Tag: Core CPI

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Bears out in force

Bears continue to dominate equity markets. Patches of support are visible across North America, Europe and Asia but this is likely to be a secondary rally rather than a trend change.

The Russian bear is also playing up. This time in Syria. Senator John McCain sums up the escalating crisis in the Middle East in this 15-minute video.

North America

The S&P 500 respected support between 1870 and 1900, rallying toward another test of resistance at 2000. The 21-day Twiggs Money Flow peak just above zero continues to indicate (medium-term) selling pressure. Recovery above 2000 is unlikely, but would signal a relieving rally. Breach of support at 1870 would confirm the primary down-trend.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1900 – ( 2000 – 1900 ) = 1800

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) holding above 20 indicates elevated market risk.

S&P 500 VIX

NYSE short sales remain subdued.

Dow Jones Industrial Average is testing support at 16000. Long tails on the last two weekly candles and recovery of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero indicate strong support. Breach of 16000 would confirm a primary down-trend but we are likely to see a (secondary) bear rally beforehand.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

Bellwether transport stock Fedex continues to warn of a contraction in economic activity.

Fedex

And retail sales growth remains subdued.

Retail Sales and Core CPI

A long tail on Canada’s TSX 60 indicates continued support despite the breach of 790. Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero indicates a primary down-trend. Recovery above 820 is unlikely, but would suggest a bear trap.

TSX 60 Index

* Target calculation: 800 – ( 900 – 800 ) = 700

Europe

Germany’s DAX signals a primary down-trend, but appears to have found secondary support at 9500. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero would suggest a bear rally.

DAX

The Footsie found strong support at 6000, with long tails and 13-week Twiggs Money Flow recovering above zero. Penetration of the descending trendline is unlikely but would warn of a bear trap. Breach of support at 6000 is more likely and would confirm the primary down-trend.

FTSE 100

Asia

The Shanghai Composite Index continues to test government-enforced support at 3000. Recovery above 3500 is most unlikely. Breach of 3000 would warn of another sharp sell-off.

Dow Jones Shanghai Index

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index broke support at 21000, confirming the primary down-trend — signaled earlier by 13-week Twiggs Money Flow.

Hang Seng Index

Japan’s Nikkei 225 is testing primary support between 16500 and 17000. Gradual decline on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests a secondary correction, but reversal of 13-week Momentum below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Breach of 16500 would confirm.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 17500 – ( 19000 – 17500 ) = 16000

India’s Sensex found support at 25000 before testing resistance at 26500. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero indicates strong buying pressure. Recovery above 26500 would warn of a bear trap. Reversal below 25000 is less likely, but would confirm the primary down-trend.

SENSEX

* Target calculation: 25000 – ( 26500 – 25000 ) = 23500

Australia

The ASX 200 also shows solid support at 5000, with rising 21-Day Twiggs Money Flow indicating medium-term buying pressure. Recovery above 5200 would indicate a bear rally. Breach of 5000 remains likely, however, and would confirm the primary down-trend.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5000 – ( 5400 – 5000 ) = 4600


More….

Gold and Treasury yields decline as inflation weakens

Sen. John McCain on Russia’s airstrikes in Syria

Japan abandons Fed-style inflation targeting and targets GDP growth instead

Deflation supercycle is over as world runs out of workers | Telegraph

Australia: Latest SMSF statistics | FINSIA

I think anybody who is a great investor, a good investor, a successful investor has to be a person who can be both aggressive and defensive….. have enough fear to have the caution. But you can’t let the fear control you.

~ Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates

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Gold: No flight to safety

US inflation remains subdued with core CPI hovering below 2.0 percent.

Core CPI

Treasury yields remain weak, with the 10-year yield testing support between 1.85 and 2.0 percent.

10-Year Treasury Yields

That gives a real yield, after deducting core CPI, of close to zero on a 10-year investment.

