Retail ETF shows signs of finally catching up to weakening retail sales

U.S. retail sales disappoint again – has not grown four out of last five months Not much correlation between gasoline price and personal consumption expenditures RTH, which had diverged from weakening retail sales, has been weakening past seven weeks U.S. … Continued

Despite weak macro backdrop, markets pricing in higher inflation!

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

For only 4th time in six-plus decades, U.S. GDP price deflator goes negative Macro data weaker than expected this week, but rates come under upward pressure Dollar plays crucial role in inflation outlook, breaks support, could be headed toward 92 … Continued

Peek into future through futures

The following are futures positions of non-commercials as of April 21, 2015.  Change is week-over-week. 10-year note: Are bond vigilantes expecting a hawkish tone from the FOMC next week?  The latter meets on 28-29.  For the most part, macro data … Continued

Dynamics between orders, inventories and C&I loans

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

Orders for non-defense capital goods ex-aircraft – proxy for business capital expenditures – continue to lose momentum.  Year-over-year growth dipped in the negative territory for the first time since January 2014.  One month does not a trend make, but there … Continued

Fed craves higher inflation yet pays interest on reserves!

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

Government’s various measures of inflation continue to elude Fed’s 2% target U.S. banks’ excess reserves have followed QE higher, and are sitting idle By paying interest on reserves, Fed encourages banks to sit on them The Federal Reserve wants inflation.  … Continued