2018 Business Forecast, Volume VII, Issue 2 by Stanislaus State

2018

MIDYEAR UPDATE

San Joaquin Valley

BUSINESS FORECAST

Emerging Trends in the

VALLEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ECONOMY

Table of Contents

Contributors .................................................................. 1

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY BUSINESS FORECAST csustan.edu/sjvbf

Executive Summary ....................................................2

Volume VII, Issue 2 Gรถkรงe Soydemir, Ph.D.

Introduction ................................................................. 3 Employment Indicators............................................. 4 Housing Sector ...........................................................14

One University Circle Turlock, CA 95382

Inflation and Prices....................................................16 Banking and Capital Markets .................................18 Concluding Remarks ............................................... 20 Index ............................................................................. 21

We wish to thank Foster Farms for generously providing the endowment for this project.

Contributors

Gรถkรงe Soydemir, Ph.D.

Tomas Gomez-Arias, Ph.D.

Katrina Kidd

Abdulla Mammadsoy

Foster Farms Endowed Professor of Business Economics

Dean, College of Business Administration

Annhenrie Campbell, Ph.D.

David Lindsay, Ph.D.

Scott Davis, Ph.D.

Chair, Department of Accounting and Finance

Professor, Accounting and Finance

Professor, English

Student Assistant

Dylan Osborne

Ethan Kim

Tyra Hampton

Claudia Torres

Ryan Tracy

Carmen Garcia

Diamelle Abalos

Rosalee Rush

Kristina Stamper

Brian VanderBeek

Steve Caballero

Director, MBA Programs

Student Assistant

Director for Communications & Creative Services

Student Assistant

Senior Writer & Content Specialist

Administrative Analyst

Student Assistant

Administrative Support Coordinator

Student Assistant

Senior Associate Vice President for Communications, Marketing and Media Relations

Senior Graphic Designer

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 1

Executive Summary Following several years of gradual expansion, total employment in the San Joaquin Valley appears to be hovering near its peak level of 1.70 million, representing a slowdown in growth that began in 2016 and continued into 2018. A decline in total employment is not likely to begin soon, but there is evidence pointing to this slowdown in almost all categories of employment. Inflation has risen to a yearly rate of 3.1 percent and is a concern for the Federal Reserve, which is likely to continue its pattern of hiking interest rates about every three months to cool off the economy. Attempts to tame inflation, however, will run counter to tax cuts and increased government spending, which is an effort to improve the infrastructure of the national economy. Thus, it is not surprising to see behavior at the regional level that reflects, to some degree, the offsetting effects of monetary and fiscal policy. Regions such as the Valley, however, are likely to suffer more from interest rates hikes than other well-developed regions. In addition, the tax cuts will not have the same benefit to Valley consumers because of higher unemployment rates, home prices, and the unskilled/ skilled composition ratio of the workforce. It is a wellknown economic principle that when individuals know with certainty their income will increase in the future, they will start spending more today. This behavior on the part of the Valley consumer, however, has not yet begun to take place following the announcement of tax cuts. Projections point to an average yearly growth of 0.75 percent in Valley total employment over the next two years. This is noteworthy because the yearly growth in total employment in 2017 was 0.90 percent, which fell below the long-term average rate of 1.18 percent for the first time since the end of the recessionary years. While job growth in the Valley lagged overall, Stanislaus County — for the first time — led the region in job growth at 1.93 percent, followed by Madera and Fresno counties at 1.82 and 1.16 percent, respectively. Stanislaus County employment normally grows at about the same rate as the Valley average. Kern and Kings counties were the only ones that grew marginally faster in 2017 than in 2016. Total employment growth was slower in 2017 than in 2016 for all other counties. Average yearly growth in Kern and Kings registered 0.21 and 0.07 percent, respectively, in 2017. Over the same period, San Joaquin County employment grew 0.57 percent, while Merced and Tulare counties grew 0.53 and 1.06 percent, respectively. Information employment was the only category that posted a decline in 2017. While all other categories of employment

2 | Stanislaus State

grew in 2017, construction and manufacturing employment were the only sectors to grow faster in 2017 than in 2016. Construction was the fastest-growing category of employment in 2017. The slow-down in growth was most visible in those employment categories that are relatively more sensitive to changes in interest rates, such as retail trade and leisure and hospitality services employment. Valley home prices grew by 8.27 percent in 2017, a higher pace than in the previous two years. However, given the increasing pattern in long-term interest rates, projections point to slower growth over the next two years. About the same number of housing permits were issued in 2017 as in the previous year, which, as an important leading indicator, points to slower growth in the months ahead. Rate hikes, combined with tax cuts and infrastructure spending, are likely to have mixed effects on the dollar. While tax cuts will tend to depreciate the dollar, rate hikes tend to have the opposite effect. As such, it appears that the preference of the current administration is to maintain a weak dollar. Rising inflation is another factor that would put further pressure on the dollar to depreciate. The weak dollar will improve the Valley’s exports of agricultural goods, however, Valley consumers will see a further decrease in their purchasing power from the higher price of imported goods. Newly imposed tariffs on China may increase the domestic price of steel and induce a retaliatory response, negatively affecting almond and other agricultural exports. Toward the end of 2017, the inflation rate stayed above 3.0 percent for three consecutive months — a similar to what occurred just prior to the recessionary years. In 2017, the price of oil continued to climb, putting cost-push pressure along with wages to further raise the rate of inflation. Rising inflation and wages are important factors behind the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep increasing interest rates. Projections point to successful implementation of Federal Reserve policies to tame inflation and achieve price stability. As expected, foreclosure starts began climbing back up as the increase in long-term interest rates became very visible. Non-accruals of community banks in the Valley also began displaying similar increases. Valley bank deposits, net loans and leases all rose at a slower pace in 2017 and are projected to maintain this pace over the next two years. Given the mixed effects on the national front, the Valley economy is projected to maintain a slower pace in the year ahead due to the faster impact of the financial markets, and slightly improve in 2019 as a result of the effect of tax cuts on the goods markets of the overall economy, thus exhibiting oscillatory behavior around the newly attained peak.

