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How fast and how big? — Week of September 18, 2023

mountain and blue bonnets

The supply of money


 Essential Economics

 — Mark Frears

 

Are we there yet?

Every day, as I get on the road home, I must prepare myself. Will this be a race day, or a take-it-easy day? I can very easily get caught up in “beat the next car,” weaving in and out until I reach the next backup and then I am sitting right next to the car I so desperately wanted to pass. If I am in the right frame of mind, I can listen to my audiobook, cruise along and get home in a much better place. Sounds easy; but it’s not. Just like your car, bike, boat or plane, money can go fast or slow.  

Money supply

The Federal Reserve measures the amount of money at various degrees of liquidity, or spendability, and prior to 2000 these measures were watched closely as they correlated well with economic activity. Since then, it is still watched due to the influence the amount of and speed that money moves can have on the overall economy.  

The M1 category measures the most liquid forms, primarily currency and readily available deposits in banks. M2 is M1 plus savings accounts, smaller time deposits, and balances in retail money market mutual funds. This is considered the best measure to watch, as it covers a broad spectrum of money that can have an influence on the economy.

M2 line graph 2002 to 2023

Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (US)

As you can see from the chart above, the amount of money in the M2 category increased up to the 2020 pandemic shutdown then continued the climb as liquidity was provided. It is only as we have entered quantitative tightening that we have slowed down the growth, at least moderately.

“I feel the need, the need for speed.”

We talked about the speed of my car; now let’s look at how that relates to money. The velocity is defined as the rate at which money is exchanged in the economy. The number of times one unit of money is spent to buy goods and services per unit of time.  

Velocity of M2 Money Stock line graph from 2002 to 2023

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis

As you would expect, the velocity slows during the pandemic shutdown shown in the shaded areas above. Right after the recent pandemic shutdown, due to stimulus provided to the economy, we see the speed increase. After the initial increase, you will see a slowing. The primary driver of this lower velocity is the increasing amount of money in the system. This relationship is dependent upon the value of money remaining stable, as it has. 

Since the last recession, we have seen velocity take an upward turn. This is reflective of less money in the system and the economy still ticking along.

Pace

If you combine supply with velocity (inversely related to demand), you get the graph below. The faster supply growth relative to demand can be seen in the period after the last recession in a steeper line below.  

Combined supply with velocity line graph (M2 Money Stock*M2) line graph from 2002 to 20022

Source: St. Louis Fed Board of Governors

One of the concerns of monetarists is that the accelerated growth rate of supply relative to demand could cause inflationary tendencies. As this shows, the amount of money poured into the system after the pandemic is still causing inflation. Too much money chasing too few goods.  

As always, when you must look at the broader picture, inflation has peaked as indicated by Consumer Price Index and Personal Consumption Expenditures. The level of inflation is still a concern, so the Fed and Money Supply will continue to be kept top-of-mind.

Market impact

We saw the contracting money supply in the first chart above and this is an indicator of coming economic slowing. While this helps with fighting inflation, it generally has an input on corporate profits, as you can see below. 

M2 Money Growth & Corporate Profits line graph from 2001 to 2022

Source: Strategas Research

As a follow-through, this will hit Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as seen below.

M2 Money Growth & Nominal GDP Growth line graph from 2000 to 2022

Source: Strategas Research

While money supply is an “old school” metric and doesn’t get the attention it used to, it is still a very important tool with regards to inflation and the economy.

Economic releases

Last week’s calendar was loaded with inflation news. CPI and PPI both came in higher than last month on a year-over-year basis. UM inflation picture was lower, even considering higher gas prices.

This week we turn to housing and the Wednesday FOMC meeting. No rate move expected but they will be updating their quarterly projections for growth and inflation. See below for details.

Wrap-Up

So, at whatever pace you are traveling, remember to keep in mind that the journey is just as important as the destination.

  Upcoming Economic Releases: Period Expected Previous
18-Sep

NY Fed Services Business Activity

Sep N/A 0.6 
18-Sep NAHB Housing Market Index Sep 49  50 
         
19-Sep Building Permits Aug 1,440,000  1,442,000 
19-Sep Building Permits MoM Aug -0.2% 0.1%
19-Sep Housing Starts Aug 1,437,000  1,452,000 
19-Sep Housing Starts MoM Aug -1.0% 3.9%
         
20-Sep FOMC Rate Decision (Upper Bound) 1p CT 5.50% 5.50%
20-Sep FOMC Rate Decision (Lower Bound) 1p CT 5.25% 5.25%
         
21-Sep Initial Jobless Claims 16-Sep 225,000  220,000 
21-Sep Continuing Claims 9-Sep 1,695,000  1,688,000 
21-Sep Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Sep (1.0) 12.0 
21-Sep Existing Home Sales Aug 4,100,000  4,070,000 
21-Sep Existing Home Sales MoM Aug 0.7% -2.2%
21-Sep Leading Index Aug -0.5% -0.4%
         
22-Sep S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI Sep 48.2  47.9 
22-Sep S&P Global US Services PMI Sep 50.6  50.5 
22-Sep S&P Global US Composite PMI Sep 50.3  50.2 

Mark Frears is a Senior Investment Advisor, Managing Director, at Texas Capital Bank Private Wealth Advisors. He holds a Bachelor of Science from The University of Washington, and an MBA from University of Texas – Dallas.

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