10-Year Treasury Yield minus Core CPI

Abraham Maslow wrote in the 1960s: “I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.” His description certainly applies to the Fed who have used monetary policy extensively to fix a problem for which it was not intended. Interest rates were driven down to unsustainable levels, with questionable results. My concern is that maintaining rates close to zero for close to seven years could breed a host of unforeseen problems.

What is really needed is a Keynesian solution: government investment in productive infrastructure. But neither party is likely to succeed in winning approval for this.

The Dollar Index is ranging between 93 and 98. Increased interest rates or falling inflation would suggest an upward breakout. Flight to safety would drive yields downward. But the biggest factor that may drive up yields could be a Chinese sell-off of foreign reserves (largely Treasury investments) in order to support the Yuan or spend on infrastructure to revive their economy.

Dollar Index

There is no flight to the safety of gold as yet. The Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold miners, is testing primary support at 105. Twiggs Momentum (13 week) peaks below zero indicate a strong down-trend.

Gold Bugs Index

Spot gold fared a little better, but is likely to test primary support at $1080 per ounce. Again, declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum, with peaks below zero, signals a strong down-trend. Breach of support at $1080 would offer a target of $1000/ounce*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

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Will the Fed hike rates?

The market eagerly awaits the decision of the Fed Open Market Committee (FOMC) on whether to lift the target interest rate (FFR) from its 0.00 – 0.25 percent range maintained since the dark days of 2008.

Core CPI

Core CPI remains subdued at 1.83 percent for the 12 months to August — close to its 2 percent target — so there is no urgency to increase rates despite a strengthening job market.

The act of revising the target rate is largely symbolic. There is no doubt that the economy can withstand an increase in the Fed Funds Rate to 0.5%. But commencement of a tightening cycle may scare an already jittery market. There is a fairly equal split amongst economists as to whether the Fed should proceed with the rate rise or not. My guess is that the Fed will opt for a bet each way, with a wider target range (say 0.00 to 0.50 percent) or a reduced increment (say 0.10 to 0.30 percent). The effective FFR is currently sitting at 0.14 percent and I am sure the Fed’s plan is to continue with a gradual increase over time and no sudden movements.

Effective Fed Funds Rate

The S&P 500 is testing resistance at 2000 after a higher trough and rising 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicate buying pressure. Recovery above 2000 would signal a relieving rally, while respect of resistance would suggest another test of support at 1900.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1900 – ( 2000 – 1900 ) = 1800

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) indicates market risk is declining.

S&P 500 VIX

NYSE short sales are also declining.

NYSE Short Sales

Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above resistance at 16700. Follow-through after the FOMC decision would confirm a relieving rally. Reversal below 16600 would warn of another test of 16000. Failure of support at 16000 is unlikely, but would signal a primary down-trend. Recovery of 21-day Twiggs Money Flow above zero indicates medium-term buying pressure.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

Canada’s TSX 60 recovered above 800, indicating solid support between 790 and 800. Recovery above 820 and the descending channel would signal that the correction has ended. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum would strengthen the signal, while recovery above zero would confirm.

TSX 60 Index

* Target calculation: 800 – ( 900 – 800 ) = 700

Europe

Germany’s DAX found support at 10000. Recovery above 10500 would suggest a relieving rally, but only follow-through above the descending trendline and resistance at 11000 would confirm. Respect of the zero line by 13-week Twiggs Money Flow is a bullish sign; completion of a trough above zero would confirm long-term buying pressure.

DAX

The Footsie similarly found support at 6000. Recovery above 6300 would indicate a relieving rally. Penetration of the descending trendline would confirm.

FTSE 100

Asia

The Shanghai Composite Index continues to test (enforced) support at 3000. Recovery above 3500 is unlikely, but would indicate that the crisis has passed.

Dow Jones Shanghai Index

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index found support at 21000 and is likely to test the former primary support level at 23000. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow below zero indicates long-term selling pressure, but recovery above zero would suggest a false signal. Breakout above 23000 and the descending trendline is unlikely, but would signal that the down-trend is over.