Introduction This report, now in its eighth year, has benefited greatly from its chosen broad focus on the San Joaquin Valley. Each edition has garnered increasing attention from private and government constituencies from throughout the Valley, and this attention would not have occurred had the report maintained a single-county focus. The long-term data in this report spans January 2001 through March 2018. The medium-term forecasts span from July 2018 to June 2020. The yearly averages reported in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition are from the full 12 months of 2017, including preliminary values for December 2017. The remainder of this report is organized as follows: First we provide a discussion of San Joaquin Valley labor market condition, followed by an examination of the Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real estate market. We then cover prices and inflation and finish with a look at banking and capital market indicators.

San Joaquin Valley San Joaquin Madera Stanislaus

Fresno

Merced

Tulare Kings

Kern

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 3

Employment Indicators 2018 is a unique year. The impact of the tax cuts on the economy will occur in the midst of continued rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, predicted to occur just about every three months. These two aggregate demand management tools will have mixed effects on the Valley economy. While tax cuts serve to increase aggregate demand, rate hikes tend to do just the opposite. Further, financial markets have a quicker impact on the overall economy than do the goods markets. Because there are more unemployed people, the positive effect of the tax cuts will be felt relatively less in the Valley, and due to the unskilled nature of the workforce, the negative effect of the rate hikes will be higher. Tariffs, along with retaliatory effects, will have a disproportionate impact on Valley’s farm-related exports, such as almonds, and worsen the purchasing power of the region’s consumers due to higher prices of retail goods related to the steel industry.

Information employment was the only category that posted a decline in 2017. u All categories of employment — with the exception of construction employment — grew, but at a slower pace in 2017 than in 2016. Construction was the fastest growing category of employment in 2017, followed by manufacturing employment. The slow in growth was most visible in those employment categories relatively more sensitive to changes in interest rates, such as retail trade and leisure and hospitality services employment.

4 | Stanislaus State

1,800,000 1,750,000

Number of Employees

1,700,000 1,650,000 1,600,000 1,550,000 1,500,000 1,450,000 1,400,000 1,350,000 1,300,000

2001M01 2001M06 2001M11 2002M04 2002M09 2003M02 2003M07 2003M12 2004M05 2004M10 2005M03 2005M08 2006M01 2006M06 2006M11 2007M04 2007M09 2008M02 2008M07 2008M12 2009M05 2009M10 2010M03 2010M08 2011M01 2011M06 2011M11 2012M04 2012M09 2013M02 2013M07 2013M12 2014M05 2014M10 2015M03 2015M08 2016M01 2016M06 2016M11 2017M04 2017M09 2018M02 2018M07 2018M12 2019M05 2019M10 2020M03

Total employment grew in all Valley counties, but at slower speeds than in 2016. Stanislaus County posted the fastest growth in 2017 u at 1.93 percent. This figure contrasts previous years, when growth in Stanislaus County was nearly identical to the Valley’s average yearly growth. Kern and Kings were the only counties that added jobs marginally faster in 2017 than in 2016. At this slower pace of growth, total employment in the San Joaquin Valley is still projected to reach 1,750,000 in the second half of 2020.

Total Employment

Months Actual

Projected

Total Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth Average Percentage Change

EMPLOYMENT IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY IS STILL PROJECTED TO REACH 1,750,000 IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2020.

2.00%

1.77%

1.80% 1.60%

1.39%

1.40% 1.20%

1.18% 0.9%

1.00% 0.80% 0.60%

0.75% 0.63% 0.51%

1.01% 0.88% 0.75%

0.40% 0.20% 0.00%

Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

2017 Average

Most Likely

Pessimistic

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

140

Index Value

120 100 80 60 40 20

9/15/1992 3/15/1993 9/15/1993 3/15/1994 9/15/1994 3/15/1995 9/15/1995 3/15/1996 9/15/1996 3/15/1997 9/15/1997 3/15/1998 9/15/1998 3/15/1999 9/15/1999 3/15/2000 9/15/2000 3/15/2001 9/15/2001 3/15/2002 9/15/2002 3/15/2003 9/15/2003 3/15/2004 9/15/2004 3/15/2005 9/15/2005 3/15/2006 9/15/2006 3/15/2007 9/15/2007 3/15/2008 9/15/2008 3/15/2009 9/15/2009 3/15/2010 9/15/2010 3/15/2011 9/15/2011 3/15/2012 9/15/2012 3/15/2013 9/15/2013 3/15/2014 9/15/2014 3/15/2015 9/15/2015 3/15/2016 9/15/2016 3/15/2017 42993

Months Conference Board

Labor Force vs. Employment Growth 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5

2002M01 2002M05 2002M09 2003M01 2003M05 2003M09 2004M01 2004M05 2004M09 2005M01 2005M05 2005M09 2006M01 2006M05 2006M09 2007M01 2007M05 2007M09 2008M01 2008M05 2008M09 2009M01 2009M05 2009M09 2010M01 2010M05 2010M09 2011M01 2011M05 2011M09 2012M01 2012M05 2012M09 2013M01 2013M05 2013M09 2014M01 2014M05 2014M09 2015M01 2015M05 2015M09 2016M01 2016M05 2016M09 2017M01 2017M05 2017M09

-6

Months Labor Force

Employment

Employment Growth: National and State vs. San Joaquin Valley 5.00% 4.00% 3.00% 2.00% 1.00% 0.00% -1.00% -2.00% -3.00% -4.00% -5.00% -6.00%

2002M01 2002M07 2003M01 2003M07 2004M01 2004M07 2005M01 2005M07 2006M01 2006M07 2007M01 2007M07 2008M01 2008M07 2009M01 2009M07 2010M01 2010M07 2011M01 2011M07 2012M01 2012M07 2013M01 2013M07 2014M01 2014M07 2015M01 2015M07 2016M01 2016M07 2017M01 2017M07

Employment growth across California continues to outpace the Valley. In the first half of 2017, the slowdown in growth was very visible in the Valley, while state employment growth continued to gain some speed. In the latter part of 2017, the Valley’s employment growth caught up with the state. In the coming months, however, growth in the two series is expected to slow, particularly in the Valley, as categories of employment such as retail and leisure and hospitality services begin to feel the continued effects of rising rates. u

160

Percentage Change from Previous Year

While both rates displayed a slowing trend in the first half of 2017, total employment grew at a faster pace than the labor force in the Valley. In the second half of 2017, employment growth gained some seasonal speed but still remained below the pace observed during the same interval in 2016. Given the mixed impact of monetary and fiscal policies and the vulnerable structure of the work force in the Valley, growth in employment will likely slow down, together with the labor force, consistent with peak level activity. u

