Wages

“Mr. Biden and his party have been given the chance to avoid a dire fate for their country and the world. They should seize it.”

The S&P 500 once again touched an all-time high (5,523) but closed on a down note for two reasons. First, inflation remains persistent. The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge (PCE) showed prices are still rising substantially more than they were pre-pandemic (+2.6% vs +1.3%.) The key (outside-down-day) reversal lower insured that for the 9th. straight day, the U.S. equity index failed to close above the psychologically important 5,500 level. Second, Biden’s Presidential term is likely finished. The damaging and likely permanent fallout from the debate is devastating. More on that below.

“Mr. Biden and his party have been given the chance to avoid a dire fate for their country and the world. They should seize it.” Read More »

“In this new global environment, policymakers, even those previously in the ‘lower forever’ camp…”

Interest rates drive everything, and they are as volatile and directionally uncertain as they’ve ever been. So are the global macroeconomics driving them. Global fund managers are required to make bets on outcomes for stocks, currencies, and commodities based on the cost of money. If perspectives on rates are so dispersed, how can we judge the value of the things that are driven by them?

“In this new global environment, policymakers, even those previously in the ‘lower forever’ camp…” Read More »

The “peak Fed funds narrative” is all the rage… risks have not disappeared, just conveniently ignored.

The “peak Fed funds narrative” is all the rage. The risk rally off the October 27th lows completely overwhelmed the negative market inputs of persistent inflation, excessive indebtedness, deficit spending, weak political leadership, and increased fiscal and monetary stimulus.

The “peak Fed funds narrative” is all the rage… risks have not disappeared, just conveniently ignored. Read More »