Treasury Yields Show Signs of a TopTreasury yields have been a major driver of sentiment since early 2022. The 10-year Treasury yield jumped above 1.75 percent at the beginning of the bear market last January. But now it may be showing signs of a top.
The first pattern on today’s chart is the falling trendline along the highs of October, November and December. Notice how TNX began the New Year (and a new week) by sharply dropping from this resistance.
Second, the rejection occurred at the 50-day simple moving average (SMA). Interestingly, this is different than we saw in August, when the yield leaped above the SMA. It’s also noteworthy that the SMA has been falling since early December, another potential sign of the trend reversing lower.
Next, consider the longer-term levels. TNX peaked at 4.32 percent in 2008 and 4.014 percent the following year. Given the recent price action, that general zone seems to be holding as resistance.
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Bonds
BONDS YIELD PREDICTION!!!!! US02YDESCRIPTION: In the chart above I have provided a macro analysis for 2 year bond yield on the Daily Timeframe.
POINTS:
1. Since the beginning of this upward trend on January 2022 we have seen that bonds and the overall market are said to share an inverse relationship but during pivotal moments that has not been the case as you can see that the stock market has risen along with bonds and vise versa .
2. Deviation in SUPLY & DEMAND POCKETS is clearly shown to be every 1% RISE IN YIELDS . (Refer to BLUE & ORANGE Horizontal Lines)
3. Before entry is made into a new DEMAND POCKET price action has a distinctive pump that has occurred several times. (Refer to white lines between SUPPLY & DEMAND POCKETS).
4. Predicted rise was formulated by using the average of previous last two pumps of +40.92% and +54.21% = +48% when rounded.
5. Average does in fact coincide with previous point of resistance when bond yields rose to 6% in the early 2000's. (A POINT THAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE A PIVOT POINT)
6. When you observe MACD we can also conclude that downward pressure is looking for relief like in past occasions.
SCENARIO #1: Bond Yields continue to rise and follow uptrend into early 2023 which can then signify that a market bottom is yet to be confirmed.
SCENARIO #2: Bond Yields break crucial SUPPORT OF 4.000% and will invalidate current setup. Possibly being followed by capitulation in the stock market since falls in yields seem to be more closely tied to falls in the overall market than the inverse relationship.
TVC:US02Y
Bonds to Start the YearAs I mentioned in my 2022 EOY letter... with actual meaningful interest rates now a thing bonds can return yield. While bonds issued in the last decade (or two) are getting hammered in value as higher rate bonds are being issued presently. I think the market is pricing all of this in and if we do get a tapering of rate increases we will see bond values increase.
TLT NASDAQ:TLT has a good setup for a TS recapture on the Weekly timeframe from last week. The trade going into 2023 is for the October 2021 low on TLT to hold and move up over the year to recapture 135.
2Yr Yield creeping up slowly$TNX is closed atm but if the 2yr is an indication it may open higher
We re-entered long yield after FED day in DEC.
Sold puts on $TYO & bought common
Didn't go heavy because Monthly chart is a tad tough.
Weekly 2yr trading decently above avg's again
So far so good.
We were bullish on STOCKS but that was late Oct/Early Nov, then went bearish for a bit, & are now NEUTRAL.
EDIT:
Keep in mind that in BULL MARKETS items can remain OVERBOUGHT for long periods of time.
GB05Y - A show of hands!UK 5 YEAR GOVT BONDS YIELD
It is recommended to wait for confirmation by show of hand on the asset; the three successive bearish candles occurring at the region below the rising TL may be indicating something.... too soon to call?
Suspicions are that the main leagues are not yet ready to fully liquidate, that they may have banked some profits and reloaded with discount; simple shark meal as usual - not a difficult life or decision considering the massive capital and first-hand access to new information.
If you feel so inclined, please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Heed your DD!
GBPNZD caution recommended!For background information, see related ideas -
Strength evaluation is now taking place, however because event listeners are connected possibly in preparation for Buys, you should be careful of unexpected movements.
Observe your DD!
Reminder: Use caution when trading now more than ever before because significant movements are anticipated.
Forget the "Santa rally"Forget the "Santa rally," it's time to brace ourselves for a potentially tumultuous 2023 as concerns mount over bond market developments and their impact on Q1 earnings
Santa is tired, Kids
It is uncertain whether the annual "Santa rally" will occur in 2022 due to the bear market. There are concerns about the recent developments in the bond market and their potential impact on Q1 2023 earnings. Some stocks, such as Amazon, have approached their 2020 lows, which raises the possibility of a "sell the rumor, buy the fact" situation. In the past, when the NASDAQ has experienced a 20% annual drop, negative consequences have followed in subsequent years, with particularly poor performance in the first year. The 10-year treasury yields have reached their highest levels since November and the Federal Reserve may be unable to provide support as it did in 2008, putting portfolios at risk in the coming year. Most strategists expect market prices to remain around current levels by the end of the year, though some have forecasted SPX values of 3400, 3650, and 3725. A shooting star-style weekly candle on the Bond market has signaled potential significant drops in the S&P 500, ranging from 18-20%. There has been a rotation in market performance in the past month, with sectors such as energy, utilities, financials, staples, healthcare, and defensive stocks performing well, while semiconductors, tech, consumer discretionary, clean energy, and solar have struggled. This trend, known as stagflation, has also been reflected in the performance of assets like gold and the GDX. Valuation compression has also been observed in the market, particularly in the clean energy sector. The VIX, or volatility index, has reached levels similar to those seen during the Global Financial Crisis, raising concerns about a potential fear-driven market in 2023. The U.S. two-year yield and 10-year yield have also risen, with the potential for inflation to increase due to recent Covid outbreaks and supply chain disruptions. The high yield market has weakened, with the rejection of topping islands and a deviation from the usual two.