Consumer Confidence Index

Annual Percentage Change

Such high index values of consumer confidence haven’t been observed since 2000. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index is an important leading indicator that signals future consumption plans of consumers. The steep trend has become flatter in the past few months, which — along with other indicators in the same direction — point to peak activity. Rising long-term interest rates are likely to dampen further the improving trend in consumer confidence during the second half of 2018 and onwards. u

Months

Series 1

Series 2

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 5

Employment Indicators

Our projection that the Valley’s education and health services employment would reach 215,000 by the second half of 2017 was accurate, and employment in this category is likely to reach 235,000 by the second u half of 2020. Education and health services employment grew at 3.27 percent in 2017, a pace slower than that of 2016, at 3.89 percent. This yearly growth in 2017 was about the same as the series’ long-term benchmark growth of 3.37 percent. Projections point to about the same speed of growth of 3.14 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2019, and 3.50 percent from the second half of 2019 to the first half of 2020.

6 | Stanislaus State

8.0

Percentage Change

6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 -1.0 -2.0 -6.0 -8.0

2000q1 2000q3 2001q1 2001q3 2002q1 2002q3 2003q1 2003q3 2004q1 2004q3 2005q1 2005q3 2006q1 2006q3 2007q1 2007q3 2008q1 2008q3 2009q1 2009q3 2010q1 2010q3 2011q1 2011q3 2012q1 2012q3 2013q1 2013q3 2014q1 2014q3 2015q1 2015q3 2016q1 2016q3 2017q1 2017q3 2018q1 2018q3 2019q1 2019q3 2020q1

-10.0

Quarters Actual

Projected

Education and Health Services Employment 235,000 215,000 195,000 175,000 155,000 135,000 115,000

2001M01 2001M09 2002M05 2003M01 2003M09 2004M05 2005M01 2005M09 2006M05 2007M01 2007M09 2008M05 2009M01 2009M09 2010M05 2011M01 2011M09 2012M05 2013M01 2013M09 2014M05 2015M01 2015M09 2016M05 2017M01 2017M09 2018M05 2019M01 2019M09 2020M05

OUR PROJECTION THAT THE VALLEY’S EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES EMPLOYMENT WOULD REACH 215,000 BY THE SECOND HALF OF 2017 WAS ACCURATE.

10.0

Number of Employees

When other categories of employment begin to display signs of slowing, the education and health services employment categories emerge as the better-performing indicators. Such a pattern occurs because growth in this category of employment is very stable over the years, showing little signs of fluctuation. Indeed, during the recessionary years, a pattern was observed in which all other categories performed less robustly than education and health services employment. We are seeing some signs of this pattern beginning to take place as the economy slows and hovers around the peak level. u

U.S. Real GDP Annual Growth

Months Actual

Projected

Education and Health Services Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 4.50%

Average Percentage Growth

Changes in regime-favoring protectionist measures in the U.S. will put downward pressure on net foreign income. If other countries retaliate, tariffs will lead to trade wars, causing loss of welfare for all parties involved. Consistent with a cooling economy, the real gross domestic product (RGDP) growth rate projections point to an average annual real economic growth of 2.05 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2020. u

3.89%

4.00% 3.50%

3.37%

3.27%

3.21%

3.00% 2.50%

3.34% 3.14% 2.95%

3.70% 3.50% 3.30%

2.00% 1.50% 1.00% 0.50% 0.00% Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

Pessimistic

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

The last time the Purchasing Managers Index of the Institute for Supply Management reported such high numbers was in 2011. The index value, now above 60, is another leading indicator for manufacturing activity and points to peak level activity. Nationwide, 2017 manufacturing employment grew at an average yearly rate of 0.07 percent. However, over the last three months of 2017 and the first three months of 2018 this average exhibited better u performance, increasing to 1.35 percent. At 0.01 percent, there was basically no growth in statewide manufacturing employment. The picture was not better over the last three months of 2017 and first three months of 2018. Compared to these numbers, the Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance in manufacturing employment is relatively significant.

Number of Employees

125,000 120,000 115,000 110,000 105,000 100,000 95,000

90,000

Months Actual

Projected

Manufacturing Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 1.60%

1.45%

1.40%

1.34%

1.20% 1.00%

0.80% 0.74% 0.67%

0.80% 0.60%

1.04% 0.96% 0.88%

0.40% 0.20% 0.00%

0.02% Sample Average

Actual

0.01% 2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

2017 Average

Most Likely

Pessimistic

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Purchasing Managers Index 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20

Jan-01 Jul-01 Jan-02 Jul-02 Jan-03 Jul-03 Jan-04 Jul-04 Jan-05 Jul-05 Jan-06 Jul-06 Jan-07 Jul-07 Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12 Jul-12 Jan-13 Jul-13 Jan-14 Jul-14 Jan-15 Jul-15 Jan-16 Jul-16 Jan-17 Jul-17 Jan-18

The Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual average rate of growth in manufacturing employment during 2017 was 1.34 percent mainly due to thirdparty distribution centers in cities such as Tracy and Fresno. The pace of growth was significantly greater than the long-term benchmark rate of 0.02 percent. Given the recent easing of some regulations u yet to materialize on the part of the new administration, some improvement is expected in this category of employment. Valley manufacturing employment is projected to grow at an average yearly rate of 0.85 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2020.

130,000

Average Percentage Change

When compared with the other dynamics, manufacturing employment did relatively better in 2017 than 2016. The series also displayed a pattern of increase consistent with the Purchasing Managers Index of u the Institute of Supply Management. The long-term benchmark of the series switched from negative to positive territory in 2017. The trend in employment levels in Valley manufacturing employment, apart from seasonal variations, is projected to reach 115,000 by the second half of 2020.

Manufacturing Employment

Index Value

MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT DID RELATIVELY BETTER IN 2017 THAN 2016.

