Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/164142
in foc us trending A turning point? Real estate, other sectors uncertain as stimulus ends A s the economy continues to show signs of improvement, 69 percent of key market sectors are expanding, 19 percent remain stable and 12 percent are contracting, according to clearTREND Research, developed by The Appleton Group LLC. clearTREND offers monthly market analysis and research on Northeast Wisconsin's key economic sectors, identifying turning points for individual stocks, economic sectors, mutual funds and market indices. This month we highlight the Real Estate sector, which is currently experiencing significantly more deterioration than other sectors. We also feature the Shipping & Logistics sector, key employment sectors in the greater Sheboygan community, as well as select publicly-traded companies headquartered in Wisconsin. Additional charts show the confidence index in U.S. sectors as well as overseas markets. "While still generally good, the data shows an uptick in contracting sectors across the country," says Mark Scheffler of The Appleton Group. "It's all about the future of the Fed stimulus in propping up the markets. Will they continue to 'charge' ahead clearTREND U.S. Economic Health Index: This index measures more than 130 unique U.S. market sectors to determine how many are expanding, stable, or contracting. More than 50% of expanding sectors are healthy, while less than 50% are not. with their plan to re-inflate the economy or will they begin the uncertain and potentially painful process of tapering back? The weakness we're seeing in the commercial real estate sector (down by nearly 20% since mid-May) is an indication that the end of stimulus could spell the end of the recovery. Identifying and reacting to key turning points in the economy can help, especially in a market environment artificially inflated by stimulus, low interest rates and the promise of future growth." Sector Focus Real Estate: Industry Leaders (Publicly Traded) Ticker Trend Began Confidence Duke Realty Corp. Description DRE 8/7/13 87.50% General Growth Properties Inc. (Old) GGP 8/8/13 91.04% HCP Inc. (Health Care Properties) HCP 6/19/13 82.24% Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. HST 7/18/13 81.19% National Retail Properties Inc. NNN 7/5/13 84.06% Realty Income Corp. O 8/1/13 90.00% Simon Property Group Inc. SPG 1/23/13 82.91% STWD 8/1/13 90.91% Starwood Property Trust Inc. Shipping & Logistics: Industry Leaders (Publicly Traded) Description C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. Ticker Trend Began Confidence CHRW 8/13/13 83.33% CSX Corp. CSX8/2/1378.93% Diana Containerships Inc. DCIX 8/6/13 73.68% Fedex Corp. FDX 6/24/13 81.28% Global Ship Lease Inc. GSL 7/31/13 82.98% Stable: 19% 69% Expanding: 69% JBHT 7/9/13 86.08% Norfolk Southern Corp. NSC 7/25/13 78.70% Contracting: 12% J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. United Parcel Service Inc. UPS 7/31/13 79.75% Sheboygan - Top Employment Sectors Description Trend Began Confidence Index 8/1/13 76.67% Broadline Retailers Sector 12/28/12 99.00% Building Materials & Fixtures Sector 10/19/11 99.00% Containers & Packaging Sector 12/12/12 80.65% Food Producers Sector 8/17/12 94.34% Health Care Sector 7/23/13 91.30% Insurance Sector 12/26/12 86.21% Paper Sector 7/30/13 83.33% Recreational Services Sector 5/8/13 93.33% Fair Good Excellent Data as of July 18, 2013 Poor Aluminum Sector Key: = uptrend = downtrend Ticker = trading symbol (individual securities only) Trend Began = date on which current trend was identified Confidence = clearTREND's historic success rate in generating capital gains based on accurate trend identification 50 | Insight • S e p t e m b e r 2 013 w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m