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Author: jsc

Morning Notes — Nuanced Fed Pivot

Historical collinearities began to reestablish themselves after 10-year inflation breakeven yields traded below technical support at 280bps (5/9). We discussed the potential for this to happen, thinking the break below 280bps should allow terminal Fed rate expectations to fall from a peak of ~3.50% and

Morning Notes — Consumer

The consumer came into this year with strong household balance sheets and elevated savings rates. Recessions generally require stretched credit conditions and deteriorating labor markets accompanied by mass layoffs.

Morning Notes — Roadmap

A sustained rally in equities requires lower inflation breakeven yields followed by lower nominal bond yields and lower Fed expectations.  All three have come off recent peaks, but it started with breakeven yields cracking below 280bps on May 9.

Morning Notes — Inflation Breakeven Yields

The potential catalyst for a Fed pivot in today’s world would likely start in declining inflation expectations. This puts the focus on 10-year inflation breakeven yields, which broke 280bps last week, staring a broadening top pattern.

Morning Notes — Retest

The S&P 500 (SPX) is testing last Thursday’s intraday reversal level in the 3,850-3,900 range with the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at ~3,840.  Risk/reward remains skewed to the upside with sentiment and positioning at bearish extremes.

Morning Notes — Technical Levels

The Fed’s increased clarity on near-term policy should help reduce bond market volatility, which usually leads to a narrowing of credit spreads and reduced equity volatility as a result.  

Morning Notes — Leading Indicators

Copper and steel prices typically lead the way on inflation and they’re already negative YoY.  We should begin to see the data start to roll over next month and continue rolling over for the next ~6 months.

Morning Notes — Reflex Rally

We were surprised to see the S&P 500 (SPX) break technical range support near 4,100 amid record bearish equity sentiment and extremely light positioning. It doesn’t take much to rally markets with such deeply oversold conditions with only 15% of the SPX holding above their