Bond differentials don’t matter, then they do

November 29, 2024
*********************

–Wednesday featured thin conditions.  PCE prices exactly as expected with yoy 2.3% and Core 2.8%.  Yields ended lower on the day, with tens down 5.8 bps to 4.246%.  Ten year inflation-indexed note to treasury marked at a new recent low of 228 bps (exactly at yoy PCE).  Treasury to tip spread this year has ranged from a high high of 243 in April to a low of 203 in early Sept, just prior to the FOMC.  Fairly well anchored.  High this month is 240. 

–A few near SOFR one-year calendars made new lows, for example SFRH5/H6 now -47 (9577.5, +3/ 9624.5 +7).  Every three-month spread from Dec’24 forward is inverted until U7/Z7 which is zero (9637/9637). Greens to blues slightly inverted, wouldn’t be surprised to see those pop back to positive, but a lot will depend on the Fed’s posture.

–Tokyo’s Core prices released today were higher than expected at 2.2% vs 2.1 expected. $/yen has fallen to 150 this morning from 151.50 yesterday.  High on Nov 15 was 156.70.  BOJ meeting is 19-Dec, with odds of a hike about 60% according to Reuters.  I’ve attached a chart of 20y JGB to US.  The spread is 261 bps and falling, with US 4.47% and JGB 1.86%.  In the August yen-carry debacle, a fear was that rising JGB yields would siphon Japanese money back into the domestic market.  US FOMC on Dec 18 is around 50/50 for a cut.  Fed and BOJ swing by 50 bps?

–I’ve also attached an interesting chart of the French 10y vs that of Greece.  Spread now zero.  Do bond yields matter in terms of forcing fiscal discipline…or throwing it out the fenêtre?  When Greece was considered a basket case, France was borrowing at zero (or negative). Now the tables have turned.

–Markets should be quiet today.

Posted on November 29, 2024 at 6:16 am by alexmanzara · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Eurodollar Options

Thanks

November 27, 2024
*********************

–Minor bounce back in curve. Yesterday I had noted re-inversion of 2/10 to just under zero, but using the new 2y note 2/10 is back to +4.8 bps (4.256/4.304) .  Of course, just the one-month between 2y auctions is worth a couple of bps with the front end inverted as much as it is.  Looking at first red to first gold on the SOFR strip, currently Z5 to Z8 (which I consider as a rough proxy for 2/10) it rose by 3.5 bps yesterday from a new recent low of -19.5 to -16.0.

–Minutes were released from the Nov 7 meeting.  Headlines this morning mostly echo this one from FT: ‘Fed minutes show officials backed gradual pace of rate cuts.’

In the report, staff noted that the market had priced a less aggressive Fed.  Anyone watching forward SOFR contracts is already aware of that.  Since the Sept 18 FOMC, SFRU5, one year forward, went from 9703.5 to current 9602….down over 100 bps.  Current EFFR is 4.58% so SFRU5 at 9602 is around 4%…a spread of just 60 bps.  Currently we’re priced at odds of about 50/50 for a cut at the Dec meeting, which would put EFFR at 4.33.

–Continues to be buying of TY puts. Yesterday pre-open +20k each TYF 108p and TYG 106.5p for 8 and 8 (those appear to be covers).  But then more Jan 108s, 107.5s and 107s were bought; settled 8, 6 and 4 with open interest in latter two +9k.  Also a new buyer of week-5 109.75p for 3 covered 110-115, open int +11k, settled 2.

–Big data day with PCE prices expected 0.2 and Core 0.3 (m/m).  Year/year expected 2.3 from 2.1 and Core 2.8 from 2.7.  Jobless Claims expected 215k. 

–Man of the people Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who is vowing to stand in Trump’s way to single-handedly defend democracy, is said to be the mystery buyer of Ken Griffin’s $19 million condos.
“This most recent deal at No. 9 Walton is so far the city’s priciest sale of the year, and fourth-priciest of all-time in Chicago.”

https://therealdeal.com/chicago/2024/11/26/jb-pritzker-is-the-buyer-in-ken-griffins-19m-sale-of-gold-coast-condos

Scene is at the ‘el’ stop just behind the CBOT annex

–Below are a couple of snippets from FOMC minutes.  [My emphasis]

Regulatory capital ratios in the banking sector remained high; however, banks continued to hold large quantities of long-duration assets, leaving them more exposed than usual to an unexpected rise in longer-term interest rates. In the nonbank sector, leverage at hedge funds remained high, partly on account of the prevalence of the Treasury cash–futures basis trade. Life insurers’ leverage remained somewhat elevated, and they continued to maintain large holdings of risky and illiquid securities. By contrast, broker-dealer leverage remained low, as their capital increased in line with their assets. Vulnerabilities associated with funding risks were also characterized as notable. 

