Draghi handout — or lack thereof — this AM to decide euro’s N/T fate

FXE breaks one more crucial technical support Large speculators’ euro net shorts at 26-mo high, but flattish in recent weeks Market reaction to Draghi’s asset-purchase plans will be a tell regarding euro’s near-term direction Still a wait-and-see on the euro … Continued

One common reason why Fed, ECB and BoJ hanker for inflation

posted in: Currency, Economy | 0

Debtors prefer inflation; the more the better Fed, ECB and BoJ yearning for higher inflation, but latter is no-show Low inflation gives Fed more flexibility when to hike rates, which has investment implications There is no shortage of issues that … Continued

This chart shows how correlated Fed assets are with US stocks

posted in: Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west.  But in life, things are not always this straightforward.  Besides black and white, there is this thing called gray.  And in the gray territory, things can get confusing.  … Continued

Fed aims at low rates so low-cost servicing on federal debt is ensured

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

As we await the FOMC statement this afternoon, the adjacent chart is apropos.  In it, US federal debt has been plotted against interest payments (seasonally adjusted annual rates) of the federal government.  The latter is calculated as a share of … Continued

Corporate capX subdued, but bond issuance on course for another record year

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

Another year, another record issuance!  Probably.  US corporate bond issuance is on course for another record year.  August-to-date, as per the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, corporations have issued $939.2bn, of which investment-grade is $738.2bn and high-yield $201.1bn.  In … Continued

Draghi surprises; FXE downtrend accelerates, nears support

As discussed last week that non-commercial futures traders might just once again be ahead of the curve in anticipating market reaction to Thursday’s ECB decision, they indeed were.  By Tuesday (last week), they had raised net shorts in euro futures … Continued

Beaten-down euro’s next move — look for clues in futures markets

The expected decline in the euro never came.  Back on August 11, it looked like the currency was ready for a bounce.  Just a bounce, as long-term technicals were only midway through unwinding overbought conditions hence did not call for … Continued