July 25, 2024 | Premium Service | As we slowly make our way through Q2 2024 earnings, the big question in the minds of investors and political candidates is the economy. The Federal Open Market Committee is happy to see the economy slow ever so slowly, one major reason why the Committee is unlikely to cut rates in 2024. Nearly half of CFO's in survey done by PNC's Gus Faucher see NO cuts this year, reports Kathleen Hays.
Metaphors about soft landings for wayward spacecraft are not particularly useful, however, given some of the indicators for consumer credit visible in the results from CapitalOne Financial (COF) and PennyMac Financial Services (PFSI).
The chart below shows the relative performance of COF and PFSI, with the latter clearly leading the way in terms of total equity returns over the past five years. Along with Mr. Cooper (COOP), PFSI has consistently built tangible book value for its shareholders as it has grown its mortgage servicing book, a remarkable comparison with COF.