Many participants noted that the slowing in these components of core inflation corroborated reports received from their business contacts that firms were more reluctant to increase prices, as consumers appeared to be more price sensitive and were increasingly seeking discounts.

 A few participants cited business contacts who were using attrition, instead of layoffs, to manage the size of their workforce. 

However, several participants cautioned that low- and moderate-income households continued to experience financial strains, which could damp their spending. 

A couple of participants observed that the banking system was sound but that there continued to be potential risks associated with unrealized losses on bank assets. Many participants discussed vulnerabilities associated with CRE exposures, focusing on risks in the office sector. A few of these participants noted signs that the deterioration of conditions in this sector of the CRE market might be lessening. A couple of participants noted concerns about asset valuation pressures in other markets. Some participants commented on cyber risks that could impair the operation of financial institutions, financial infrastructure, and, potentially, the overall economy; these participants noted, in particular, vulnerabilities that could emanate from third-party service providers. A couple of participants also mentioned third-party service providers in the context of risks associated with brokered and reciprocal deposit arrangements. Several participants noted that leverage in the market for Treasury securities remained a risk and commented that it would be important to monitor developments regarding the market’s resilience. A few participants discussed vulnerabilities posed by the growth of private credit and potential links to banks and other financial institutions. A couple of participants commented on the financial condition of low- and moderate-income households that have exhausted their savings and the importance of monitoring rising delinquency rates on credit cards and auto loans. A couple of participants remarked on the successful implementation of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s money fund rules, noting that it would reduce financial stability risks posed by domestic MMFs.

Posted on November 27, 2024 at 5:57 am by alexmanzara · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Eurodollar Options

Bonds surge

November 26, 2024
*********************

–Huge bond rally with 10s down 14 bps to 4.267%.  2/10 spread re-inverted, now just under zero, though yesterday’s 2y auction was stellar (wi ended 4.252).  Back calendar spreads on the SOFR strip made new lows, for example, SFRM5/M6 fell 6.5 to -32.0 (9592.5, +5.5 and 9624.5, +12.0).  The peak contract on the SOFR strip keeps moving farther back in time, now it’s SFRH8, up 14 on the day to 9633.5.  The catalyst was apparently the Scott Bessent as Treasury Sec’y announcement, though I’m not quite sure that’s based on solid reasoning.  Gold was crushed, with GCZ4 down 94 to 2616.80, Bitcoin futures have pulled back from 100k and currently are just under 93k (Nov), CLF5 fell 2.30 bbl to 68.94.  The dollar weakened.

–We’re now three weeks from the Dec 18 FOMC and for now, it’s a 50/50 proposition.  Trump’s tariff announcements on Mexico, Canada and China were absorbed by the equity market, though NVDA yesterday erased all of November’s gains and closed just above 136, off about 11% from Thursday’s high print of 152.89.

–5yr auction today and FOMC minutes this afternoon. 

Posted on November 26, 2024 at 5:02 am by alexmanzara · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Eurodollar Options

Relief Rally

November 25, 2024
*********************

–Bounce in treasuries and EUR being attributed to Bessent’s choice as Treasury Sec’y.   Stock futures powering higher, precious metals under selling pressure.  This shortened week features auctions of 2, 5 and 7 year notes, with 2’s today.  Chgo Fed National Activity expected -0.15; Dallas Fed Mfg as well this morning.  WTI slightly lower, but CLF5 still near $71/bbl.  It’s been between 67 and 72 for the last 6 weeks.

–Curve flattened Friday. 2/10 closed at +4 bps, down 4.6 bps on the day and threatening to invert again.  Weakest contract was SFRU5 down 3.5, but SFRU6 was +0.5 and SFRU7 +2.0.  FFZ4 settled 9547.5, unchanged on the day, around 50/50 for cut or hold on Dec 18.  (EFFR is 4.58.  On 25 bp cut FFZ4 should settle 9452.5.  18 days at 4.58 and 13 days at 4.33).  The Jan/Feb FF calendar gives an indication of odds for a cut at the Jan 29 FOMC.  FFF5 9555.5s and FFG5 9560.5s, so spread of -5 bps.  Not exactly 20% odds, but that’s close enough.  So, although the market is now accepting that the Fed may remain a bit more restrictive than previously thought, there were still some disaster insurance plays…for example a new buyer of 35k SFRZ4 9662.5c for 0.25; strike is 110 bps away.  I’m sure the buyer hopes they never play, because the implication is that hypersonic missiles will be flying around like a game of Galaga.   