Hairy Bonds
Why is the bond market like a box of chocolates? You never know what you're gonna get! Bonds have recently experienced a sharp decline, largely due to expectations for the federal funds rate and the potential for further COVID-19 lockdowns. This is also contributing to concerns about inflation and the ability of the Federal Reserve to effectively combat it. As a result, the performance of bonds has been impacted, as they tend to do better in environments with rate cuts. The Federal Reserve's slower pace of cuts suggests it may take longer to support the economy and potentially puts additional pressure on economic fundamentals and company valuations. The S&P 500 has seen significant losses on specific days in 2022, including September 13th, May 18th, June 13th, April 29th, and May 5th. These days have resulted in drastic percentage moves, with some as high as 4.3%. In the past month, there has been a rotation in market performance, with sectors such as energy, utilities, financials, staples, healthcare, and defensive stocks performing well, while semiconductors, tech, consumer discretionary, clean energy, and solar have struggled. This trend, known as stagflation, has also been reflected in the performance of assets like gold and the GDX. Valuation compression, or a decrease in the price-to-earnings ratio, has also been observed in the market, particularly in the clean energy sector. It is important to continue monitoring key levels and considering the potential impact on portfolios.
Yield those Funds
FUN FUNDS!
The Federal Funds rate, also known as the benchmark interest rate, is the rate at which banks lend and borrow overnight funds from each other to meet their reserve requirements. It is set by the Federal Reserve, the central banking system of the United States, and is used as a tool to achieve its monetary policy objectives.
Over the past two decades, the Federal Funds rate has had a significant impact on the stock market, particularly the S&P 500 index (SPX). In general, changes in the Federal Funds rate can affect the stock market in a number of ways, including through the cost of borrowing, the level of economic growth, and investor sentiment.
During the early 2000s, the Federal Reserve implemented a series of interest rate cuts in response to the dot-com bubble and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which helped to boost the stock market. The SPX reached an all-time high in 2007, just before the onset of the global financial crisis. In response to the crisis, the Federal Reserve implemented a series of aggressive interest rate cuts, which helped to stabilize the market and contribute to the recovery of the SPX.
Since the recovery from the financial crisis, the Federal Reserve has generally maintained a low interest rate environment, with the Federal Funds rate hovering around 0%. This has been supportive of the stock market, as low interest rates can make stocks more attractive to investors by reducing the opportunity cost of investing in stocks relative to other asset classes.
However, as the economy has improved and the stock market has reached new highs, the Federal Reserve has begun to gradually increase the Federal Funds rate. While the impact of these increases on the stock market has been relatively limited so far, some analysts have raised concerns that further increases could lead to a slowdown in the market.
Currently, in 2022 leading into 2023, there are no signs yet of the Federal Reserve cutting or tapering rates as the market continues to decline, marking a period of demand destruction. This suggests that the Federal Reserve may be hesitant to use monetary policy as a tool to support the market in the current environment. Instead, the Federal Reserve may be looking to continue rate hikes towards 2000 or 2008 levels.
See chart
In addition: also see
Interesting Inflation!
The "Interesting Inflation" indicator is a technical analysis tool that is designed to provide traders with information about the rate of inflation in the United States. It is designed to work on monthly charts and uses data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to calculate the average rate of inflation over a specified period of time.
On the chart, the light blue to orange line represents the average rate of inflation, while the dark blue line represents the trend in the inflation rate for the month of December. The green line represents U.S. interest rates.
The indicator includes a number of inputs, including a toggle to show the inflation rate for the month of December and a setting to enable or disable the display of U.S. interest rates. It also includes a number of plots, including plots for the U.S. inflation rate and U.S. interest rates.
To use the "Interesting Inflation" indicator, traders can simply add it to their chart and adjust the input settings as desired. The indicator will then display the average rate of inflation and, if enabled, the U.S. interest rates on the chart. Traders can use this information to understand the current inflation environment and to make informed decisions about their trades.
In addition to the average rate of inflation, the "Interesting Inflation" indicator also includes a plot for the inflation rate in the month of December. This can be useful for traders who are interested in understanding the trend in inflation over the course of the year and how it may affect the market.
In November 2022, the United States saw a 7.1% increase in prices compared to the previous year, according to the monthly consumer price index (CPI) for goods and services. The CPI, which measures the rate of inflation, shows the percentage change in the price of a basket of goods and services over time. Inflation in the United States has been particularly high in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The annual inflation rate in the United States has risen from 3.2% in 2011 to 8.3% in 2022, indicating a decrease in the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar.
According to data from the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. CPI was approximately 258.84 in 2020 and is expected to reach 325.6 by 2027, compared to the base period from 1982 to 1984. In November 2022, the monthly percentage change in the CPI for urban consumers in the United States was 0.1% compared to the previous month.
Inflation is a significant economic indicator and is being closely watched in countries around the world. Brazil saw an inflation rate of 8.3% in 2021 compared to the previous year, while China's rate stood at 0.85%.
Like a Bottle!
The yield curve represented in blue on the bottom is the graphical representation of the relationship between bond yields and their corresponding maturities. In general, long-term bonds tend to have higher yields than short-term bonds, as investors demand a higher return to compensate for the additional risk associated with tying up their money for a longer period of time. This results in a normal yield curve, where long-term yields are higher than short-term yields.
However, in some cases, the yield curve may become inverted, with short-term yields exceeding long-term yields. This can occur when investors are concerned about the future outlook for the economy and are willing to accept lower returns on long-term bonds in exchange for the added security of a shorter investment horizon.
One specific aspect of the yield curve that is often monitored is the spread between the 10-year and 2-year yields. When the 10-year yield is lower than the 2-year yield, it is known as a yield curve inversion. A yield curve inversion is often viewed as a bearish sign for the stock market, as it can indicate that investors are concerned about the economic outlook and are becoming more risk-averse.
Historically, yield curve inversions have preceded recessions and bear markets, as investors become less willing to take on risk and demand safer, lower-yielding investments. As a result, a yield curve inversion can be an important signal for traders to consider when evaluating market conditions and making investment decisions.
