pebblewriter

Author: pebblewriter

  • Update on the USDJPY: Dec 19, 2023

    In a move that surprised no one, the BoJ left their monetary policy unchanged unhinged. The policy statement still reflects the looney tunes, magical thinking that has always epitomized their decisions: they’ll raise rates when inflation reaches 2% – even though inflation is well above 2% and has been for over a year. Annualizing the past quarter, CPI is running at 5.4%.  Yet, the BoJ is holding short term rates at -0.10% and the 10Y at 0%.  Ultra-low interest rates have exacerbated the inflation problem for consumers, as the yen continues to hover near 30+ year lows – driving food and energy prices even higher.

    However, increasingly squeezed consumers remain at the bottom of the BoJ’s priority list, along with Debt:GDP – currently around 255%. At the top of the list: the Nikkei 225 stock index – hovering near all-time highs.

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  • Charts I’m Watching: Dec 18, 2023

    Futures are drifting higher as we approach the open, mostly on year-end positioning.

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  • John Williams: “Not so Fast”

    If Jay Powell’s comments were intended to spur the market to new highs, NY Fed President John Williams’ were intended to slow the roll.  On CNBC this morning:

    “We aren’t really talking about rate cuts right now…we’re very focused on the question in front of us, which as chair Powell said… is, have we gotten monetary policy to sufficiently restrictive stance in order to ensure the inflation comes back down to 2%? That’s the question in front of us.”

    Futures were not amused, dropping from slightly higher to slightly lower as he spoke even though today is OPEX [see: Does OPEX Matter? (which desperately needs updating)].

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  • Powell: “Buy Stocks and Bonds”

    Okay, he didn’t actually say that. But, he might as well have. His latest press conference was completely devoid of any hawkish sentiment. Not only did SPX shoot up past our year-end target… …the 10Y plunged to our downside target.The message was clear. Interest rates are coming down and the Fed’s third mandate (higher stock prices) is officially in play, with all-time highs are right around the corner.  But, are they?

    We don’t wish to sound negative, so we’ll let Goldman Sachs’ 2024 Equity Outlook do it for us. Stocks might be near record highs, but it’s really just the magnificent 7 which are reaching rarified air. The rest…not so much.

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  • FOMC Decision: Dec 13, 2023

    With CPI notching only slightly higher than expected yesterday and PPI coming in plenty low (0.0% MoM, 0.9% YoY) the FOMC will have a difficult time convincing algos that there isn’t a rate cut coming in the spring.

    Futures continued their meltup… …driven largely by VIX’s repeated meltdown.Ramp it up overnight so you can hammer it just prior to the opening the next morning. Works every time…

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  • CPI Ticks Higher

    CPI came in slightly hotter than expected at 0.1% versus 0.0% expected and prior (annual 3.1% vs 3.1%.) Core was 4.0% (unchanged) but 0.3% monthly versus 0.2% prior and 0.0% expected.) Core goods actually fell 0.3% while much stickier services rose a blistering 0.5%. This is all a bit of a disappointment for the rate cut crowd.

    Futures are off slightly.

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  • Charts I’m Watching: Dec 11, 2023

    Futures are essentially flat ahead of tomorrow’s important CPI print.

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  • VIX: “Don’t Worry About It”

    Despite a much hotter than expected NFP print, VIX’s convenient collapse… …has once again convinced investors algos that there’s nothing to worry about. The 20-pt drop in futures following the print was erased within minutes.

    It’s all in keeping with our year-end forecast, which remains unchanged.

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  • Update on Oil and Gas: Dec 7, 2023

    Algos popped in the past hour on a larger than expected increase in initial jobless claims with the more important NFP due out tomorrow.

    But, the more dramatic move has been in oil, with CL reaching our next downside target and RB well on its way to its own.

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  • Christmas Comes Early

    Futures continue to be supported above their 10-day moving average by a combination of algo factors led by VIX. The Christmas meltup came early this year and, so far, shows no signs of letting up.continued for members… (more…)