Months Institute of Supply Management

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 7

Employment Indicators

Number of Employees

140,000

110,000 100,000

80,000

Months Actual

4.50%

4.00%

4.00% 3.50%

2.71%

3.00% 2.50% 2.00%

2.17%

1.50%

1.31%

1.00%

1.79% 1.52% 1.26%

2.72% 2.44% 2.15%

0.50% 0.00%

Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Pessimistic

Trade, Transportation and Utilities Employment 310,000 290,000 270,000 250,000 230,000 210,000 190,000

Months

Actual

8 | Stanislaus State

Projected

Leisure and Hospitality Services Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth

Number of Employees

Trade, transportation and utilities employment remained the second-fastest growing u category in 2016. Employment levels are projected to reach 290,000 by the first half of 2019. Growth in 2016 was slower than 2015, about twice the long-term benchmark growth of 1.70 percent.

120,000

90,000

290,000 PROJECTED TRADE, TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES EMPLOYMENT LEVELS TO REACH 290,000 BY THE FIRST HALF OF 2019.

130,000

The average yearly growth of 1.31 percent in 2017 came below the seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; long-term benchmark rate of 2.17 percent for the first time since the end of the recessionary years. In the coming months, growth in this category is projected to slow further, particularly if high inflation rates persist and interest rates continue to rise. Projections point to an u average yearly growth of 1.52 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2019, and 2.44 percent from the second half of 2019 to the first half of 2020, when marginal improvement from tax cuts become more visible in the goods and services market.

Leisure and Hospitality Services Employment

Annual Growth

Leisure and hospitality services employment was one of the categories first affected by rising rates. The growth in 2017 at 1.31 percent in this category was half the rate of 2.71 percent in 2016. At this slower pace, leisure and hospitality services employment is expected to exceed 130,000 by the first half of 2020. Statewide growth in leisure and hospitality services employment at 2.70 percent was faster than in 2017, pointing to the more vulnerable nature of the Valley to indicators such as the movement in interest rates. u

Projected

Benchmark growth in retail trade employment now stands lower at 1.22 percent. The growth in 2017 of 1.32 percent came very close to this benchmark rate. Further rate hikes will almost undoubtedly bring the growth below the benchmark rate for the first time since the end of the recession. Projections point to an average annual growth of 1.03 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2019, and 0.82 percent from the second half of 2019 to the first half of 2020. u

5.04%

Average Growth

5.00% 4.00%

3.32%

3.00% 2.00%

1.48%

1.70%

2.26% 1.96% 1.66%

2.79% 2.46% 2.13%

1.00% 0.00%

Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Pessimistic

Retail Trade Employment 190,000 180,000 170,000 160,000 150,000 140,000 130,000 120,000 110,000 100,000

BENCHMARK GROWTH IN RETAIL TRADE EMPLOYMENT NOW STANDS LOWER AT 1.22%.

6.00%

Number of Employees

The Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retail trade employment no longer is the fastest growing category of employment, as was the case a few years ago. Dropping from first to second-from-last in speed of growth, retail trade employment was the category most vulnerable to the increase in interest rates. Rising borrowing costs and credit card rates have led to cutbacks in consumption and employment in this category. At this slower pace, retail trade is expected to reach a lower level of 160,000 by the first half of 2020. u

Trade, Transportation and Utilities Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth

Months Actual

Projected

Retail Trade Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 3.00%

2.72%

2.71%

2.50%

Annual Growth

The trend in this category continued to flatten in 2017. Average yearly growth in trade, transportation and utilities employment, at 1.48 percent, was less than half the 2016 rate of 3.32 percent. Projections point to an average yearly growth of 1.96 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2019, and 2.46 percent from the first half of 2019 to the second half of 2020. u

2.00% 1.50%

1.32%

1.22%

1.00%

1.17% 1.03% 0.89%

0.93% 0.82% 0.71%

0.50% 0.00%

Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Pessimistic

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 9

Employment Indicators Wholesale Trade Employment 55,000

Number of Employees

50,000 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000

WATER STORAGE ISSUES REMAIN A REAL PROBLEM TO OVERCOME IN THE LONG-RUN.

Valley information employment continued to worsen in 2017. Statewide, improvement in information employment was very small, growing only 0.58 percent in 2017. Nationwide, there was basically no improvement in information employment, with an average annual rate of 0.04 percent. Employment levels in this category will oscillate around 10,000 in the Valley, pointing to no significant improvement in the coming months. u

Months Actual

Projected

Wholesale Trade Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 3.00%

2.64%

Annual Growth

2.50% 2.00%

2.01%

2.39% 2.23% 2.07%

2.74% 2.59% 2.44%

1.50% 1.00%

0.51%

0.50% 0.00%

Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Pessimistic

Information Employment 17,000

Number of Employees

Valley wholesale trade employment grew at a slower pace in 2017 than 2016. At 2.01 percent, the annual yearly growth in 2017 was identical to the long-term benchmark rate. Recent rains have helped alleviate the impact of drought in the Valley, but water storage u issues remain a real problem to overcome in the long-run. Projections point to an average yearly growth of 2.41 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2020.

As wholesale trade employment began to recover from the drought years, seasonal variations once again started to become visible. Wholesale employment is expected to exceed 52,500 by the second half of 2020. As farm-related employment, wholesale u trade employment growth supersedes retail trade employment in the Valley. Thus, in 2017, consistent with this structural pattern, wholesale trade employment began to outpace retail trade employment, a pattern that was not observed during the drought years.

16,000 15,000 14,000 13,000 12,000 11,000 10,000

9,000

Months Actual

10 | Stanislaus State

Projected

Employment in this category is expected to reach 70,000 by the end of the second half of 2020. The long-term benchmark average yearly rate now stands higher at 0.63 percent. Growth at 6.46 percent was higher than both 2016 and 2015, during which employment in this category grew 2.19 and 4.34 percent, respectively. Projections point to an average annual growth of 4.58 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2019, and 3.38 percent from the first half of 2019 to the second half of 2020. u

1.19%

Annual Growth

1.00% 0.00% -1.00% -2.00% -3.00%

-2.14%

-0.83% -1.01% -1.20%

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

-3.37%

-4.00% -5.00% -6.00%

-2.07% -2.19% -2.41%

-5.64%

Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

2017 Average

Most Likely

Pessimistic

Construction Employment 95,000 85,000 75,000 65,000 55,000 45,000 35,000

Construction employment re-emerged as the fastest growing category of u employment in 2017. In 2016 and earlier, employment in this category had fallen from being the fastest-growing to the seventh-fastest growing category. Because of the mixed effects of ongoing rate hikes and deficit spending under an environment of lower taxes, construction employment in the Valley is expected to grow at a slower speed over the next two years.