Hang Seng Index

Japan’s Nikkei 225 found support at 17500. Recovery above 19000 would signal a rally to test resistance at 21000. The gradual decline on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests medium-term selling pressure rather than a primary (long-term) shift.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 19000 + ( 19000 – 17500 ) = 20500

India’s Sensex is headed for a test of the new resistance level at 26500. The primary trend is downward. Respect of the zero line by 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Recovery above 26500 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap. Respect of resistance remains more likely and would suggest another decline.

SENSEX

* Target calculation: 25000 – ( 26500 – 25000 ) = 23500

Australia

The ASX 200 continues to test primary support at 5000. 21-Day Twiggs Money Flow oscillating around zero indicates uncertainty. Breach of 5000 would confirm a primary down-trend. Recovery above 5300 is less likely, but would indicate a bear rally.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5000 – ( 5400 – 5000 ) = 4600

Just a word of caution. Relieving rallies can (and often do) fail. Probability of a continued primary up-trend will only improve once support levels have been tested. Early movers always face greater uncertainty. Which is why our long-term portfolios continue to hold high levels of cash.


More….

Why Europe Failed

Not much wrong with the US economy

NYSE short sales easing

Marcus Miller & Eric Clapton [music]

You really wonder why leaders want these jobs when they really do not want to lead. And what is their risk? That Barack Obama will not get a second term? Or that Angela Merkel’s coalition might finally end up on the rocks? If they actually made the leap they might astound themselves. Because, in the end, everyone in political life gets carried out — the only relevant question is whether the pallbearers will be crying.

~ Paul Keating, 24th Prime Minister of Australia (2011)

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Dollar strengthens on low inflation

Core CPI continues to hover below the Fed’s 2.0% target, while plunging oil prices keep the broad index close to zero. Core CPI is likely to weaken as the beneficial effect of lower energy costs flows through to all sectors of the economy.

CPI and Core CPI

We often read of the threat of impending deflation — which may well occur. But one needs to differentiate between deflation caused by a surge in aggregate supply, as in the present situation, and a fall in aggregate demand as in 2008. The former may well act as a stimulus to the global economy, while the latter threatens a negative feedback loop between income and consumption which can lead to substantial falls in output.

Low inflation takes pressure off the Fed to raise interest rates but we can expect the first increment later this year. 10-Year Treasury yields respected the rising trendline and support at 2.10%, suggesting another test of 2.50%.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The higher trough on the Dollar Index indicates buying pressure and breakout above 98 would signal another test of 100. In the longer term, breakout above 100 would signal resumption of the primary up-trend but is likely to meet push-back from the Fed as a higher dollar would hurt both exporters and domestic producers competing against imports.

Dollar Index

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Interest rates and inflation hurt gold prices

Where is inflation headed? The five-year breakeven rate (5-Year Treasury Yield minus 5-year TIPS) is hovering around 1.80 percent, close to the latest readings for core CPI. The market is anticipating low inflation for the next few years.

Five-year Breakeven Rate and Core CPI

Long-term interest rates are rising in anticipation of Fed tightening. 10-Year Treasury yields, in a primary up-trend, are retracing to test their new support level at 2.25%. Respect is likely and would signal an advance to long-term resistance at 3.0 percent. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum crossed above zero, strengthening the signal.

10-Year Treasury Yields

Gold

Low inflation reduces demand for gold as an inflation-hedge, while rising interest rates increase its carrying cost for speculators and the opportunity cost for investors. These factors are exerting downward pressure on gold prices. The spot price recovered above medium-term support at $1180/ounce, but the breach continues to warn of a test of the primary level at $1140. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaking below zero also suggests continuation of the primary down-trend. Failure of $1140 would offer a long-term target of $1000*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

The Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, is testing primary support at 155. Breach of support would strengthen the warning.

Gold Bugs Index

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Gold breaks $1180 support

Core CPI continues to track close to the Fed target of 2.0 percent (CPI All Items is distorted by falling oil prices).