–FOMC minutes tomorrow afternoon.  PCE prices on Wednesday.

Posted on November 25, 2024 at 5:02 am by alexmanzara · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Eurodollar Options

Delusions

November 24, 2024 – Weekly Comment
******************************************

It is astonishing what foolish things one can temporarily believe if one thinks too long alone, particularly in economics…

The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones, which ramify, for those brought up as most of us have been, into every corner of our minds.

John Maynard Keynes, The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money

Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, one by one.

― Charles MacKay, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds

Chart above is by Guilherme Tavares @i3_invest posted 11/22.  (thanks TS for highlighting and to YZ for MacKay quote).

The quotes above are perhaps somewhat contradictory.  But the idea is that people can go mad alone (and perhaps help shape the maddening herd), or just run with the herd without the arduous effort of ever thinking about it.  I think we’re in a ‘senses-recovery’ phase, but it might take a while. 

The above chart represents that dynamic. According to BBG, market cap of NDX is $24.74T (NVDA is $3.47T), FTW5k -the Wilshire 5000- is $58.10T and GDP is $29.35T (St Louis Fed).  The AI hype, as represented by the ratio of NDX to FTW5k peaked in June and appears to be reverting currently.  By the way, this year’s peak is well above the dotcom surge in 2000.

I’m adding this X-post from last week from Arnaud Bertrand @RnaudBertrand
https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/1859446480198828360

The summary is that China sold $2 billion in USD denominated debt in Saudi Arabia at only a few bps above UST.  Sort of a shot across the bow in terms of creating a parallel USD system.  Here are a couple of interesting snippets:

This is where China’s strategy could become truly clever. China could use its US dollars to help Belt & Road countries pay off their dollar debts to Western lenders. But here’s the key: in exchange for helping these countries clear their dollar debts, China could arrange to be repaid in yuan, or in strategic resources, or through other bilateral arrangements.

In effect this would China placing itself as an intermediary at the heart of the dollar system, where the dollars still eventually make their way back to the US – just through a path that builds Chinese rather than American influence and progressively undermines the US’s ability to finance itself (with all the consequences this has on inflation, etc.).

In short this seems to be like some sort of Tai Chi ‘four ounces moving a thousand pounds’ (四兩撥千斤) move by China, using minimal force to redirect the dollar’s strength in a way that benefits China.

Last week I wrote about winning the war of incentives.  Chairman Powell recently noted that emergency programs put in place during the pandemic were remarkable in that they were barely used; the fact that backstops were available restored market function.  Same sort of idea.

Last week the US curve flattened.  The 2y yield rose 7.2 bps to 4.367% while tens fell 1.8 bps to 4.406%.  On the SOFR strip, the weakest contracts were SFRM5, down 10 at 9587 and SFRU5, also down 10 at 9596.5. By comparison SFRM8 and SFRU8 were UP 2.5 and 3.5 at 9619.5 and 9619.   2/10 spread is at risk of inverting again.  In June this spread was negative 50 bps.  On 9/25, just after the initial 50 bp cut, it was POSITVE 22.4.  Friday was the lowest level since then. I guess it’s not too surprising…     

We have a Fed wrestling with the idea of a higher neutral rate.  We have a Federal Gov’t that last fiscal year ran a deficit close to 7% of GDP.  The new economic orthodoxy is that issuance of high-yielding t-bills into affluent hands is stimulative, as interest payments become a more significant part of income.  Now, the Federal Gov’t is being threatened with a serious diet (sans Ozempic).  The big tech companies (many companies really) derive large amounts of revenue from the government.  At the same time German’s 2y is imploding, down 13 bps on the week to 1.99%.  Resulting strength in USD makes our exports more expensive.  It’s not necessarily the case that restraint in fiscal activity causes recession, but coupled with a Fed that is less inclined to ease, it’s a significant risk.