One historical example of a yield curve inversion preceding a market crash is the global financial crisis of 2008. In early 2007, the yield curve inverted, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond falling below the yield on the 2-year Treasury bond. This was a clear warning sign that investors were becoming increasingly concerned about the economic outlook and were seeking out safer, shorter-term investments.
As the year progressed, the financial crisis deepened, with the housing market collapsing and major financial institutions experiencing significant losses. The stock market, as measured by the S&P 500 index, reached its peak in October 2007 and then began a steep decline, eventually bottoming out in March 2009.
The yield curve inversion was just one factor contributing to the financial crisis and market crash, but it was an important warning sign that investors should have paid attention since it is currently inverted, which has historically preceded a recession within the next two years. However, the size of the inversion does not necessarily determine the severity of the recession. While the current inversion is larger than previous ones, it does not necessarily mean that the upcoming recession will be worse. In addition, the stock market's recent behavior is not indicative of a burst bubble, meaning that the potential decline in the market during the recession may not be as severe as previous ones
It's worth what you pay for it
In the first quarter of 2023, earnings will be in focus for the market. The recent sell-off in stocks, particularly those such as Amazon that have almost reached 2020 lows, has raised concerns about what will happen next. The 10-year Treasury yields have risen to their highest levels since November, which could indicate a longer period for the Federal Reserve to combat inflation and support the economy. These factors, along with the high rates of Covid outbreaks and the potential for stagflation, have contributed to the rotations seen in the market, with energy, utilities, financials, staples, healthcare, and other inflation plays performing well, while semiconductors, tech, consumer discretionary, clean energy, and solar have struggled. The VIX, or volatility index, has also reached levels similar to those seen during the Global Financial Crisis, raising concerns about a potential fear-driven market in 2023. The U.S. two-year yield and 10-year yield have also risen, with the potential for inflation to increase due to the recent Covid outbreaks and supply chain disruptions. The high yield market has also weakened, with the rejection of topping islands and a deviation from the usual two to one ratio with the S&P 500. These factors could all impact market performance in the coming year.
Fearing Futures
The US dollar futures are currently looking strong, with indications of accumulation in the market. This is supported by the recent closure of nice wick rejections off the lows and a move above 104. The two-hour chart shows evidence of accumulation at this point, with a critical bottom and big rejections at a certain level, as well as a double bottom formation. If the market breaks above 104, there is potential for a bigger trade to reach 107. Despite negative sentiment towards the US dollar recently, most trend lines show a break through. It is important to note that a strengthening US dollar may not be positive for the US stock market. Gold has been exhibiting a series of higher lows and has broken to a new high. However, it is important to be cautious when trading gold at this time of year due to large spreads and illiquidity. Gold is currently rejecting these levels and it is important to monitor the weekly chart for any potential break and close above a certain price, which could lead to a drop met by strong demand. Oil stopped at 81 and has fallen off, with wick rejections in the 81-82 range. The two-hour chart for oil is difficult to interpret at this time, with no new lows. It is important to monitor the market for a break below a certain price, which could indicate a potential move to the downside.
King Elon, the Musk
The performance of Tesla (TSLA) has been a key focus in recent market analysis. According to the provided text, TSLA has recently moved above the 104 level, indicating some form of accumulation in the market. This is supported by the presence of "nice Wick rejections" at this level and the establishment of a new high, followed by a pullback to the 618 Fibonacci level where buyers were found again. While sentiment towards the US dollar has been negative, the trend lines suggest that the currency may continue to strengthen, which may not be positive for the US stock market as a whole. However, TSLA's performance may not be directly impacted by this trend. Instead, the focus is on whether TSLA can break above the 104 level and potentially reach a bigger trade with a target of 107. It is recommended to buy dips in TSLA at this time, although caution is advised due to the potential for large spreads and illiquidity in the market around the new year. Overall, the performance of TSLA will be closely watched in the coming week, as key indicators such as long leg doji candles suggest indecision or equilibrium in the market. It is important to exercise patience and react to developments rather than attempting to predict them, as the market for TSLA may be challenging to trade in the short term. The Tesla stock price has experienced significant volatility recently, with the stock reaching new highs and then falling off. This has resulted in many traders experiencing stop loss triggers and margin calls. The market has been bearish on tech stocks, particularly those with high valuations, and this has weighed on the overall market. It remains to be seen how the market will react to Q1 earnings, but it is expected to be a significant event that could impact the direction of the market. In the meantime, traders should keep an eye on key levels and be prepared for potential volatility.