2.00%

Number of Employees

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT RE-EMERGED AS THE FASTEST GROWING CATEGORY OF EMPLOYMENT IN 2017.

Information Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth

Months Actual

Projected

Construction Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 7.00%

6.46%

6.00%

Annual Growth

The decline in 2017 information employment at -3.37 percent was not as bad as the -5.64 percent in 2016, yet the decline was still greater than the long-term benchmark rate of -2.14 u percent. Considering that growth was non-existent in the state and nationwide, problems in this category cannot be entirely linked to workforce issues in the Valley. Projections point to a decline at -2.19 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2019, and at -1.01 percent from the second half of 2019 to the first half of 2020.

5.00%

5.02% 4.58% 4.13%

4.34%

4.00% 3.00%

3.78% 3.38% 2.99%

2.19%

2.00% 1.00% 0.00%

0.63% Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Pessimistic

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 11

Employment Indicators

44,000

315,000

Number of Employees

305,000

285,000 275,000 265,000 255,000 245,000 235,000

Months Actual

Projected

Government Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 4.00% 3.50%

3.39%

3.00%

2.62%

2.50%

2.00%

2.00% 1.50% 1.00%

1.87% 1.70% 1.53%

1.63% 1.49% 1.34%

0.86%

0.50% 0.00%

EMPLOYMENT LEVEL PROJECTED BY THE FIRST HALF OF 2020.

Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Pessimistic

Financial Activities Employment 51,000

Number of Employees

Growth in Valley financial activities employment slowed to 1.13 percent in 2017. Refinancing activities began to slow as interest rates rose further in 2017. Tax cuts are not u expected to benefit California and the Valley as much as at the national level due to the increasing price of homes in the region. At this slower pace, employment is projected to reach 44,000 by the first half of 2020.

295,000

Government employment is projected to reach 300,000 by the first half of 2020. Although growth in the category was slower in 2017 than in 2016, at a 2.00 percent average yearly rate, growth still came at more than the twice the rate of the long-term benchmark growth of 0.86 percent. Growth in government employment still is expected to slow further and to be more in line with other categories’ growth in the coming months. Projections point to an average yearly growth of 1.59 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2020. u

Government Employment

Annual Growth

At a 2.00 percent average yearly rate, government employment was the thirdfastest growing category. Government employment grew at a slower pace in 2017 than 2016, pointing to a slowdown as other categories of employment in the Valley. Such behavior u was expected, since government employment generally is a lagging indicator to the overall economy. Employment in this category makes up 20 percent of the Valley’s entire employment and is a main driver for the region’s economy.

49,000 47,000 45,000 43,000 41,000 39,000

37,000

Months Actual

12 | Stanislaus State

Projected

Financial Activities Employment: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 2.00%

Annual Growth

When the long-term benchmark rate of -0.15 percent of the series is taken into account, financial activities employment growth over the past three years was u relatively significant. Employment growth in this category, however, is expected to slow further in the coming months. Projections point to an average annual growth of 0.91 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2019, and 0.66 percent from the second half of 2019 to the first half of 2020.

1.62%

1.75%

1.50%

1.13%

1.00%

1.02% 0.91% 0.81%

0.77% 0.66% 0.55%

0.50% 0.00% -0.50%

-0.15% Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Pessimistic

ALL COUNTIES POSTED EMPLOYMENT GROWTH IN 2017. Ongoing rate hikes, imposed roughly every three months by the Federal Reserve to tame inflation, and the relatively disadvantaged position of the Valley along with California under the new tax cuts, likely will combine to have mixed effects on Valley employment levels. An initial slowdown in immediate response of financial markets to the rate hikes in the coming months is to be followed by the lagged effect of tax cuts on the goods markets. In this environment of mixed economic effects, total employment in Stanislaus County grew the fastest in 2017, followed by Madera and Fresno. All counties posted growth but at significantly varying speeds. Construction employment grew the fastest, followed by education and health services employment in the Valley. Information employment was the only category that posted a decline in employment.

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 13

Housing

4.63%

2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500

2004M01 2004M05 2004M09 2005M01 2005M05 2005M09 2006M01 2006M05 2006M09 2007M01 2007M05 2007M09 2008M01 2008M05 2008M09 2009M01 2009M05 2009M09 2010M01 2010M05 2010M09 2011M01 2011M05 2011M09 2012M01 2012M05 2012M09 2013M01 2013M05 2013M09 2014M01 2014M05 2014M09 2015M01 2015M05 2015M09 2016M01 2016M05 2016M09 2017M01 2017M05 2017M09 2018M01 2018M05 2018M09 2019M01 2019M05 2019M09

Months Actual

Single-Family Building Permits: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 14.00% 12.00% 10.00% 8.00% 6.00% 4.00% 2.00% 0.00% -2.00% -4.00% -6.00%

PROJECTED AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH OF SINGLE-FAMILY BUILDING PERMITS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS

13.08% 8.18%

5.78% 5.16% 4.55%

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

-3.68% Sample Average

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

Pessimistic

Foreclosure Starts in California 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

Months Mortgage Bankers Association of America

14 | Stanislaus State

4.68% 4.08% 3.49% 0.71%

Actual

Percentage

Foreclosure starts halted the declining pattern that existed since 2009, and began exhibiting a flat pattern from the first quarter of 2017. However, a small spike in the fourth quarter of 2017, followed by a slight upward pattern, suggests a turning point in foreclosure starts in late 2017. Due to higher long-term rates u and further increases on the way, this turning point is likely to be permanent rather than temporary. As an important leading indicator, foreclosure starts will likely increase more significantly over the next two-year period.

