Two positive headlines stood out yesterday for those interested in trends that matter in supporting the consumer and therefore the real economy:
1. U.S. crude production has climbed to the highest level in more than 15 years just as fuel consumption has decreased. QE-inflated commodity and energy prices have served their usual incentive in prodding producers to find more supply just as they have forced consumers to conserve and substitute. Central bankers have focused on inflating asset prices, but eventually real demand always forces prices to recouple with reality. The excess reserves and record production today will be helpful in lowering prices as the consumer-led US economy struggles to find its new equilibrium in the “post-credit bubble” slow-growth world. See: Oil tumbles as crude production surges to 15-year high.
2. US mortgage prepayment rates soared to the highest in seven years as homeowners are taking advantage of the lowest borrowing costs on record to refinance. 30 year mortgage rates that were 5.05% a year ago last week declined to 3.4% and most importantly, consumers seem focused on refinancing to pay down the debt rather than to gut equity and spend more as they did in the credit bubble. Home loans were repaid in August at a pace that will erase 25 percent of the debt in a year. This is a good thing for re-building the financial strength and equity of US consumers. See: Mortgage prepayment rate hits highest level since 2005
Both of these developments are good for the longer-term health of the consumer, but negative for short-term demand and companies and analysts banking on record earnings to continue unabated.
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