Should We Fear a Yield Curve Inversion?

It seems like everyone’s talking about the yield curve. Will it invert? If so, when? Would it imply or even precipitate a recession? How would it affect Fed policy? What would it mean for the stock market? Since our work focuses on forecasting markets, let’s set aside for the moment whether an inversion means a … continue reading →

How Confident?

It’s fitting that the Case-Shiller Home Price Index and Consumer Confidence are both coming out on the same day. If you’ve been a homeowner the past few years and have enjoyed the Fed-induced rally, you’re probably feeling fairly confident. If you rent, and have watched rent payments surge along with everything else – again, thanks … continue reading →

Durable Goods Stumbles

February Durable Goods slumped to a 2.2% loss, raising the prospect that stagflation has officially arrived. The overnight ramp is holding for now, but ES continues to teeter on its SMA200. For those closely studying the fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Northfield put out an excellent paper yesterday: What Investors with (and without) … continue reading →

April Fool’s Day Comes Early

Judging from the market’s reaction yesterday, the Fed should raise rates more often. Obviously, it wasn’t the market’s reaction. It was algos responding to the “bullish” signals thrown at them, all at the same time, and all before Powell had moved past his opening remarks to say anything of substance that wasn’t already known. It’s … continue reading →