Projected

1993M11 1994M05 1994M11 1995M05 1995M11 1996M05 1994M11 1997M05 1997M11 1998M05 1998M11 1999M05 1999M11 2000M05 2000M11 2001M05 2001M11 2002M05 2002M11 2003M05 2003M11 2004M05 2004M11 2005M05 2005M11 2006M05 2006M11 2007M05 2007M11 2008M05 2008M11 2009M05 2009M11 2010M05 2010M11 2011M05 2011M11 2012M05 2012M11 2013M05 2013M11 2014M05 2014M11 2015M05 2015M11 2016M05 2016M11 2017M05 2017M11

With 1,915 single-family building permits issued, Bakersfield came in first, followed by Fresno, which issued 1,900 permits in 2017. Stockton came in third with 1,670 permits issued in 2017, followed by Visalia, which issued 1,138 permits. As in 2016, Hanford did not issue any permits in 2017, while only 27 permits were issued in Modesto. Madera and Merced issued 389 and 172 housing permits, respectively. Projections point to average annual growth of 4.63 percent in single-family building permits over the next two years. u

3,000

Number of Permits

About the same number of housing permits were issued in 2017 as in 2016. Consequently, the growth rate in housing permits in 2017 was very small, at 0.71 percent. Rising 30-year rates in 2017 was the main reason for the same amount of permits being issued u in 2017 as in 2016. Valley housing permits are expected to reach 750 permits per month by the end of the first half of 2020.

Single-Family Building Permits

Annual Growth

The eight Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) that make up the San Joaquin Valley include Bakersfield-Delano, Fresno, Hanford-Corcoran, Madera-Chowchilla, Merced, Modesto, Stockton and VisaliaPorterville. Housing indicators reflect the aggregated indicators belonging to these MSAs.

30-Year Fixed Rate 10 9 8

Percentage

Given higher-than-typical rates of inflation in the current economy, and the rising costs of production from higher wages and price of oil, the Federal Reserveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy of rate hikes is expected to continue for some time into the future. High interest rates will likely suppress demand more than the existing shortfall in supply to keep home prices rising further. Home values are projected to increase at a slower pace in the Valley in the coming two-year period.

1993M10 1994M03 1994M08 1995M01 1995M06 1995M11 1996M04 1996M09 1997M02 1997M07 1997M12 1998M05 1998M10 1999M03 1999M08 2000M01 2000M06 2000M11 2001M04 2001M09 2002M02 2002M07 2002M12 2003M05 2003M10 2004M03 2004M08 2005M01 2005M06 2005M11 2006M04 2006M09 2007M02 2007M07 2007M12 2008M05 2008M10 2009M03 2009M08 2010M01 2010M06 2010M11 2011M04 2011M09 2012M02 2012M07 2012M12 2013M05 2013M10 2014M03 2014M08 2015M01 2015M06 2015M11 2016M04 2016M09 2017M02 2017M07 2017M12

Months Freddie Mac

Percentage Change Over the Previous Year

Yearly Percentage Change in Housing Prices 40 30 20 10 0 -10 -20 -30 -40

Quarters Actual

Projected

Yearly Growth in Housing Prices: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 9.00%

Annual Yearly Growth

The fastest increases in home prices in 2017 were observed in Stockton at 9.97 percent, followed by Madera at 9.10 percent. Home prices increased at the slowest pace in Bakersfield at 4.27 percent and in Visalia at 6.54 percent. In Merced, home prices increased by 8.45 percent in 2017. Modesto saw an 8.87 percent increase in home prices. Valley home values are projected to increase at an average annual rate of 5.82 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2020. u

THE YEARLY PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN HOME PRICES IN THE VALLEY CONTINUED AT 8.27%. The yearly percentage increase in home prices in the Valley continued at 8.27 percent, higher than in 2016 and 2015. The average yearly rate of increase in 2016 was 6.60 percent, and in 2015 growth was slightly lower at 6.52 percent. The shortage in supply of housing is contributing to the increase in home prices. The growth in housing prices is expected to slow further, following the increase in mortgage rates, which will likely curtail the demand for housing more than the shortage in housing supply. u

30-year rates began climbing above 4.0 percent and sustained this rate more consistently than before. Inflation rates at sustained rates above 3.0 percent also point to further increases in long-term rates. When compared with the historical values since 2001, despite upward pressures on 30-year rates, current interest rates are still low, and those considering refinancing or purchasing homes should act now rather than later, when interest rates are likely to be much higher. u

8.27%

8.00% 7.00% 6.00% 5.00%

6.52%

6.60%

2015 Average

2016 Average

6.96% 6.36% 5.76%

4.92%

4.00%

5.90% 5.29% 4.68%

3.00% 2.00% 1.00% 0.00%

Sample Average

Actual

Optimistic

Most Likely

2017 Average

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Pessimistic

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 15

Inflation and Prices Inflation Rate: Nationwide vs. West 5.5 4.5

Yearly Inflation Rate

3.5 2.5 1.5 0.5 0 -0.5 -2 -2.5

2001M01 2001M07 2002M01 2002M07 2003M01 2003M07 2004M01 2004M07 2005M01 2005M07 2006M01 2006M07 2007M01 2007M07 2008M01 2008M07 2009M01 2009M07 2010M01 2010M07 2011M01 2011M07 2012M01 2012M07 2013M01 2013M07 2014M01 2014M07 2015M01 2015M07 2016M01 2016M07 2017M01 2017M07 2018M01

The yearly rate of inflation crept up to 3.1 percent and stayed at this high rate for three consecutive months toward the end of 2017. The increases in the overall price level were driven mainly by cost-push factors, such as wage increases and the rising price of oil. Recently imposed tax cuts and tariffs are likely to put added pressure on the inflation rate from the demand-pull side in the coming months. u

Months West

National

U.S. West Inflation Rate

The average yearly rate of inflation came out to 2.82 percent in 2017, higher than the 1.93 percent rate in 2016 and 1.34 percent in 2015. When these numbers are taken into account, it becomes very apparent that prices have u been rising steadily since 2015. Tax cuts at the national level are likely to put further upward pressure from the demand side on the rate of inflation, combined with cost-push pressures coming from wages, tariffs and the price of oil. The depreciating domestic currency is another factor increasing the price of imported goods and hence the rate of inflation.

16 | Stanislaus State

5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3

Since the second half of 2017, prices rose u significantly faster on the West Coast than at the national level. The inflation rate has been rising generally faster on the West Coast than the nation since the first quarter of 2015. The second quarter of 2011 was the last time such high inflation rates were observed on the West Coast. Achieving price stability is a major concern of the Federal Reserve, prompting further action to increase rates and prevent the economy from overheating.

Months Actual

Projected

U.S. West Inflation Rate: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth Yearly Percentage Change

THE INFLATION RATE HAS BEEN RISING GENERALLY FASTER ON THE WEST COAST.

