Thursday, June 16, 2022

The Morning Call---Color me skeptical

 

The Morning Call

 

6/16/22

 

 

The Market

         

    Technical

 

            Wednesday in the charts.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/stocks-bonds-bullion-rally-after-perjuring-powells-presser

 

            The VIX not buying the latest bear move.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/c3blyivs98

 

    Fundamental

 

       Headlines

 

              The Economy

 

                        US

 

Weekly initial jobless claims totaled 229,000 versus predictions of 215,000.

 

May housing starts fell 14.4% versus forecasts of -1.5%; May building permits were down 7.0% versus -1.7%.

 

The June Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index was -3.3 versus expectations of +5.5.

 

                          The June housing market index was reported at 67 versus forecasts of 68.

                          https://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2022/06/nahb-builder-confidence-decreased-to-67.html

 

                        International

 

The May Japanese trade balance was Y-2384.7 billion versus consensus of Y-2022.6 billion.

 

                        Other

 

                          Update on big four economic indicators.

                          https://www.advisorperspectives.com/dshort/updates/2022/06/15/the-big-four-may-real-retail-sales-down-1-2

 

                          Breaking down the small business optimism index.

                          https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=economy

 

                          Mortgage rates surge.

                          https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/14/30-year-mortgage-rate-surges-to-6point28percent-up-from-5point5percent-just-a-week-ago.html

 

            The Fed

 

The FOMC wrapped up its June meeting, releasing its formal statement and Powell giving a press conference. It raised the Fed Funds rate 75 basis points and reiterated its intent to unwind its balance sheet. Notable points:

 

(1)   it revised its [economic growth, interest rates, inflation] forecast [dot plot] dramatically, bringing the Fed roughly in line with the bond market, e.g., the Fed’s outlook for long rates is up substantially to 3.8% versus the long rates at 4%, [a plus]

 

(2)   Powell strongly emphasized the Fed’s intent to break inflation, raising the question, if so, why didn’t the Fed raise rates more than .75% when it is so far behind the bond market [which leaves the Fed the flexibility to chicken out---my thesis], [a negative]

 

(3)   on the other hand, Powell reiterated Fed’s ‘data dependence’ saying that a 50 basis point rise is still on the table for a July Fed Funds rate hike, which all the Markets [stocks up, yield curve steepened, dollar declined] interpreted as dovish, [a negative]

 

(4)   Powell called the economy strong---which suggests that he is not reading the Wall Street Journal, because while we may not be in a recession, the US economy is definitely not strong, [a negative]

 

(5)   on the other hand, [this is the second time I have had to say that], Powell sounded less confident that the Fed could manage a soft landing, further weakening my belief that we can avoid a recession. [a negative]

 

  Bottom line, despite the Markets positive response, color me skeptical.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/fomc-2

 

              The Swiss National Bank rises rates for the first time in 15 years.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/shock-decision-snb-hikes-rates-first-time-15-years-warns-it-may-sells-billions-stocks

 

              The Bank of England raises rates but sends mixed signals on future.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/pound-tumbles-after-bank-england-hikes-25bps-split-decision-drops-guidance-future-rate

 

            Inflation

 

              Return of a plague.

              https://www.city-journal.org/inflation-return-of-a-plague

 

              The cost of a Fourth of July cookout.

              https://politicalcalculations.blogspot.com/2022/06/2022-cost-of-fourth-of-july-summer.html#.YqoS6XbMKUk

 

              Stores have too much stuff.

              https://www.wsj.com/articles/stores-have-too-much-stuff-heres-where-theyre-slashing-prices-11655170243

 

              The International Energy Agency sees record oil demand in 2023.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/iea-sees-oil-demand-record-high-2023

 

            Recession

 

              Here is the official definition of recession.

              https://econbrowser.com/archives/2022/06/business-cycles-in-the-nber-business-cycle-dating-committee-framework-edition-xlxiv

 

     Investor Alert

 

In my quarterly review of the companies in my Universe, ATT (T) and Qualcomm (QCOM) failed to meet the minimum financial criteria for inclusion. Accordingly, at the Market open, the High Yield Portfolio will Sell its position in T and the Dividend Growth Portfolio will Sell its holding of QCOM.

 

     Bottom line

 

            Nobody knows anything.

            https://thereformedbroker.com/2022/06/15/remember-what-happened-last-time/

 

            It’s those derivatives, again (must read).

            https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2022/06/can-the-fed-kill-this-inflation-without-killing-too-many-other-things-first.html

 

            More on valuations.

              https://www.advisorperspectives.com/commentaries/2022/06/15/not-expensive-but-not-cheap-yet

 

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

 

Kroger press release (NYSE:KR): Q1 Non-GAAP EPS of $1.45 beats by $0.17.

Revenue of $44.6B (+8.0% Y/Y) beats by $1.55B.

 

What I am reading today

 

           

 

 

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