In our last formal update on gold in January [see: Jan 2 Update on Gold] with GC trading at 1529, I noted that although DXY had held up well, gold should benefit from loose Fed policy – but could see a backtest of its SMA200 based on the oil/gas meltdown we expected. I am partial, … continue reading →
The futures are lock limit down again this morning, with ETFs trading in the after-hours indicating losses on the (eventual) open of up to 10%. This is probably not what the Fed had in mind when they unleashed the massive, emergency rate cut and $700 billion in new QE an hour before the futures opened … continue reading →
After weeks of gathering clouds, the storm we’ve been watching has finally arrived. S&P futures are lock limit down just a few points above our next downside target. Not surprisingly, all of our other targets across currencies, commodities and fixed income have either tagged or exceeded our next downside targets, with more to go once … continue reading →
Futures are higher this morning on what is expected to be a non-event FOMC announcement and press conference. I suspect attention will again return to currencies, as the US dollar’s surge over the past month, combined with the big drop we had anticipated in oil and gas, will serve to tamp down inflation fears. Of … continue reading →
It was October 1989 and the stock market was in trouble. Two years after crashing 36% (including 20% in a single session) the S&P 500 had made a comeback and had climbed back to new all-time highs. But high inflation, slipping junk bond prices and failing S&Ls were in the headlines daily. On October 13, … continue reading →
Inflation drives interest rates. Though the Fed probably wishes it didn’t, it’s an inconvenient truth. There are much tighter correlations, but consider the strong positive correlation between CPI and 10Y notes. This matters, of course, because with $22 trillion in debt, the US faces the same problem as the ECB and Japan: High interest rates … continue reading →
Today is off to an interesting start. Following Trump’s call for negative interest rates and more grandstanding on China in New York yesterday, headline CPI came in hotter than expected but right in line with our forecast. As we’ve discussed, this is the result of oil and gas trending sideways in support of the upcoming … continue reading →
It’s not too surprising that there’s been a firm floor under oil and gas prices, given the upcoming Aramco IPO. But, isn’t it funny how CL has popped above its SMA200 every single day this week, even in the wake of dismal inventory data? Just like it’s funny that ES, which pretty obviously should have … continue reading →
The approach of the FOMC meeting which begins today has been very good for stocks. There’s nothing unusual about this. Like OPEX dates, stocks almost always rally into such important lines in the sand. Most investors have lost track, however, of the fact that stocks have usually declined after such meetings.With SPX a few points … continue reading →
More fun and games from the market-rigging department… If SPX’s rally has impressed you, check out the Nikkei. Since its Aug 26 lows, NKD is up a whopping 13.8% — more than twice SPX’s impressive 6.0%.Do what I did and google “Japan” and “economy” for the past month and you’ll see nothing but negative stories … continue reading →