Better Days Ahead |
| Written by Rob Goldman |
Better Days AheadEven though the employment figures last week were rotten, growth is slowing in Asia, manufacturing is slowing in the U.S. and the IMF has lowered its global GDP forecast, it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. Some of the numbers are actually amusing on the employment side. Not so long ago, the U.S. economy was producing twice as many jobs as it average during 2Q12. For June, more people signed up for disability than were hired in the private and public sectors. The Department of Labor’s statistics are fascinating, especially when one takes into account public versus private hiring. Around 21 million people are employed by branches of federal and local governments in the U.S. and that number will grow incrementally, thanks to Obamacare. That will bring total public hiring to around 11%, which compares with 8.2% unemployment and 14.9% total unemployed. Weird. As historically bad as these figures are, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Restaurant hiring has outpaced most sectors this year. With low oil prices and greater hiring in this space, that portends a potential uptick in consumer spending in 2H12. This follows a quietly strong auto sales period in June. With stabilization in Europe, an uptick in consumer spending, despite the unemployment figures, better commodities pricing, and realistic EPS forecasts, we are bullish. Remember, there are some cool technology products slated to be released in 2H12 which will provide a boost as well. All in all, the primary issue we see as a possible barrier to success is the geopolitical risk in the Middle East. What's Up?This week brings us the start of earnings season. In our view, the most important firms releasing results are Marriott International (NYSE—MAR) which will give investors a glimpse of consumer spending in the hospitality arena, and Wells Fargo (NYSE - WFC), which will provide a good barometer in the banking and finance space. The troubled J.P. Morgan (NYSE—JPM) also reports this week. Economic reports should once again dominate, until next week’s big earnings reporting crunch. At the end of the week, we will have the weekly jobless claims, followed by the Producer Price Index figures as well as the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey. With a likely choppy week following an abridged one last week, we expect weak volumes and favorable buying opportunities. A Funny Thing Happened…A crazy thing happened last week, as brought to our attention by one of our readers. We were quoted in a Forbes.com article on Implant Sciences (OTCBB – IMSC - $1.60), a former sponsored research profiled stock. We were caught off guard as we have not written about the company in some time. As a result, we received a number of inquiries. Rest assured, we will attempt to get back to the firm and look into the publication of an update. IMSC has done very well since our original profiles and is in an exciting space. The columnist’s piece on IMSC can be viewed here: Until next week… Analyst: Robert Goldman Analyst Certification Disclaimer It is important to note that while we may track performance separately, we utilize the same coverage criteria in determining coverage of all stocks in both research formats. Please view the company’s individual disclosures for each engagement, which can be found in each company-specific report. All information contained in this newsletter and in our reports were provided by the Companies or generated from our own due diligence. Our analysts are responsible only to the public, and are paid in advance to eliminate pecuniary interests, retain editorial control, and ensure independence. Analysts are compensated on a per report basis and not on the basis of his/her recommendations. The information used and statements of fact made have been obtained from sources considered reliable but we neither guarantee nor represent the completeness or accuracy. 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