BondTrader_IHB
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<strong>Deficits projected to jump sharply (maybe too sharply)</strong>
The budget deficit is projected to jump to $1,752 billion this fiscal year and to stay
above $1 trillion through 2011. However, the figure for this fiscal year includes
$250bn as a ?placeholder? for additional ?financial stabilization efforts.? However,
as the administration notes that there are no plans to ask for more funds, this
figure likely overstates the true expected deficit which would be closer to their
baseline estimate of $1,509bn (versus our expectation of $1,350bn). Our deficit
projection of $1,250bn for fiscal year 2010 is close to the administration?s
estimate of $1,171bn. However, although we see the near-term administration
deficit estimates as pessimistic, we see their forecast beyond 2011 as optimistic.
Under the budget estimates provided, which assume that estimates for the cost of
universal health care are correct, government outlays as a percent of GDP would
grow from the long-term average of 20.7% to 22.6%. This 22.6% average for
2010-2019 represents the highest level of outlays as a percent of GDP since
1985 (the average for the 1980s was 22.2%). The era of big government has
returned. The new limitation on deductions for taxpayers earning over $250,000
could have a significant negative impact on growth and could forestall the
economic recovery which we believe will still be in its early stages when these
taxes take effect. In addition to the consumption effect, limiting deductions would
raise the after-tax costs of buying a home, placing additional pressure on the
housing market.
<strong>Relentless declines in home prices continue</strong>
The Case-Shiller home price index for the 20 largest US cities fell by 2.5% M/M in
December, for the 29th consecutive monthly decline. This was in line with BASML
expectations but slightly worse than consensus estimates. Relative to a year
ago, prices fell by 18.6%, while the three-month annualized change was a
steeper drop at 24.5%. Deflation intensified across all markets, bringing the total
decline to -27.0% relative to the peak in July 2006. Indeed, all 20 markets fell for
the fourth straight month. Markets that have been hardest hit by pervasive subprime
lending also reported the largest monthly and annual declines in
December. The National Association of Realtors reported that 45% of existing
sales over the month were foreclosure related, specifically citing activity in
California, Nevada and Arizona. Such properties, selling at steep discounts,
continue to drive prices lower, as was seen in the sharper declines reported in
Phoenix (-5.1% M/M and -34% Y/Y), Las Vegas (-4.8% M/M and -33% Y/Y) and
San Francisco (-3.8% M/M and -31.2% Y/Y).
National home prices (which are only released quarterly by Case-Shiller) in the
4Q fell by 7.2% versus the 3Q, or -26% at a quarterly annualized rate. This
compares to a lighter 13.3% annualized quarterly drop in 3Q and reflects a
marked acceleration in the pace of decline. Clearly, a broader number of
markets are sharing the pain as the economic downturn weighs on sales and
foreclosure sales grab more of the activity. Relative to the peak in mid-2006,
the national index is now down by 21%. Depressed demand, tight credit, rising
default rates and excess inventories can be expected to continue to lead prices
lower in the quarters ahead. We estimate that an additional 15%-20% in
downside is still in store.
The budget deficit is projected to jump to $1,752 billion this fiscal year and to stay
above $1 trillion through 2011. However, the figure for this fiscal year includes
$250bn as a ?placeholder? for additional ?financial stabilization efforts.? However,
as the administration notes that there are no plans to ask for more funds, this
figure likely overstates the true expected deficit which would be closer to their
baseline estimate of $1,509bn (versus our expectation of $1,350bn). Our deficit
projection of $1,250bn for fiscal year 2010 is close to the administration?s
estimate of $1,171bn. However, although we see the near-term administration
deficit estimates as pessimistic, we see their forecast beyond 2011 as optimistic.
Under the budget estimates provided, which assume that estimates for the cost of
universal health care are correct, government outlays as a percent of GDP would
grow from the long-term average of 20.7% to 22.6%. This 22.6% average for
2010-2019 represents the highest level of outlays as a percent of GDP since
1985 (the average for the 1980s was 22.2%). The era of big government has
returned. The new limitation on deductions for taxpayers earning over $250,000
could have a significant negative impact on growth and could forestall the
economic recovery which we believe will still be in its early stages when these
taxes take effect. In addition to the consumption effect, limiting deductions would
raise the after-tax costs of buying a home, placing additional pressure on the
housing market.
<strong>Relentless declines in home prices continue</strong>
The Case-Shiller home price index for the 20 largest US cities fell by 2.5% M/M in
December, for the 29th consecutive monthly decline. This was in line with BASML
expectations but slightly worse than consensus estimates. Relative to a year
ago, prices fell by 18.6%, while the three-month annualized change was a
steeper drop at 24.5%. Deflation intensified across all markets, bringing the total
decline to -27.0% relative to the peak in July 2006. Indeed, all 20 markets fell for
the fourth straight month. Markets that have been hardest hit by pervasive subprime
lending also reported the largest monthly and annual declines in
December. The National Association of Realtors reported that 45% of existing
sales over the month were foreclosure related, specifically citing activity in
California, Nevada and Arizona. Such properties, selling at steep discounts,
continue to drive prices lower, as was seen in the sharper declines reported in
Phoenix (-5.1% M/M and -34% Y/Y), Las Vegas (-4.8% M/M and -33% Y/Y) and
San Francisco (-3.8% M/M and -31.2% Y/Y).
National home prices (which are only released quarterly by Case-Shiller) in the
4Q fell by 7.2% versus the 3Q, or -26% at a quarterly annualized rate. This
compares to a lighter 13.3% annualized quarterly drop in 3Q and reflects a
marked acceleration in the pace of decline. Clearly, a broader number of
markets are sharing the pain as the economic downturn weighs on sales and
foreclosure sales grab more of the activity. Relative to the peak in mid-2006,
the national index is now down by 21%. Depressed demand, tight credit, rising
default rates and excess inventories can be expected to continue to lead prices
lower in the quarters ahead. We estimate that an additional 15%-20% in
downside is still in store.