U.S. Fascination With Debt Knows No Bounds

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

Debt addiction is pervasive among consumers, corporations as well as the federal government.  Several debt-related metrics are in uncharted territories.  The craving is built into the system and can continue until markets rebel. In December, U.S. consumer credit grew 4.7 … Continued

CoT: Peek Into Future Through Futures, How Hedge Funds Are Positioned

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of February 4, 2020. 10-year note: Currently net short 358.9k, up 88.5k. One more week of additional liquidity from the Fed!  In the week to Wednesday, SOMA (System Open Market Account) holdings went … Continued

CoT: Peek Into Future Through Futures, How Hedge Funds Are Positioned

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of January 28, 2020. 10-year note: Currently net short 270.5k, down 32.1k. The Fed has a dual mandate of maximum employment and stable prices.  The post-Great Recession recovery/expansion has been uneven, but jobs … Continued

Rates Diverge With Equities – TLT Pushes Through Aug ’19 Falling Trendline

posted in: Credit, Derivatives, Economy, Technicals | 0

The year is quite young, but things have not quite turned out the way bond bears were hoping they would.  The 10-year T-yield last week pierced through trend-line support from last September.  In due course, this likely opens the door … Continued

CoT: Peek Into Future Through Futures, How Hedge Funds Are Positioned

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of January 21, 2020. 10-year note: Currently net short 302.5k, up 79k. The FOMC meets next week – on 28-29.  This is the year’s first meeting.  Markets do not expect the Fed to … Continued

Too Much Of A Good Thing Not Always Good

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities | 0

The post-Great Recession recovery has been uneven.  Jobs have been one of the bright spots.  In the dying months of last year, job openings – both non-farm and small-business – weakened.  It is too early to declare a trend has … Continued

CoT: Peek Into Future Through Futures, How Hedge Funds Are Positioned

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of January 14, 2020. 10-year note: Currently net short 223.6k, up 44.3k. Bond bulls and bears continue to fight over control of trend-line support from early September when the 10-year Treasury yield (1.84 … Continued

Investor Optimism Giddy Going Into 4Q19 Earnings Season

Elevated multiples have not bothered equity bulls.  In recent months, the Fed too has come to their aid.  Investor optimism is dangerously elevated going into the 4Q19 earnings season. The 4Q19 earnings season kicks off this week.  Banks and brokers … Continued

CoT: Peek Into Future Through Futures, How Hedge Funds Are Positioned

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of January 7, 2020. 10-year note: Currently net short 179.2k, down 55.5k. The 10-year Treasury yield (1.83 percent) was rejected at 1.95-1.97 percent in both November and December.  The drop since found support … Continued

2019 Corporate Bond Issuance Up 5.8%, Outstanding Corporate Debt Elevated

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

US corporations issued 5.8 percent more bond last year than they did in 2018.  The $1.41 trillion in issuance is still lower than the 2017 record high of $1.64 trillion.  It is possible corporations are pulling in horns because they … Continued