives some hope that the lockdowns are helping to flatten the curve.

The more countries we can add to the list of places where mitigation policies have led to a peak in daily new confirmed cases and a slowdown in the rate of infection (such as China, Italy, and South Korea), the more other countries (such as the U.S.) may take note and find a faster path forward from crisis to recovery.

All of us remain poised to support you at any time. If there is more we can be doing for you, or questions we can help answer, please reach out to us. As always, we hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

Our Perspective: An Update On The Markets and The Continuing Response to COVID-19

Insights: COVID-19 Uncertainties Rattle Investors and Fuel Psychological and Market Volatility

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