Weighing a Giant
Apple's weekly close is significant because if it goes below the low formed in June, it may indicate that the biggest stock in the world is facing significant headwinds. There may be rallies, but they may be sold due to the stock approaching key levels. The Gap close for Apple is also relevant to Amazon, which is approaching its 2020 low at around 81.33. This may cause some buyers to recommit and trigger a lot of sell signals, as well as margin a lot of people's stop losses. Semiconductors have continuously sold off due to concerns about valuations and the impact on tech stocks, particularly in the market. It is possible that this could be due to selling rumors ahead of Q1 earnings. The Dax has been more technical and has sold off after reaching a resistance level. If the market trends sideways over the next few days, it may trap options money. The US30 has held up relatively well, but it has not yet reached a new high above 33,000. There may be gaps left behind in the area between 32,500 and 33,000. The US500 has formed a bearish flag and may test its 200-day moving average. If it breaks down from this pattern, it may indicate that the market is heading lower. The Nasdaq has been underperforming and may test its 50-day moving average. The Russell 2000 has been lagging and may test its 50-day moving average. The US dollar has been in a range and may test its 200-day moving average. Gold has formed a bearish flag and may test its 200-day moving average. Oil has formed a bearish flag and may test its 50-day moving average. The 20th is a significant options expiration date with almost 5 million units, and there is a large number of puts stacked compared to calls. This may indicate that the market may rally initially and then sell off later. Bitcoin has pulled back to a key level and needs to rally through 17,000 again to potentially reach 17,500 to 17,600. However, the current outlook is negative and there is a potential for it to go lower. The market trend has been for rallies to be met with sell demand due to risk-on and risk-off assets, with Bitcoin being a risky asset. In general, it is expected to trade between $9.5k and $11.5k
See charts:
TLDR
Bond market developments and their potential impact on Q1 2023 earnings
Santa rally may not occur in 2022 due to bear market
Some stocks, such as Amazon, approaching 2020 lows
NASDAQ has experienced 20% annual drop in past, negative consequences in subsequent years
10-year treasury yields at highest levels since November, Federal Reserve may not provide support
Market prices expected to remain around current levels by end of year, some S&P predictions of 3400, 3650, 3725
Shooting star-style candle on market signals potential significant drops in S&P 500
Rotation in market performance in past month, with energy, utilities, financials, staples, healthcare performing well, and semiconductors, tech, consumer discretionary, clean energy, solar struggling
Stagflation trend reflected in performance of assets like gold and GDX
Valuation compression in clean energy sector
VIX at levels similar to Global Financial Crisis, potential fear-driven market in 2023
U.S. two-year and 10-year yields have risen, potential for inflation due to Covid outbreaks and supply chain disruptions
High yield market has weakened, rejection of topping islands and deviation from usual two
Earnings in focus for market in Q1 2023
Sell-off in stocks raises concerns about future, 10-year Treasury yields at highest levels since November
Factors such as high Covid rates and potential stagflation contributing to market rotations
Potential for additional fiscal stimulus, potential for vaccine rollouts to impact market
It is important to monitor key levels and consider protective measures for portfolios heading into 2023
If you want to continue, good luck, Chuck!
The Blackest of Rocks
In a recent article, BlackRock Vice Chairman Philipp Hildebrand explains that the Great Moderation, a four-decade period of stable activity and inflation, is over and that we are now in a new regime of greater macro and market volatility. This new regime is characterized by a recession that is foretold and central banks that are on course to overtighten policy in an effort to tame inflation, leading to persistent inflation and output volatility, rate hikes that damage economic activity, rising bond yields, and ongoing pressure on risk assets. Hildebrand and the BlackRock Investment Institute team suggest that a new investment playbook is needed to navigate this new regime, with three key themes: pricing the damage, rethinking bonds, and living with inflation. They recommend balancing views on risk appetite with estimates of how markets are pricing in economic damage, taking more granular views by focusing on sectors, regions, and sub-asset classes, and considering tactical and strategic investments in inflation-linked bonds.
According to Mr. Hildebrand and the team at BlackRock, we have entered a new regime characterized by persistent inflation and output volatility, central banks pushing policy rates to levels that damage economic activity, and ongoing pressure on risk assets. This new regime is being driven by production constraints such as aging populations leading to worker shortages and the pandemic shift in consumer spending from services to goods causing shortages and bottlenecks. Central banks' policy rates are not equipped to resolve these production constraints and are left with a trade-off between crushing demand to achieve their inflation targets and allowing for more inflation. As a result, a recession is likely on the horizon, but as the economic damage becomes more apparent, central banks may stop their rate hikes even though inflation will not fully return to target levels. There are also long-term trends such as aging populations, persistent geopolitical tensions, and the transition to net-zero carbon emissions that are expected to continue to constrain production capacity and cement this new regime.
In the report "Navigating Markets in 2023" published by BlackRock, it is noted that navigating markets in 2023 will require more frequent portfolio changes.In determining tactical portfolio outcomes, BlackRock plans to consider two assessments: their assessment of market risk sentiment and their view of the economic damage reflected in market pricing. BlackRock is currently at its most defensive stance, with options for turning more positive, especially on equities. The company is also underweight in nominal long-term government bonds in each scenario in the new regime, which is their strongest conviction in any scenario. BlackRock can turn positive in different ways, either through their assessment of market risk sentiment or their view on how much damage is reflected in market pricing.
A recession is imminent as central banks attempt to control inflation. In contrast to past recessions, loose policy will not be used to support risk assets. As a result, the traditional strategy of "buying the dip" is not applicable in this context of increased macro volatility and trade-offs. Instead, it is necessary to continuously reassess the extent to which central bank actions are damaging the economy and factoring this damage into investment decisions. In the U.S., the impact can be seen in rate-sensitive sectors, such as the housing market, as well as declining CEO confidence, delayed capital spending plans, and a depletion of consumer savings. In Europe, the energy shock is exacerbated by tightening financial conditions. The ultimate economic damage will depend on the measures taken by central banks to reduce inflation. The author's approach to tactical investment is influenced by their assessment of market participant risk appetite and the extent to which damage is reflected in equity earnings expectations and valuations. They expect central banks to stop raising rates and for activity to stabilize in 2023, but do not believe that earnings expectations currently factor in even a mild recession. As a result, the author is currently underweight on developed market (DM) equities on a tactical horizon. However, they are prepared to become more positive as valuations better reflect economic damage and risk sentiment improves.
The recent increase in yields has made fixed income assets more attractive to investors who have been seeking yield for a long period of time. Blackrock takes a specific approach to investing in this environment, rather than taking broad, aggregate exposures. They believe that the case for investment-grade credit has improved and are raising their overweight position both tactically and strategically. They believe that these assets can hold up in a recession due to the fortification of company balance sheets through debt refinancing at lower yields. Agency mortgage-backed securities, a new tactical overweight, can also serve a diversified income role. Short-term government debt is also attractive at current yields, and Blackrock has created a separate tactical view for this category. In contrast, Blackrock does not believe that long-term government bonds, which have traditionally protected portfolios during recessions, will serve this purpose in the current environment. They argue that the negative correlation between stock and bond returns has reversed, meaning that both can decline simultaneously. This is due to the likelihood that central banks will not implement rapid rate cuts during recessions that they have caused in an effort to bring down inflation to policy targets. Instead, policy rates may remain higher for longer than the market expects. Investors may also demand higher compensation, or term premium, to hold long-term government bonds due to high debt levels, increasing supply, and rising inflation. Central banks are decreasing their bond holdings and Japan may cease purchases, while governments are continuing to run deficits, leading to the private sector having to absorb more bonds. As a result, Blackrock remains underweight on long-term government bonds in both tactical and strategic portfolios.
