Markets

Globally Synchronized Downside Risks

By |2017-11-14T16:17:34-05:00November 14th, 2017|Currencies, Economy, Federal Reserve/Monetary Policy, Markets|

Oil prices were riding high after several weeks of steady, significant gains. It’s never really clear what it is that might actually move markets in the short run, whether for crude it was Saudi Arabia’s escalating activities or other geopolitical concerns. Behind those, the idea of “globally synchronized growth” that is supposedly occurring for the first time since before the [...]

Broad Market Calibrations: Nowhere Near Good

By |2017-11-13T19:20:40-05:00November 13th, 2017|Bonds, Currencies, Economy, Federal Reserve/Monetary Policy, Markets|

In later 2014, the Bank of Russia began to repo out eurodollars to local Russian banks. These financial institutions were being increasingly deprived of “dollar” funding on global markets. It made sense that Russia’s central bank would step in on their behalf, redistributing what it could out of its own pocket (though exactly which one was never made clear) to [...]

Desperately Seeking 1995

By |2017-11-14T09:02:54-05:00November 13th, 2017|Currencies, Economy, Federal Reserve/Monetary Policy, Markets|

The year 1995 wasn’t exact a good year to remember. There was the Oklahoma City bombing, the San Diego tank rampage, the New Jersey Devils winning the Stanley Cup in a lockout shortened NHL season, and some former Buffalo Bills running back named OJ getting into trouble out in LA. Steve Forbes would announce his candidacy to challenge President Clinton [...]

A Prudent Man (Person)

By |2017-11-14T14:24:53-05:00November 13th, 2017|Markets|

Prudence: noun 1. The ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason 2. Sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs 3. Skill and good judgment in the use of resources 4. Caution or circumspection as to danger or risk Synonyms: alertness, care, carefulness, cautiousness, chariness, circumspection, gingerliness, guardedness, heedfulness, caution, wariness Origin and etymology: Middle English, [...]

Eurodollar University, Part 4 (MacroVoices)

By |2017-11-10T19:24:54-05:00November 10th, 2017|Currencies, Economy, Federal Reserve/Monetary Policy, Markets|

Erik Townsend welcomes back Jeffrey Snider to MacroVoices for Part 4 of the Eurodollar University. Erik and Jeffrey discuss the failure of Primus and AIG back in 2008, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Henry Paulson and Glass–Steagall. They further discuss the Eurodollar system going parabolic in the 2000s, Banks manipulating regulations and the big picture end game of the Eurodollar system. The [...]

Chart of the Week: Another Compelling Note of Caution

By |2017-11-10T19:09:19-05:00November 10th, 2017|Bonds, Currencies, Economy, Federal Reserve/Monetary Policy, Markets|

Leveraged loan prices and WTI tracked each other pretty well during the "rising dollar", unsurprising given that the oil sector was over-represented in most new deals as the one truly booming part of the domestic US economy.  That was the case on the rebound, too, where leveraged loan prices rose at the same time oil prices did.  And then both [...]

COT Black: Crude Balance Here?

By |2017-11-10T18:06:41-05:00November 10th, 2017|Currencies, Economy, Federal Reserve/Monetary Policy, Markets|

Oil prices have had a very good run for several months now. Dating back to the recent low reached June 21, WTI is up an impressive 35% to a new two-year high. Crude hasn’t traded at $57 since June 2015. During this latest increase, the oil futures curve has finally achieved backwardation (which isn’t necessarily permanent). The long-awaited normalization is [...]

Not The Usual Hollow Words

By |2017-11-10T13:10:51-05:00November 10th, 2017|Currencies, Economy, Federal Reserve/Monetary Policy, Markets|

The Communist Chinese government views banking as a core industry, the securities business a core concept of banking. Their domestic sector has therefore been given preference and protection despite market reforms adopted elsewhere in China’s economy. Foreign bank presence has been ostensibly nothing, a fact that the government I believe wanted as a measure of symbolic openness rather than head [...]

The Inflation of China’s Condition

By |2017-11-09T18:38:35-05:00November 9th, 2017|Currencies, Economy, Federal Reserve/Monetary Policy, Markets|

One day after the China’s government reported disappointing but consistent trade figures, that country’s National Bureau of Statistics published inflation estimates that are being branded at least on this side of the Pacific as some degree of “hot.” As is usually the case, the characterization is wildly off. China is no closer now to an inflation problem, thus solid growth, [...]

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