Amidst mixed signals in the economy and divergences with the bond market and crucial metals, among others, US stocks continue to rally to new highs. US inventories are building – again. In October, manufacturing and trade inventories rose 0.2 percent … Continued
The 12-month total of US budget deficit just crossed $1 trillion. Treasury issuance is well over $900 billion. Foreigners at the same time have been reducing exposure to US notes and bonds. If the trend persists, this is bound to … Continued
US Manufacturing has contracted for three months now. Markets are not a least bit bothered. They are hoping the Fed’s three rate cuts this year would boost a decelerating economy. In the futures market, non-commercials are betting with record net … Continued
Job growth and household formation are healthy. However, housing starts are falling behind. Not to mention the yawning gap between renter-occupied versus owner-occupied housing units. The post-financial crisis recovery is just three months short of completing a decade. Great Recession … Continued
The Fed meets this week. It already shifted its bias from hawkish to dovish, helping stocks. With the economy softening, in due course the Fed may once again deploy balance sheet as a tool, which will initially help stocks, but … Continued
Thursday’s retail sales data likely poured more gasoline into the recession-fear fire. The cycle is getting long in the tooth. Risks are rising. The expansion has lasted for nearly a decade. Contraction is just a matter of when not if. … Continued
The 10-year T-yield dropped from 3.24 percent a month ago to last Thursday’s intraday low of 2.83 percent. The daily chart is grossly oversold. A rally looks imminent near term, meaning TLT is headed lower. US average hourly earnings for … Continued
US stocks continued to take it on the chin last week. Amidst this rout that began early October, small-caps last week performed relatively better. Bulls hope this is a signal, not a noise, at least near term. US M2 money … Continued
In the midst of a flattening yield curve, the 10-year T-yield is once again hammering on resistance at just north of three percent. Just a month ago, these notes yielded 2.81 percent. At least a pause is due, raising the … Continued
US economic data of late have been coming in strong. Real GDP printed 4.1 percent growth in 2Q18. This was the strongest growth rate in 15 quarters. As of last Friday, the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model expects 4.4 percent growth … Continued