FRB Powell’s two-day Congressional testimony has concluded. No new ground was broken and perhaps the phrase “heightened uncertainty” is an understatement of the current environment. War in the Middle East could drive oil prices sharply higher and tariffs that are already in place raise the prospect of higher prices for both consumers and businesses. The … Read more
Equites advanced on hopes that a de-escalation of the Middle East conflict will prevent a flare up in inflation. FRB Chair Powell’s Congressional testimony was largely a non-event other than the Fed Chief adding “many paths are possible” for monetary policy. Markets keyed in on his statement that if inflation pressures remained contained “we will … Read more
Despite ominous headlines, oil prices did not rise on Monday and market fears of the conflict spreading remain low. Is complacency too great, setting most up for failure or are the events just indeed noise? The Middle East accounts for about a third of global crude production, but there have not been any signs of … Read more
Considerable attention has been focused upon the proliferation of zero-day-to expiration options. As noted the other day, the CBOE states retail traders—defined as trading 10 options contracts or less—now represent the majority of S & P 500 options, often exceeding half of the total trading in the S & P 500 itself. Call volume greatly … Read more
Equities were initially nominally lower ahead of today’s outcome of the FOMC meeting. No change in monetary policy is expected, however the comments surrounding tariffs and the Middle East conflict will be closely scrutinized. Selling accelerated following the President’s comments that Iran must “unconditionally surrender.” Oil rallied about 4% as did the dollar and Treasuries … Read more
Equites rallied off the headline that Iran wants to restart nuclear talks. The Blomberg headline immediately below read “Isreal denies reports that Iran wants to de-escalate.” The very next headline reads “Iran Ready to deliver major Blow to Isreal” according to a senior Iranian official. What headline is correct? As noted several times the first … Read more
The dollar or Treasury did not rally on Friday following the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. Has both lost their “safe haven status,” the result of Washington’s fiscal recklessness? Or was it the result of the inflationary surge in both oil and gold? Equites pared most of their early morning losses, perhaps an indicator of … Read more
Did the world change overnight or were the events just noise? Isreal bombed Iranian nuclear and military installations. The comments are what is to be expected depending upon one’s preconceived bias. As noted many times, no one is objective and those who say they are the most subjective people. Everyone has confirmation bias and in … Read more
Underlying inflation rose in May less than forecast for the fourth month in a row, suggesting companies are largely holding back on passing higher tariff costs through to consumers. The prevailing narrative is that companies massively increased inventories before the tariffs were enacted and firms are now working off these stores, hoping to replenish supplies … Read more
The narrative is beginning to rise about the reliance of a small number of stocks that has underpinned the “V” shape recovery since the tariff induced April swoon. Bloomberg again quantifies the concentration…about 50% of the returns since April is in 10 names and 33% of the gains are from 5 names. The Newswire further … Read more