High inflation has caused cost-of-living crises, leading central banks to take action to bring down inflation. However, there has been little discussion about the impact on growth and employment. Blackrock believes that the narrative around the "politics of inflation" is on the verge of shifting as the negative effects become more apparent and the "politics of recession" take center stage. They also believe that central banks may be forced to stop tightening in order to prevent financial cracks from becoming more severe, as seen in the UK when investors reacted negatively to fiscal stimulus plans. Despite the impending recession, Blackrock expects that inflation will persist above policy targets in the coming years. They attribute this to normalization of spending patterns and a decrease in energy prices, as well as long-term constraints such as aging populations, geopolitical fragmentation, and the transition to a low-carbon world. Blackrock's strategic views have reflected this new regime, with an overweight to inflation-protected bonds for several years. However, market expectations and economist forecasts have only recently started to acknowledge the persistence of inflation. Blackrock believes that markets are underappreciating inflation and, as a result, have a high conviction, maximum overweight to inflation-linked bonds in strategic portfolios and maintain a tactical overweight regardless of how the new regime plays out.
Blackrock says, the best way to predict the future is to examine what their companies are saying. They have a 2023 playbook that is ready to adapt quickly depending on how markets price economic damage and their risk stance evolves. Blackrock prefers short-term government bonds for income, due to the increase in yields and the reduced need to take on risk by seeking yield further out the curve. They are adding to their overweight position in investment grade credit, which they believe may be better positioned than equities to weather recessions due to higher yields and strong balance sheets. They also like U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities for their higher income and credit protection through government ownership of the issuers. Blackrock's expectation for persistent inflation relative to market pricing keeps them overweight in inflation-linked bonds. They remain underweight on long-term government bonds and overall underweight on equities, as they do not believe that the upcoming recession is fully reflected in corporate earnings expectations or valuations, and disagree with the assumption that central banks will eventually support markets with rate cuts. Instead, they plan to focus on sectoral opportunities resulting from structural transitions, such as healthcare amid aging populations, in order to add granularity while staying underweight overall. Among cyclicals, they prefer energy and financials, with energy sector earnings expected to ease from historically high levels while still holding up amid tight supply and higher interest rates benefiting bank profitability. They also like healthcare due to attractive valuations and likely cashflow resilience during downturns.
“We expect views to change more frequently than in the past. Our stance heading into 2023 is broadly risk-off, with a preference for income over equities and long-term bonds. “
The Great Moderation, which allowed for relatively stable strategic portfolios, will not be effective in the current regime. Instead, they believe that portfolios will need to be more nimble. They do not expect a return to conditions that will support a joint bull market in stocks and bonds like the one that occurred in the prior decade. They argue that the asset mix is more important now and that getting the mix wrong could be four times as costly as it was during the Great Moderation. This is because the zero or even positive correlation between the returns of stocks and bonds means that it will take higher portfolio volatility to achieve similar levels of return. Blackrock sees private markets as a core holding for institutional investors, but is broadly underweight due to the potential for valuations to fall and the expectation of better opportunities in the future. They maintain a modest overweight on developed market (DM) equities, but believe that the overall return of stocks will be greater than fixed-income assets over the coming decade. Within fixed income, they prefer to take risk in credit, specifically public credit rather than private. They remain overweight on inflation-linked bonds and underweight on nominal DM government bonds, with a preference for short maturities to generate income and avoid interest rate risk.
Blackrock says that the aging population is a significant factor in the current production constraints and will continue to be a problem in the future. As the population ages, the share of the U.S. population that is of retirement age and therefore not in the workforce is increasing. This is a major contributor to the decline in the labor force participation rate, which measures the share of the adult population that is in work or actively looking for work. The aging population is also negative for economic growth because it means that the available workforce will expand much more slowly in the coming years, leading to reduced production capacity and continued inflation pressure. Additionally, rising government spending on care for the elderly is expected to add to debt. Within equities, Blackrock views the healthcare sector as attractive due to its focus on developing medicine and equipment to meet the needs of an aging population.
To conclude their playbook:
“A bottom-up look at what our
companies are telling us is
probably the best lens we have
into the future.”
The 2023 playbook is ready to
quickly adjust depending on how
markets price economic damage
and our risk stance evolves.
They prefer short-term government
bonds for income: The jump in
yields reduces the need to take risk
by seeking yield further out the
curve. U.S. two-year Treasury yields
have soared above 10-year yields.
See the chart. They break out shortterm Treasuries as a neutral.
They add to their overweight to
investment grade credit. Higher
yields and strong balance sheets
suggest to them investment grade
credit may be better placed than
equities to weather recessions.
They like U.S. agency mortgagebacked securities (MBS) for their
higher income and because they
offer some credit protection via the
government ownership of their
issuers. And their expectation for
persistent inflation relative to
market pricing keeps them overweight
inflation-linked bonds.
Long-term government bonds
remain challenged as they have
described, so they stay underweight.
In equities, they believe recession isn’t
fully reflected in corporate earnings
expectations or valuations – and they
disagree with market assumptions
that central banks will eventually
turn supportive with rate cuts. They
look to lean into sectoral
opportunities from structural
transitions – such as healthcare
amid aging populations – as a way
to add granularity even as they stay
overall underweight. Among
cyclicals, they prefer energy and
financials. They see energy sector
earnings easing from historically
elevated levels yet holding up amid
tight energy supply. Higher interest
rates bode well for bank profitability.
They like healthcare given appealing
valuations and likely cashflow
resilience during downturns.
A new strategic approach
The Great Moderation allowed for
relatively stable strategic
portfolios. That won’t work in the
new regime: They think they will need
to be more nimble.