Yearly Percentage Change

4.00% 3.50% 3.00%

2.82% 2.25%

1.93%

2.50% 2.00%

3.68% 3.48% 3.27%

3.12% 2.91% 2.69%

1.34%

1.50% 1.00% 0.50% 0.00%

Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

Pessimistic

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

The consecutive increases in the inflation rate, concurrent with the consecutive decreases in wage growth, means the purchasing power of the Valley consumer has been decreasing since 2015, despite these up and down fluctuations. Projections of the inflation rate and wages point to a u continuation of this trend corresponding to about a 1.0 percent loss in purchasing power every year from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2020. The divergent pattern is likely to give way to convergence in the two series over the coming months.

Average Weekly Wage

850 800 750 700 650 600 550 500 2001q1 2001q3 2002q1 2002q3 2003q1 2003q3 2004q1 2004q3 2005q1 2005q3 2006q1 2006q3 2007q1 2007q3 2008q1 2008q3 2009q1 2009q3 2010q1 2010q3 2011q1 2011q3 2012q1 2012q3 2013q1 2013q3 2014q1 2014q3 2015q1 2015q3 2016q1 2016q3 2017q1 2017q3 2018q1 2018q3 2019q1 2019q3 2020q1

450

Quarters

Actual

Projected

Weekly Wage Growth: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 4.50%

4.00%

4.00% 3.50% 3.00%

3.38% 2.82%

2.63%

2.50%

2.57% 2.36% 2.16%

2.00% 1.50%

2.00% 1.80% 1.61%

1.00% 0.50% 0.00%

Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

2017 Average

Most Likely

Pessimistic

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Yearly Wage Growth vs. Inflation 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 -2.0 -4.0

2002q1 2002q3 2003q1 2003q3 2004q1 2004q3 2005q1 2005q3 2006q1 2006q3 2007q1 2007q3 2008q1 2008q3 2009q1 2009q3 2010q1 2010q3 2011q1 2011q3 2012q1 2012q3 2013q1 2013q3 2014q1 2014q3 2015q1 2015q3 2016q1 2016q3 2017q1 2017q3

Consistent with an economy that is cooling off, wages are expected to rise slower than the rate of inflation. While there were consecutive yearly decreases in wage growth since 2015, inflation rates were simultaneously increasing every year since 2015. Projections point to an increase in average weekly wages at an annual rate of 2.08 percent over the next two years.

900

Average Yearly Growth

Average weekly wages rose 2.63 percent in 2017, which was slower than the 3.38 percent rate in 2016 and the 4.0 percent u rate in 2015. The 2017 increase in average weekly wages was roughly the same as the yearly rate of inflation 2.82 percent in 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; resulting in a 0.19 percent loss of purchasing power by the Valley consumer. Wages are projected to grow at a slower pace in the coming months, despite the effect of tax cuts.

Quarterly Average Weekly Wages

Average Percentage Change

For the first time since the end of the recession, the yearly rate of inflation at 2.82 percent in 2017 came in higher than the long-term rate of 2.25 percent. Added factors in 2018 that did not exist before that time are likely to put further pressure on the u inflation rate. Valley consumers are likely to feel the further decrease in their purchasing power in the coming months. Projections point to an average yearly increase of 3.48 percent during to 2018-19 interval, and 2.91 percent in the 2019-20 interval.

Quarters Inflation

Wage Growth

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 17

Banking and Capital Markets Total Bank Deposits (in $ Thousands) 16,000,000 14,000,000

Total Deposits

8,000,000

2003q1 2003q3 2004q1 2004q3 2005q1 2005q3 2006q1 2006q3 2007q1 2007q3 2008q1 2008q3 2009q1 2009q3 2010q1 2010q3 2011q1 2011q3 2012q1 2012q3 2013q1 2013q3 2014q1 2014q3 2015q1 2015q3 2016q1 2016q3 2017q1 2017q3 2018q1 2018q3 2019q1 2019q3

4,000,000

Quarters Actual

Projected

Average Yearly Growth

Total Bank Deposits: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 12.00%

10.21%

10.00% 8.00%

9.08%

8.01%

7.30%

6.00%

7.97% 7.42% 6.87%

2.00% 0.00%

Sample Average

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Pessimistic

Assets in Nonaccrual 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 -

Quarters Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

18 | Stanislaus State

6.95% 6.29% 5.63%

4.00%

Actual

Thousand Dollars

Consistent with the increases in interest rates resulting from the Federal Reserveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rate hikes, Valley bank assets in nonaccrual registered a very significant spike in the fourth quarter of 2014, halting the declining pattern that existed since 2009. The low value that occurred in the third quarter is likely to register as a permanent turning point for the series. The beginning pattern of rising bank assets in non-accrual suggests that Valley consumers are reconsidering balance sheets. Those consumers with high credit card u balances are now driven to cut back on credit card purchases and are additionally urged to take advantage of zero percent introductory rates offered by banks that now extend more than twelve months. Assets in default 30-to-

10,000,000

6,000,000

The increase in interest rates will help Valley community bank deposits. Tax cuts will also help, though at a later period than the effect of the rate hikes. Bank deposits in the Valley are projected to increase at an average annual rate of 6.29 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2019, and then at a slightly higher rate of 7.42 percent from the second half of 2019 to the first half of 2020. u

VALLEY BANK ASSETS IN NONACCRUAL REGISTERED A VERY SIGNIFICANT SPIKE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2014.

12,000,000

2003q2 2003q4 2004q2 2004q4 2005q2 2005q4 2006q2 2006q4 2007q2 2007q4 2008q2 2008q4 2009q2 2009q4 2010q2 2010q4 2011q2 2011q4 2012q2 2012q4 2013q2 2013q4 2014q2 2014q4 2015q2 2015q4 2016q2 2016q4 2017q2 2017q4

Valley community bank deposits grew 8.01 percent in 2017, registering the third consecutive slowdown. Average yearly growth in Valley bank deposits came in at 10.21 percent in 2015, followed by 9.08 percent in 2016. Nevertheless, all were above the typical historical rate of 7.30 percent, inclusive of the recessionary period and the drought years. u

In an environment of higher prices and rising rates, slower growth in net loans and leases will create slower growth in aggregate demand. Higher rates will continue to discourage borrowers and investors from taking out loans as they did when interest rates were lower. Higher default rates will result in bankers being more prudent in extending loans.

