FROM ONE RISK TO ANOTHER
The U.S. economy grew 5.7% in 2021, exhibiting strength after an unprecedented global
pandemic, but as the economy marched into 2022, the COVID-19 Omicron variant squelched
some of the rebound in economic activity. Most saw this headwind to be temporary and mostly
affecting the first quarter estimates. The LPL growth forecast for 2022 was initially developed
in November 2021, and so the reality of a new COVID-19 variant stage was yet to emerge. As
the data came out, we saw the need to revise down our forecast for the year. We currently
expect the U.S. economy to grow 3.7% in 2022 with risks to the downside for multiple reasons.
The rest of this commentary explains the overall themes supporting the forecast. We end this
note with risks and alternative scenarios.
FROM SHUTTERED TO UNSHUTTERED
Vaccination rates, COVID-19 cases, and hospitalizations have all improved in recent months
and the data proves it. Google mobility trends for everything from theme parks to movie
theaters are higher now than last year. Even though remote work seems to be available for
many white-collar jobs, Google mobility trends for places of work is also up since December.
These stats bode well for consumer spending and business investment, two key components
to economic growth and corporate profits.
The speed at which federal, state, and local governments shuttered the economy gave rise to
an unprecedented shift away from services spending and into goods spending. Now, the
debate is centered on how fast this compositional shift will revert to more normal ratios.
PURCHASING A NEW WASHING MACHINE HAPPENS ONLY SO MANY TIMES
At the height of the pandemic shutdowns, consumers spent discretionary funds on bikes,
boats, beds, or books. Few spent on cruises and casinos. Even if people wanted those
services, governmental authorities closed those doors.
An unintended consequence of this massive shift in demand from services to goods created
immense pressure on suppliers to get products to the market in a timely fashion. The toilet
paper and N95 mask shortages of 2020 illustrate fundamental laws of economics. If prices and
supply are fixed in the short run and consumer demand spikes, the market will experience
shortages. In a freely functioning economy, the simple way to fix a shortage is for suppliers to
raise prices and post COVID-19, these fundamental laws still hold true. Much of the lingering
inflationary pressures come from these supply and demand imbalances. However, demand for
durable goods will likely normalize soon. Most people do not buy a new washing machine on a
regular or even semi-regular basis. Outside of the ratio of goods to services spending,
suppliers are also dealing with demand that may be sustained longer than anticipated. For
example, a new study by Global Industry Analysts report that the N95 mask market will reach
$11.8 billion in a few years.1 For our forecast, we expect consumer goods spending to
contribute to growth in 2022 but not at the same rate as 2021 (Figure 1).
In previous years, consumer goods spending contributed less than 1% to overall GDP, and if
domestic consumers normalize spending habits this year, we will have downside risk to our
2022 growth estimate. Consumers pulled forward demand, so goods consumption added an
outsized amount to headline growth.
A REBOUND IN SERVICES SPENDING COULD SUPPORT GROWTH IN Q3 AND Q4
The base case for the forecast rests on a recovery in services spending as the year
progresses. Real spending on goods will normalize as consumers pulled forward demand in
recent quarters and as consumers had stimulus funds to spend while sheltered at home. Still,
services spending is below trend (Figure 2)
Our baseline forecast expects the Federal Reserve to move at a measured pace and not likely
“shock and awe” the markets with unexpected large rate hikes. We also expect that as
demand and supply imbalances normalize, consumers will expect easing pricing pressures.
Ripple effects from the Russian invasion of Ukraine will be mostly in Europe and will be
minimal in the U.S. Russia only accounts for roughly 1% of U.S. goods imports (Figure 3). Our
forecast does have risks to the downside as commodity prices have spiked and we do not
know how OPEC+ and other systemically important entities will respond.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any
individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive
outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. Any economic forecasts set forth may not develop as
predicted and are subject to change.
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unmanaged statistical composites and cannot be invested into directly. Index performance is not indicative of the performance
of any investment and does not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. All performance referenced is historical and is no
guarantee of future results.
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their products or services. LPL Financial doesn’t provide research on individual equities.
All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness
or accuracy.
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earned by the firm per share. It is a financial ratio used for valuation: a higher PE ratio means that investors are paying more
for each unit of net income, so the stock is more expensive compared to one with lower PE ratio.
Earnings per share (EPS) is the portion of a company’s profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock. EPS
serves as an indicator of a company’s profitability. Earnings per share is generally considered to be the single most important
variable in determining a share’s price. It is also a major component used to calculate the price-to-earnings valuation ratio.
All index data from FactSet.
This research material has been prepared by LPL Financial LLC.
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