They don’t see a return to conditions
that will sustain a joint bull market
in stocks and bonds of the kind they
experienced in the prior decade.
The asset mix has always been
important, yet their analysis posits
that getting the mix wrong could be
as much as four times as costly as
versus the Great Moderation. See
the difference between the orange
bar and yellow markers on the
chart. Zero or even positive
correlation between the returns of
stocks and bonds means it will take
higher portfolio volatility to achieve
similar levels of return as before.
They see private markets as a core
holding for institutional investors.
The asset class isn’t immune to
macro volatility and they are broadly
underweight as they think valuations
could fall, suggesting better
opportunities in coming years than
Now.
To read their full report with graphics see this link:
www.blackrock.com
Fear the VIX
If you're a bear on the market, a VIX at 45 might have you doing a happy dance - but for bulls, it could be a different story. The S&P 500 index is a widely-recognized measure of the performance of 500 large publicly-traded companies in the United States. It is often used as a benchmark for the overall health of the U.S. stock market and has generated an average annual return of around 9% since its inception in 1957. The index reached an all-time high in early 2020 but experienced a steep decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, although it has since recovered much of those losses and is currently trading near all-time highs.
The CBOE Volatility Index, or VIX, is a measure of the expected volatility of the S&P 500 index over the next 30 days. It is calculated using option prices on the S&P 500 index and is commonly referred to as the "fear index." A high VIX suggests that investors expect the stock market to be more volatile in the near future, while a low VIX indicates that investors expect relatively stable market conditions.
For a bearish investor, or someone who expects stock prices to fall, a high VIX may be viewed as an opportunity to profit from falling stock prices. This is because a high VIX can be a sign of increased uncertainty or fear in the market, which may be caused by negative factors such as economic recession, geopolitical tensions, or natural disasters. On the other hand, a high VIX may be seen as a warning sign for bullish investors, who may decide to reduce their exposure to the stock market or implement protective measures to mitigate the potential impact of market volatility.
However, it's worth noting that the VIX is not a perfect indicator of market conditions and can be influenced by a range of factors beyond just the level of fear or uncertainty in the market. Additionally, a longer-term mindset bull, or someone with a long-term bullish outlook on the stock market, may actually welcome a spike in the VIX as it can sometimes signify a market bottom, or a point at which stock prices have reached a low point and are likely to start rising again. In this case, the high VIX may be viewed as an opportunity to buy into the market at a discounted price, with the expectation of generating returns over the long run. As such, it's important for investors to consider their individual investment goals and horizon when evaluating the significance of the VIX and other market indicators.
On the Chart Al La Carte
On the chart, we can see the daily movements of both the S&P 500 index (SPX) and the VIX. Historically, there has been a correlation between a spike in the VIX and a market bottom in the SPX. One of the most notable examples of this relationship was during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2020, when the VIX reached over 80. The reversal of the VIX marked the bottom of the market on March 16, 2020, a few days before the SPX hit its bottom on March 23.
Since the GFC, we have seen similar, although smaller, spikes in the VIX and corresponding market bottoms. These include October 28, 2020, January 24, 2022, March 8, 2022, March 19, 2022, June 16, 2022, and October 12, 2022. It's important to watch for divergence between the VIX and the SPX to understand if a market bottom may be forming.
See chart
One strategy that some investors use is to watch for divergence between the VIX and the SPX. When the VIX is rising and the SPX is falling, it may be a sign that the market is approaching a bottom. Conversely, when the VIX is falling and the SPX is rising, it may indicate that the market has reached a bottom and is starting to recover.
One example of divergence between the SPX and VIX occurred in late 2018, when the SPX was in a long-term uptrend and the VIX was trending downwards. This divergence may have indicated that the market was approaching a top and that investors should be cautious about taking on additional risk.
Another example of divergence occurred in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SPX experienced a steep decline due to the economic impact of the pandemic, while the VIX spiked to over 80. This divergence may have indicated that the market was approaching a bottom and that it was a good time for investors to start looking for opportunities to buy into the market.
One example of a technical analysis tool that can be used to understand the relationship between the SPX and the VIX is the "Vix_Fix" indicator. This indicator uses a number of inputs, including the lookback period for standard deviation, the Bollinger Band length, the Bollinger Band standard deviation, the lookback period for percentile, and the highest and lowest percentiles, to calculate the Williams Vix Fix (WVF). The WVF is a measure of the momentum of the SPX and is plotted on the chart as a histogram. The "Vix_Fix" indicator can be used to identify periods of divergence between the SPX and the VIX, as well as to identify potential points of market reversal. When the SPX is pushing lower and the VIX is pushing higher, it may be a sign that the market is approaching a bottom. Conversely, when the SPX is rising and the VIX is falling, it may indicate that the market has reached a bottom and is starting to recover.
See chart
In conclusion, it is important for investors to keep track of various economic indicators, such as the S&P 500 index, VIX, federal fund rate, and yield curve, in order to make informed investment decisions. While a bear market may be welcomed by some investors, it is important to consider the potential impact on the economy and individual investments. Understanding the historical trends and correlations between these indicators can help investors navigate bear markets and make the most of their investment strategy. It is also crucial to consider a range of factors and not rely on a single source of information when making investment decisions. Overall, staying informed and understanding the market can help investors make the most of their investments, even during a bear market.
If you made it this far, congratulations, you are one dedicated reader and thank you for your time!
DXY is about to rip all the markets apartThat green line is a 22 year resistance and we broke it recently. What happens when a level is broken and bullishly retested?? Well, it usually reacts in that trend. And the trend for DXY is very bullish. More bullish than we have seen since the 1980’s. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. You can’t really trade DXY, but this means all stocks, cryptos, and other markets that store your cash will be hammered. The Dollar is going to strengthen during a time we have all thought otherwise. As this trend continues you will see equities bleed, crypto markets tank, and yes maybe even real estate effected. Stack your cash and get ready to invest. We will analyze “Dixie’s” movements to give you a weekly analysis on what to expect. Get ready for an opportunity filled 2023. Don’t invest blindly and don’t buy anything without doing your own research. This is just one of many points of views on market movements and trends out there. Safe and happy trading!!!