CPI and Core CPI

Long-term interest rates are in a primary up-trend, with 10-year Treasury note yields breakout above resistance at 2.25% offering a target of 3.0 percent. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero strengthens the signal.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar Index continues to test support at 95. Breach would warn of a test of the primary level (and rising trendline) at 93. A sharp decline on 13-Week Twiggs Momentum indicates this is likely.

Dollar Index

Gold

A weakening dollar would boost demand for gold, but rising interest rates counter this. Spot gold broke medium-term support at $1180/ounce, warning of a test of the primary level at $1140. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaks below zero suggest continuation of the primary down-trend. Failure of $1140 would offer a long-term target of $1000*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

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Inflation steady while Gold tests support

CPI continues below zero, but core CPI (excluding food and energy) came in at 1.81% for April 2015, indicating long-term inflationary pressures are constant.

CPI and Core CPI

Low inflation relieves upward pressure on bond yields. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes encountered resistance at 2.25%, with tall shadows on the last 3 weekly candles. Expect another retracement to test support at 1.85%. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero would strengthen the signal.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 2.25 + ( 2.25 – 1.85 ) = 2.65

The Dollar Index broke resistance at 96 despite falling bond yields, indicating the correction is over and another test of 100 likely. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum is declining, but recovery above the descending trendline would support the (bull) signal. Reversal below 96 is unlikely, but would test support at 93.

Dollar Index

Gold

The inflation-adjusted price of gold (gold/CPI) suggests that gold has further to fall. Unusually high levels of intervention by central banks in financial markets may, however, be fueling support at current prices — suggesting a gradual decline rather than a sharp adjustment.

Gold/CPI

Spot gold is headed for another test of medium-term support at $1180/ounce after respecting resistance at $1220. Breach of support would test the primary level at $1140. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaks below zero suggest a primary down-trend. Failure of $1140 would test the long-term target of $1000*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

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US GDP: Where is it headed?

I originally got this from Matt Busigin (I think). Average Hourly Earnings multiplied by Average Weekly Hours (Total Private: Nonfarm) gives a pretty good indication of where GDP is headed, well ahead of the BEA accounts.

Nominal GDP compared to Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees (Total Private) multiplied by Average Weekly Hours (Total Private Nonfarm)

Remember this is nominal GDP, so the latest (April 2015) figure of 4.38% would need to be adjusted for inflation. Inflation is somewhere between 0.5% and 1.75% depending on how you measure it. The GDP deflator looks like it will come in below 1.0% which would leave us with real GDP of at least 3.38% p.a.

GDP Price Deflator compared to Core CPI

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Inflation and Dollar stable

March CPI readings were much as expected, with the annual rate at zero but core CPI (excluding food and energy) close to the Fed target of 2 percent.

Core CPI

Ten-year Treasury Note yields continue to consolidate in a narrow band between 1.85% and 2.00%. Breakout above resistance is more likely and would offer a target of 2.25%. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero continues to indicate a primary down-trend. Recovery of long-term yields is likely to be gradual for two reasons:

  1. The Fed is adopting a cautious stance towards lifting short-term rates; and
  2. Downward pressure exerted on long-term yields by offshore (Chinese & Japanese) purchases of Treasury securities (with the intent of suppressing appreciation of their exchange rates).

10-Year Treasury Yields

A stable inflation rate and low interest rate outlook have kept the Dollar Index range-bound between 96 and 100. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum continues to indicate a strong primary up-trend. Breakout above 100 would signal an advance to 110*. Failure of support at 96 is unlikely.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 90 ) = 110

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Inflation outlook

March consumer price index (CPI) is due for release on Friday. Producer prices, released Tuesday, ticked upwards after a sharp December/January fall on the back of plunging crude oil prices.

PPI Finished Goods

Average hourly earnings growth (non-supervisory manufacturing jobs), however, retreated below 1.0%.

Average Hourly Earnings

CPI is likely to remain heavily affected by oil prices, but core CPI (excluding food and energy) is expected to remain close to the Fed’s target of 2.0%.

CPI and Core CPI

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