Thousand Dollars

70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000

Quarters Assets in Default 30-89 Days

Assets in Default 90+ Days * 10

Net Loans and Leases (in $ Thousands) 12,300,000 11,300,000 10,300,000 9,300,000 8,300,000 7,300,000 6,300,000 5,300,000 4,300,000 3,300,000

Net loans and leases will likely grow at a slower pace together with total bank deposits in the coming months. The growth in net loans and leases will lag behind the growth in total deposits due to disincentives to higher borrowing costs. Further, both will likely grow below historic benchmark rates in the coming months. Net loans and leases are projected to increase at an average yearly rate of 4.83 percent from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2019, and increase slightly at 5.70 percent from the second half of 2019 to the first half of 2020. u

80,000

Net Loans & Leases

Net loans and leases grew 6.92 percent in 2017, consistent with the dynamics observed in total bank deposits. However, that growth was much lower than the 8.02 percent in total bank deposits, indicating a 1.10 percent approximate deficit in lending. Valley net loans and leases slowdown in growth has occurred annually since 2015, similar to the slowdown in total bank deposits. Noteworthy is that the 2017 rate of growth in net loans and leases came in slower than the historical benchmark rate of 7.08 percent. u

Assets in Default 30+ Days

Quarters Actual

Projected

Net Loans and Leases: Historical vs. Projected Average Yearly Growth 15.22%

16.00% 14.00%

Yearly Growth

Assets in default 30-to-89 days registered an increase in the fourth quarter of 2017, together with assets in default 90-plus days. Assets in default 30-to-89 days and 90-plus days have exceeded a value of 10,000 on the vertical axis scale. Both series will further display an increasing trend in the coming months due to rising borrowing costs. u

11.93%

12.00% 10.00% 8.00%

7.08%

6.92%

6.00% 4.00%

5.66% 4.83% 3.99%

6.52% 5.70% 4.88%

2.00% 0.00%

Sample Average

Actual

2015 Average

Optimistic

2016 Average

Most Likely

2017 Average

2018-19 Forecast

2019-20 Forecast

Pessimistic

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 19

Concluding Remarks Valley total employment growth continued to slow in 2017, the third consecutive year exhibiting such dynamics. Noteworthy is that for the first time since the end of the recession the rate of growth in 2017 fell below the historical benchmark rate. Total employment grew the fastest at the county level in Madera and Stanislaus. Slowest growth occurred in Kern and Kings. Construction employment came back on top as the fastest-growing category of employment in 2017, followed by education and health services employment. A lagged indicator, government employment, tied with wholesale trade employment as the third-fastest growth category during 2017. Information employment continued to decline, while Valley manufacturing employment displayed relatively strong performance in 2017 when compared to the year before.

the year before. Growth in net loans and leases fell below the historical benchmark rate in 2017. Assets in non-accrual registered a big spike in the second half of 2017, ending a falling pattern that existed since 2009. Assets in default will likely begin displaying a rising trend as borrowing costs continue to increase as a result of rate hikes. The Valley will continue to feel a disproportionate impact coming from a series of rate hikes compared to the state and national levels. Tax cuts will benefit the Valley much less than elsewhere in the nation. The disproportionate impact from rate hikes and tax cuts mainly results from higher unemployment rates and a higher ratio of unskilled to skilled workers. The unskilled workers are subject to the greater likelihood of layoffs resulting from increases in costs of production. Another reason for the disproportionate impact is the presence of a relatively greater number of low-income families in the Valley than nationwide.

AVERAGE YEARLY HOUSING PRICES GREW FASTER IN 2017 THAN IN 2016 AND 2015.

Average yearly housing prices grew faster in 2017 than in 2016 and 2015. Given the effect coming from continued rate hikes, home values are likely to increase at a slower pace in 2019 and 2020. About the same number of single-family building permits were issued as the year before. However, building permits and construction employment are expected to reflect falling demand from rising rates and are likely to increase at a slower pace than in previous years. Wages and the price of oil exerted added pressure on the rate of inflation, which registered above 3.0 percent for three consecutive months in the fourth quarter of 2017, negatively affecting the purchasing power of the Valley consumer. Inflation is displaying a rising pattern and is one of the main concerns of the Federal Reserve in continuing to hike rates. Valley total bank deposits displayed consistent dynamics with net loans and leases. However, both series increased less than

20 | Stanislaus State

Disclaimer Although information in this document has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, we do not represent or warrant its accuracy, and such information may be incomplete or condensed. This document does not constitute a prospectus, offer, invitation or solicitation to buy or sell securities and is not intended to provide the sole basis for any evaluation of the securities or any other instrument which may be discussed in it. All estimates and opinions included in this document constitute our judgment as of the date of the document and may be subject to change without notice. This document is not a personal recommendation, and you should consider whether you can rely upon any opinion or statement contained in this document without seeking further advice tailored for your own circumstances. This document is confidential and is being submitted to selected recipients only. It may not be reproduced or disclosed (in whole or in part) to any other person without our prior written permission. Law or regulation in certain countries may restrict the manner of distribution of this document, and persons who come into possession of this document are required to inform themselves of and observe such restrictions. We, or our affiliates, may have acted upon or have made use of material in this document prior to its publication. You should seek advice concerning any impact this investment may have on your personal tax position from your own tax adviser.

Index Forecast Accuracy Table APPENDIX

ERROR

ACCURACY

TURNING POINT

Total Employment

1.72%

98.28%

Yes

Real GDP Growth

-0.11%

99.89%

Yes

Construction

1.61%

98.39%

Yes

Education & Health

-1.27%

98.73%

Government

0.97%

99.03%

Yes

Financial Services

0.77%

99.23%

Yes

Information

0.50%

99.50%

Yes

Leisure & Hospitality

-0.01%

99.99%

Yes

Manufacturing

1.48%

98.52%

Yes

Retail Trade

0.50%

99.50%

Yes

Trade, Transportation

1.33%

98.68%

Yes

Wholesale Trade

0.01%

99.99%

Yes

Inflation

-0.60%

99.40%

Quarterly Average Wage

-2.17%

97.83%

Yes

Housing Permits

0.09%

99.91%

Yes

Change in Housing Price

-7.72%

92.28%

Yes

Total Bank Deposits

4.10%

95.90%

Yes

Net Loans/Leases

-0.81%

99.19%

Yes

Overall

0.39%

99.61%

San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast, 2018 | Midyear Update | 21

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