Friday, August 14, 2020

The Morning Call---An end to central banks' inflationary policies is not in sight

 

The Morning Call

 

8/14/20

 

The Market

         

    Technical

 

The Averages  (27896, 3373) sold off yesterday, again probably reflecting the negative factors that I have been listing over the last week: (1) both of the indices made two gap up opens last week that need to be filled, (2) the VIX continues to reflect investor concern and (3) breadth remains in overbought territory.  So, some downside/consolidation seems probable although it still may not occur until the Averages (or, at least, the S&P) challenge their all-time highs (29568/3393).  Nonetheless, I am sticking with my assumption that the Market’s bias remains to the upside long term.

                        https://sentimentrader.com/blog/us-stocks-are-valued-more-than-almost-half-of-global-economic-output/

 

Gold partially recovered from Tuesday’s shellacking, remaining in the uptrend off its June low but still not closing that that huge gap down open.  On the other hand, TLT got whacked again, finishing below its 100 DMA (now support; if it remains there through the close on Monday, it will revert to resistance.  While its long term chart is strong, as I noted yesterday, this pin action is the first sign of technical weakness and could be sending a signal of rising rates/inflation.   The dollar was down again but not enough to close last week’s big gap up open.   

 

            30 Year auction bombs.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/treasuries-tumble-after-dismal-30y-auction-shocks-traders

 

            Dollar sensationalism.

            https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/dollar-decline-exaggerated-by-barry-eichengreen-2020-07

 

            Thursday in the charts.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/bonds-stocks-battered-after-bombed-auction-silver-soars

 

    Fundamental

 

       Headlines

 

              The Economy

 

                        US

 

July retail sales rose 1.2% versus estimates of 1.9%; ex autos, they were up 1.9% versus 1.3%.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/electronics-spending-sends-us-retail-sales-soaring

 

 

Q2 nonfarm productivity was up 7.3% versus consensus of up 1.5%; unit labor costs were also up 12.2% versus up 6.2%

 

                        International

 

The June EU trade balance was E21.1 billion versus expectations of E12.6 billion; Q2 GDP fell 12.1%, in line, employment declined 2.8% versus -1.7%.

 

July Chinese YoY industrial production came in at +4.8% versus forecasts of +5.1%, retail sales were -1.1% versus +0.1%, fixed asset investment was -1.6%, in line; July unemployment was 5.7%, also in line.

https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/chinese-econ-data-dump-unexpectedly-bombs-industrial-production-retail-sales-miss

 

                        Other

 

                          The economy is re-knitting itself.

                          https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-economy-is-reknitting-itself-so-leave-it-alone

 

                          As of August 8th, hotel occupancy is down 33% YoY.

                          https://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2020/08/hotels-occupancy-rate-declined-33-year.html

 

            The coronavirus

 

              ***overnight update.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/paris-placed-red-alert-german-covid-19-cases-spike-second-wave-fears-rattle-europe

 

              More from Sweden.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/sweden-hit-rare-covid-triple-whammy-no-lockdowns-low-deaths-minimal-economic-damage

 

            The Fed

 

              The money illusion.

              https://www.themoneyillusion.com/the-bubble-century/

 

              The Fed is considering direct money transfers.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/preview-feds-coming-direct-money-transfers-brainard-says-fed-collaborating-mit-hypothetical

 

In transformational shift, the Bank of Japan starts unwinding its negative interest       rate policy (must read).

              https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/transformation-shift-boj-gives-negative-rates-it-now-pays-banks-lend

 

            China

 

              US/China trade stalled in June.

              https://politicalcalculations.blogspot.com/2020/08/us-china-trade-recovery-stalls-in-june.html#.XzWCqehKiM8

 

              China fears of currency decoupling rise.

              https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-decoupling-analysis/in-china-fears-of-financial-iron-curtain-as-u-s-tensions-rise-idUSKCN2590NJ

 

            Bottom line.  An end to central banks’ inflationary policies is not in sight.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/political/gold-prices-show-theres-big-short-going-official-currencies

 

              Thoughts on current retail trading.

              https://www.epsilontheory.com/cant-fight-this-feeling/

 

              For the optimists (must read).

              http://blog.yardeni.com/2020/08/another-roaring-twenties-may-be-ahead.html

 

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

 

 

What I am reading today

 

            Expiring versus permanent skills.

            https://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/expiring-vs-permanent-skills/

 

            Waging war against the Constitution.

            https://townhall.com/columnists/victordavishanson/2020/08/13/democrats-are-waging-war-against-tradition-and-the-constitution-n2574188

 

            Tax guide for working at home.

            https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/08/12/taxes-vpns-and-office-hours-the-ultimate-forbes-guide-to-working-from-home/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailydozen&cdlcid=5d01057f1802c8c524bb7dcd#26cef13e42e7

 

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