USDJPY buying opportunity | 23 December 2022On the H8 timeframe, USDJPY came to test the 134.500 support level twice before a surprise move by the Bank of Japan sent prices sharply down. On 20 December, the BOJ announced that it would loosen its 10 year bond yield cap from 0.25% to 0.5%. This caught investors completely off guard, and the yield rate subsequently jumped to 0.499%, its highest level since 2015, leading USDJPY to break through the 134.500 support level on the back of a strengthening Yen. USDJPY has settled at the 131.800 support level which coincides with the 161.8% Fibonacci retracement after a significant round of price correction, as investors recalibrate their outlook on Japanese fixed income securities. Price was recently buoyed by upbeat US economic data, where the release of inflation data on 23 Dec could finally trigger a retracement to the previous 134.500 support turned resistance level which coincides with the 100% Fibonacci extension. We expect price to approach the 131.800 support level as our Entry point, which will temporarily retrace to 134.500 where we will Take Profit and exit the trade before USDJPY extends its overall bearish trend in the longer term. We have placed our stop loss at the historical support level of 130.500, which could be approached if the PCE Price Index comes in higher than market expectations. Stochastic RSI has just re-emerged from the oversold region, while prices dipped below the lower bound of the Bollinger Bands, supporting our bullish bias.
The Yen reacted strongly to the initial jump in JGB yields. Higher JGB yields have boosted expectations of greater investment levels in the Japanese bond market as its differential with other securities on the global bond market narrows, which would strengthen the Yen against the Dollar. This is especially the case because low interest rates and bond yields had previously driven out a significant volume of capital to the extent that Japan became the largest holder of US government bonds, owning almost USD $1.3 Trillion of debt. With a narrower yield differential, there is hope that some capital might return home. However, the BOJ’s subsequent statements that it would continue to step up bond buying saw a sharp reversal in yield rates from a peak of 0.499% to its current rate of 0.382%, which could see further declines in the form of a price correction from the market’s initial knee-jerk reaction. This could dampen some of the Yen’s strengthening, which could give a further boost to USDJPY in the short term.
US10Y The 1D MA50 is the key. So far rejected.The U.S. Government Bonds 10YR Yield (US10Y) has gone a long way since our top prediction two months ago and the update 5 days ago (4H time-frame):
Now back to the 1D time-frame, the price has started rising since the December 07 Low, exactly at the bottom (Higher Lows trend-line) of the long-term Channel Up, around the 1D MA100 (green trend-line). So far this is quite similar to the early August rise. The 1D RSI has hit the 1 year Support Zone twice, again as in the last (August 02) Higher Low.
In order to extend selling the US10Y, we ideally need to see the 1D MA200 (orange trend-line) break, which is holding as Support since December 29 2021, and in that case we will target initially the 2.510% (August 02 Low) Support and then the 1W MA100 (red trend-line).
A closing above the 1D MA50 (blue trend-line) though, should restore the long-term bullish trend and will be our buy break-out signal to enter and target the 4.340% (October 21 High) Resistance. So far the 1D MA50 seems to get rejected.
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EURAUD - Long EOD set upThe technicals give me the signal but if anyone is interested in rate hikes and fundamentals, may be take a slice of advice from Bank of America.
© Oliver Levingston
Merrill Lynch (Australia)
oliverllewellyn.levingston@bofa.com
• The RBA will likely deliver a third consecutive 25bp hike next week. A cooler monthly inflation print has investors betting on a lower terminal rate in 2023
• The AU curve still looks too steep and we see inflation risks as increasingly skewed to the upside.
Slowing down, not a slowdown
We expect the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to hike the cash rate by another 25bp to 3.1% at its 6 December meeting. Markets are pricing in a 76% chance of a 25bps hike (24% chance of a pause) as at the time of writing. The message will echo its determination to keep the economy on ‘an even keel’, balancing the challenge of suppressing rising inflation with the risk that rate hikes could tip the economy into recession.
The RBA has moved cautiously on rate hikes: not only was it slow to lift off, waiting until May 2022 to do so; it also surprised markets by downshifting to a 25bp hike in October, becoming the first major DM central bank to slowdown the pace of rate increases. It then stuck to its gradual hiking pace at its November meeting, despite a strong 3Q CPI print (see RBA review: Sticking to 25, 1 November 2022). The RBA has cited the high frequency of its meetings – the RBA meets 11 times, the FOMC and ECB each have 8 meetings scheduled per year – as a reason why it can afford to take a gradual approach.
Market pricing reflects increasingly dovish sentiment – markets are now pricing rates to rise to just 3.5% in mid-2023, down about 30bps in a month. Optimism on rates grew after the RBA’s monthly CPI for October, released on 30 November, showed both the headline inflation slowing to 6.9%YoY (vs. 7.3% in Sep) and the trimmed mean measure easing to 5.3%YoY (5.4% in Sep). However, we caution that for October, the new monthly series contains only 62% of the price data used in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) quarterly CPI – it omits, for example, new information on many administered prices such as utilities, which are not priced until the final month of the quarter.
For these reasons, the RBA has stated that “the quarterly CPI is likely to remain the principal measure of CPI inflation in Australia for the foreseeable future,”1 making it premature to call for a peaking in inflation based on the October monthly CPI print. Nor does it change the fact that inflation is likely to remain well above the RBA’s target band of 2-3%.
Yet the RBA will likely remain less hawkish than its counterparts overseas. Australia’s Wage Price Index (WPI) has only recently started to pick up above 3%. The RBA does not yet see signs of a wage-price spiral, though it has stressed the need to remain vigilant. It noted in its November Statement on Monetary Policy (SMP) that “reports of higher labour costs contributing to price increases have so far been largely contained to price increases have so far been largely contained to a few specific sectors.” A softer retail trade print (-0/2% MoM) and Governor Lowe’s apology before the Senate for the RBA’s (abandoned) promise to hold interest rates steady out to 2024 have added to growing expectations of a lower terminal RBA rate.
