Persistent lack of wage gains can ultimately have repercussions for economy

posted in: Economy | 0

Steep drop in unemployment rate typically would suggest upward wage pressure Shrinkage in labor force takes bargaining power away from employees Corporations taking increasing share of national income vs labor It has been a while National Federation of Independent Business … Continued

Revised 2Q14 GDP numbers once again revive hopes of capX revival

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

The revised 2Q14 GDP numbers last week have rekindled hopes of a corporate capital spending revival in the U.S.  It was the second estimate (preliminary), so there is one more revision to go.  Nevertheless, several inputs related to corporate spending … Continued

NYSE margin debt goes sideways in May; 2H Nasdaq ramifications

posted in: Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

In many ways, this cycle has been like none other.  Equities continue to grind higher.  Multiples (valuation) continue to expand.  The Fed continues to provide support – both monetary and verbal.  Equity bulls continue to throw the caution flag out … Continued

Bond yield/earnings yield ratio lousy metric in present circumstances

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities | 0

One valuation tool equity bulls consistently use to justify current stock valuations – as well as to argue for further multiple expansion – is by comparing bond yield to earnings yield.  There is a metric known as ‘bond equity earnings … Continued

Mismatch between capex-cautious but profit-rich corporations and already-levered but ready-to-take-on-more-debt consumers

posted in: Economy, Equities | 0

The 1Q14 GDP print was a shocker, to say the least!  Real GDP inched up a mere 0.1 percent SAAR, versus consensus expectations of 1.2-percent expansion.  Sure, it is the advance estimate, with two more still to come.  Sure it … Continued

An ‘escape velocity’ that keeps escaping

posted in: Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

Are we there yet?  Have we yet reached the escape velocity?  You know the 6.96 miles-per-second speed needed to break free from the gravitational pull of the earth.  I am of course figuratively referring to the prevalent expectations that the … Continued