DOW JONES FUNDAMENTALFORECAST: BULLISH
- Dow Jones[1] gained 11.4% while the Nasdaq[2] 100 fell 0.2% since early February
- Rising commodity prices sent the 5-year breakeven inflation rate to a 13-year high
- Reflation hopes may continue to buoy Dow Jones as the US and Europe prepare to ease lockdowns
The reflation theme appears to have returned to center stage, encouraging investors to rotate away from pandemic winners and into cyclical sectors such as energy, materials and financials. Investors applauded reopening optimism as parts of the Unites States and Europe prepare to ease Covid-related lockdown measures. Meanwhile, the 5-year breakeven inflation rate hit a 13-year high as commodity prices continued to rise, underscoring supply shortages and pent-up demand.
The US aims to have 70% of adults vaccinated before July 4th. A positive vaccine outlook may dent demand for digital products and services, enticing profit-taking in some of the world’s largest technology companies such as Apple, Amazon and Netflix. The upcoming summer driving season may further boost physical demand for fuel, hotels, cars and entertainment.Against this backdrop, the Dow Jones Industrial Average may continue to outperform the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 as the economy moves towards normalization.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 11.4% since early February while the Nasdaq 100 index fell 0.2% during the same period (chart below). This makes perfect sense in the context of a return-to-normal earnings boost for brick-and-mortal businesses at the expense of digital services.
Dow Jones vs. Nasdaq 100 – February to May 2021
Chart created with TradingView
Reflation hopes and robust demand sent commodity prices to their highest level since 2011, according to an index compiled by Bloomberg. The gauge comprises a wide range of energy, metal and agricultural products. The 5-year breakeven rate, a proxy of bond