For these reasons, the risk of a recession in AU in 2023 remains a low probability and the risks to inflation remain skewed to the upside, in our view. The RBA’s restrained approach, sustained strength in the labour market and a continued boost from a record term of trade make an economic contraction less likely than peers. We do not have cuts in our profile.
Waiting for the wave
The main risk reflected in market pricing and the RBA’s published commentary is that households have not yet sustained the full impact of rate hikes. We have pencilled in hikes until May 2023 just before the mortgage rate reset wave accelerates in mid-2023. The maturity profile of fixed-rate mortgages taken out when lending rates were as low as 2% suggests the “cliff” may have traction. The line of questioning at Governor Lowe’s attendance before the Senate Economics Legislation Committee and public speeches from the RBA confirm that fixed-rate mortgage resets are at the front of their minds when they consider risks to the economy.
Yet Australia continues to enjoy meaningful protection from downside risks, in our view. A positive terms-of-trade shock that has reduced Australian Government funding requirements also means the challenges of housing headwinds should be easy for policymakers to counteract should we see signs of household distress in 2023. At the same time, a long period of low unemployment is likely to generate higher wages and partly offset the dampening effect of rising loan payments on consumer demand, reducing the risk of a housing-led downturn. On the upside, the prospects of a substantial shift away from COVID Zero policies in China continue to gather pace as a steady stream of announcements suggest the country is like to gradually reopen in 2023. The Chinese reopening could boost Australian GDP and increase the scope for the RBA to tighten rates further.
We see the RBA holding rates at 4.1% from May 2023. A rise in cash rates and signs of economic resilience should mean a flatter curve. We have also maintained a view that the AU 2s10s curve is too steep relative to other developed markets (a positive slope of 40bp for AU government bonds compared to -72 for the US). We continue to like a box flattener (AU steepener vs US flattener) and outright AU curve flatteners.
Anyone Out There!? 😁😂👨💻😈#criticalthinking 🧠🔑🤯
Something that means more and more to those listening... FTX! Binance! So on and so too many to name interesting we are here now. Any of you feel skined and thrown about by your leaders and gurus? Have you found new leaders to fill the void the absence of comunity? Be on the watch these leaders are your adversary playing a a friend with a care for the crowd..!
Soon many more will show themselves.
From #SBF to even your favorite, Mr. #bitboycrypto plus too many to count. You have been led astray for their own personal gain... We have seen this before: Are #hexicans safe? #Scam or #cult what's the difference in #crypto maybe it's all to get rich quick??
So, with the development of GPT3.5 #ChatGPT the screaming reason #CriticalThinkingMatters 😎
Don't be misled the #GetRichQuickGurus are out there.. !
No Advice to give just thoughts that I can't shake after the last 8 years in the world of "CRYPTO"
Things 🤷♂️ #Fixed IDK Protect Your Neck!
""KEEP CALM AND MANAGE THY RISK!""
I am The CoinSLayer 👨💻😈
THE IMPACT OF INTEREST RATES ON FOREX MARKETHello again! Interest rates can have a significant impact on the forex market , as they can affect the demand for and supply of different currencies. In general, higher interest rates tend to attract foreign investment and increase the demand for a currency, as investors can earn a higher return on their investments. This can lead to an appreciation of the currency in the foreign exchange market.
On the other hand, lower interest rates may discourage foreign investment and reduce the demand for a currency, leading to a depreciation of the currency in the forex market.
Interest rates can also affect the attractiveness of a country's assets, such as stocks and bonds, which can in turn affect the demand for its currency. For example, if a country has high interest rates, its assets may be more attractive to foreign investors, leading to an increase in demand for the country's currency.
In addition to the interest rate level, the direction and pace of change in interest rates can also affect the forex market. If a central bank is expected to increase interest rates in the near future, it may lead to an appreciation of the currency, as investors anticipate higher returns on their investments. On the other hand, if a central bank is expected to lower interest rates, it may lead to a depreciation of the currency.
Overall, the relationship between interest rates and the forex market is complex and can be influenced by a variety of factors, including economic conditions, inflation expectations, and global market conditions.
TBT Ultrashort Treasuries Ready to ReverseFrom the chart, the uptrend from the market top November 2021 peaked and reversed from
a double top. Now on the downtrend , it has hit the Fib 0.5 level of the retracement.
I look for a reversal to the upside now as that Fib level is tested and holding.
I will play this with some call option contracts with an expiration in 4 weeks.
US10Y Critical point, break or hold on the Channel bottom!The U.S. Government Bonds 10YR Yield ( US10Y ) has gone a long way since our top prediction two months ago and the update 20 days ago (4H time-frame):
Now back to the 1D time-frame, the price is exactly at the bottom (Higher Lows trend-line) of the long-term Channel Up, below the 1D MA100 (green trend-line), which is where the last bottom was priced. The 1D RSI has hit the 1 year Support Zone twice, again as in the last (August 02) Higher Low and it remains to be seen if the price reacts with a bounce. So far the move is much weaker than in August.
In order to extend our selling we ideally need to see the 1D MA200 (orange trend-line) break, which is holding as Support since December 29 2021, and in that case we will target initially the 2.510% (August 02 Low) Support and then the 1W MA100 (red trend-line).
A closing above the 1D MA50 (blue trend-line) though, should restore the long-term bullish trend and will be our buy break-out signal to enter and target the 4.340% (OCtober 21 High) Resistance.
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$USDNOK - Now we wait...$USDNOK - Now we wait...
Another week for us traders to take advantage of
Excellent set up for usdnok - now we wait for a break to either direction we do have key fundamental data this week. Will Powell be as before dovish or will he hawkish as well as that softer cpi coming our way expected and then taking into consideration the technical view of usdnok it's not bad R/R either direction.
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