Economy Grows, Inflation Cools, Markets Hyperventilate

Home Market Outlook: Economy remains steady with higher than expected GDP growth and cooling inflation trend. Market experiencing rotations out of expensive trades like Big Tech and AI narrative, with US small caps showing staying power. Two weeks ago, a benevolent inflation report sent securities markets into a tizzy. But these are the times that call for discipline, patience in the management of portfolios.

PCE Inflation Rises 2.5% In June, As Expected

2.8% Growth Vs. 28% Recession Risk: The New Economic Landscape In 2024

Gross domestic product last quarter increased by 2.8%, a hair above average long-term growth. The Federal Reserve may have pulled off a soft landing in their fight against inflation. The Wall Street Journal survey puts the risk of recession over the next 12 months at just 28%. Real GDP grew at 2.7% in Q2 2024.

More Good Inflation News: David Berson's Economic Brief

Inflation Remained Low In June

Rates Spark: Euro Rates Eyeing Quicker ECB Cuts

U.S. GDP Growth Beats Expectations, But Fails To Dent The Market's Faith In Rate Cuts

U.S. GDP Growth Beats Expectations, But Fails To Dent The Market's Faith In Rate Cuts. GDP grew an annualised 2.8% in second-quarter 2024. Core PCE deflator rose 2.9% annualised versus the 2.7% expectation.

Rates Spark: Weak PMIs Help Build The Case For Rate Cuts

Weaker eurozone PMIs have helped markets price in two more ECB rate cuts for 2024. US manufacturing PMI slipped back below 50 and new home sales weakened, but services PMI edged higher. We continue to view the environment as prone to more risk-off, higher volatility and lower market rates.

Winter (Rate Cuts) Is Coming

The 2024 deficit estimate has increased by $400 billion, a 27% rise from their estimate five months ago. The U.S. Deficit for 2024 is expected to be $2.0 trillion, 7% of our Gross Domestic Product. The CBO forecasts no recession for the next decade. The IMF has warned of runaway spending in the United States.

Rates Spark: Why September Looks Like A Good Month For An ECB Rate Cut

Rates Spark: Markets Are Still Digesting Biden's Departure

US Biden's withdrawal did not have a material impact on EUR rates. The biggest impact for Treasuries was a late-in-the-day rise in yields. Weaker growth data later this week should help the EUR curve steepening. The ECB's Survey of Monetary Analysts shows a well-anchored ECB terminal rate of 2.25%.

Weekly Market Pulse: Is That Goldilocks I See?

Home Market Outlook Today's Market Weekly Market Pulse: Is That Goldilocks I see? Joseph Calhoun says the market has been dominated by large cap growth stocks. The stock market selloff at the end of the last week reduced the gains in value and smaller stocks. Commodities are mixed with general commodities down 4% and gold up nearly 3%.

Weekly Report: what happened at ZROZ last week (0715-0719)?

Has The Neutral Rate Of Interest Increased?

Rates Spark: Lagarde Clear About Not Committing To Cuts

When Will The Fed Cut

When will the Fed cut rates? The Fed Funds rate is currently above T-Bill market rates. The Fed will cut its rate once the T- bill rate declines and stabilizes. Todd Sullivan sees evidence of a recession hedge by institutional investors for which they have shorted T-Bills. He says the Fed has a history of missing recession signals.

Rates Spark: ECB Unlikely To Satisfy Doves

European Central Bank is not likely to cut at this meeting and will likely refrain from committing to future cuts. Markets are already pricing in two more 25bp cuts for this year. In the US, the momentum is stronger towards a rate cut. In France, the political challenges continue to evolve but markets remain unmoved.

3 Bad Narratives That Are Dead (But Will Persist)

3 Bad Narratives That Are Dead (But Will Persist) Cullen Roche: Raising interest rates does not cause inflation. He says the Great Financial Crisis created some of the worst narratives in finance and economics. In 2008, the Fed cut rates to 0% and many expected this to create hyperinflation risk.

What The U.S. Election Could Mean For Deficits, Debt And The Yield Curve

Government borrowing and the national debt are barely mentioned in the US election campaign. The US government is borrowing the equivalent of 6% of GDP and national debt totals $35tr. Failure to change trajectory risks further debt downgrades, market volatility and higher borrowing costs. Fiscal sustainability of the US is being questioned.

Yield Advantage: Key Takeaways From PIMCO's Secular Outlook

Central banks have achieved disinflation. Real yields are at levels not seen in 15 years. Fiscal policy in the US and abroad is on an unsustainable path. We're in a world of elevated macro and geopolitical risk. PIMCO: There's a yield to be seized and a yield advantage.