SouthBay Research has a "Vice Index" that that tracks spending on gambling, alcohol, drugs, and prostitution and, as of February, the vice index had tumbled, suggesting that after a brief burst in late 2017 and 2018, the consumer-driven economy is again in trouble. Shown below is SouthBay's proprietary Vice Index (lagged by 6 months) which tumbled in February to -2%, its worst print since 2012. 
Here is the same Vice Index shown unlagged: it shows that the impact of the Trump tax cut was "short but sweet", an ominous warning for the broader economy. 
As Southbay notes, unlagged the Vice Index reflects two recent major swings: - The 2016 Reflation: The U.S. and global economies rebounded in late 2016 with a firming up of oil and materials prices, as well as the Trump election. As a function of its leading indicator qualities, the Vice Index began surging July 2016.
- Trump tax cut: The Trump tax overhaul was approved in December 2017 but consumers began spending before then. Meanwhile the Vice Index began to surge in October.
The Vice Index is a very reliable gauge of shifts in the economy as they impact consumer spending and, as SouthBay's Andrew Zatlin writes, "it is pointing to a sharp downturn in consumer spending, as if the tax cut never happened." It's very possible that the pace of spending will pick up over the year but first some household financial healing needs to take place. Some further observations from SouthBay Research on the state of the U.S. consumer: Personal Consumption Shows Household Financial Stress Why would the Vice Index point to a looming pullback in the pace of consumer spending? Here's a snapshot of household finances. 
Coming into January: - spending outpaced incomes by $133B
- savings had dropped (-$148B)
- but disposable income jumped $106B one-month jump thanks to:
- a 2% jump in cost of living adjustments to government benefits (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security)
- a drop in taxes (taxes fell -3.3% from December to January). That's a 'permanent' 5.3% jump in disposable income.
Financial healing first, spending next - Consumers pre-spent a lot of the Trump tax cut: In anticipation of the tax cut, households went on a spending spree. You can see that in the pace and timing of the drop in savings: a little drop in September (when the tax cut seemed likely) and a bigger drop in November when the cut was agreed. Consumers were spending ahead of the expected savings.
- Spending actually slowed in January: In the 2H 2017, PCE averaged $60B+ per month. In January it was half or $31B. In fact, of the January $106B gain, all but $5B went to savings.
- Watch the cost of debt: Since September, more debt and higher rates has driven interest rate payments up $22B (a 7% growth)
Here's what to expect according to Zatlin: - 1Q: Relatively slow pace of retail spending. There's a consumer hangover as savings get repaired and the big holiday bills get paid.
- 2Q: Spending resumes.
- By April, U.S. households will be enjoying tax rebates and also factoring in the additional $100B per month from lower taxes and COLA.
- Higher interest rates and inflation will nibble away at some of this boost in spending.
- Spending to pick up in 2Q.
It's a consumer hangover following the first. The savings hole must be re-filled and then the holiday spending bills must be re-paid. Perhaps the spending rebound will take place as expected. Scroll to very bottom of page & add your comments on this article. We want to share what you have to say! For all the latest ? and best ? financial articles sign up (in the top right corner) for your free bi-weekly Market Intelligence Report newsletter (see sample here) or visit our Facebook page. The post Spending On Hookers, Drugs And Booze Tumbles Suggesting Consumer-driven Economy In Trouble - Again appeared first on munKNEE dot.com. |