On this holiday shortened week, we have FOMC minutes on Tuesday afternoon.  Wednesday includes 3Q GDP revision, Durables, and most importantly, PCE price data.  Month/month expected 0.2 with Core 0.3.  Year/year expected 2.3 from 2.1 and 2.8 from 2.7.  No data on Friday.

11/15/202411/22/2024chg
UST 2Y429.5436.77.2wi 434.4
UST 5Y429.4429.60.2 wi 428.6
UST 10Y442.4440.6-1.8
UST 30Y459.7459.4-0.3
GERM 2Y212.2199.1-13.1
GERM 10Y235.6224.2-11.4
JPN 20Y188.4189.00.6
CHINA 10Y207.3208.00.7
SOFR Z4/Z5-57.0-51.06.0
SOFR Z5/Z6-5.5-12.5-7.0
SOFR Z6/Z7-1.5-3.5-2.0
EUR105.36104.18-1.18
CRUDE (CLF5)66.9271.244.32
SPX5870.625969.3498.721.7%
VIX16.1415.24-0.90
Posted on November 24, 2024 at 5:39 pm by alexmanzara · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Eurodollar Options

Taking my bitcoins and moving to Sardinia

November 21, 2024
*********************
–Note: Due to a glitch in the matrix, this note may come out sporadically, if at all, going forward.

–Yields rose yesterday with tens +2.9 bps to 4.404%.  On the SOFR strip, SFRZ5 was the weakest at -5.0 to a price of 9610.5 or 3.895%.  Five yr yield was +3.2% 4.273%.  SFRH5 settled -2 at 9575.5 or 4.245%, just under the 5y yield.  In fact, every SOFR contract from H5 forward is at a yield below the 5y, so there’s small positive carry going into next year.  Peak SOFR contract is currently U7 at 9621.  The forward three years starting Z5 average around a price of 9615 or 3.85%.  It’s the long bond that you’ve got to worry about….currently 4.59%; 5/30 is 32 bps

–Major factor yesterday was a report that Ukraine was firing UK-made missiles (parts made in China) into Russia.  Equities sold off but then rebounded going into day’s end.  Once again there was a buyer of SFRZ4 9600c for 0.5.  Besides that, there wasn’t much in the way of disaster buying.  DXY remains BID near 107.  Bitcoin is the star of the show, now nearing 98k.  NVDA results were seen as slightly disappointing with the stock down ~ 3% pre-market. 

–News today includes Philly Fed expected 8.0 from 10.3.  Jobless claims 220k. Existing home sales.

–Debating the move to Sardinia. (A town there is making a pitch to dissatisfied Americans). The problem of course, is that it might be lousy with Democrats.  On the one hand, Ellen DeGeneres is moving to London…dodged a bullet there.  On the other hand, Eva Longoria is spending time in Spain…maybe Sardinia is an attractive home base. 

https://www.liveinollolai.com

Live in Ollolai | moving abroadLive in Ollolai. Let us help you move to Sardinia, Italy. Explore our properties, from 1 euro house, to ready to move properties. We have invented the 1 Euro house global phenomenon and successfully completed many projects.www.liveinollolai.com

https://6abc.com/post/ollolai-italy-offers-1-homes-americans-upset-donald-trumps-presidential-election/15563055/

Posted on November 21, 2024 at 4:21 am by alexmanzara · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Eurodollar Options

20y auction and NVDA post-close

November 20, 2024
*********************
–Early action was dominated by news of Putin updating Russia’s nuclear doctrine.  Stocks lower, fixed income bid.  Those moves sputtered; stocks ended positive and near SOFR contacts were slightly lower on the day while yields from 5 yrs out were lower by 3 to 4 bps.  SFRZ5 to SFRZ8 were +2.5 to +3.5 with Z5 9615.5 and Z8 9619.0, nearly the same price at a yield around 3.85%.  Ten year yield down 3.3 to 4.375%.  There were a few ‘disaster’ buys: +15k SFRZ4 9600c for 0.5. +15k SFRH5 9750/9800cs for 0.5 (SFRH5 settled 9577.5).  And a few much more reasonable buys for continued Fed eases, for example, SFRZ4 9562.5/9568.75 bought for 1.0.

–Seller of 30k SFRM5/Z5 spreads.  Settled -18.5 (9597/9615.5) down 3.5 on the day.  Open interest up in both contracts, +37k and +5k.  The six-month spread in front, H5 to U5 settled -31.5 (9577.5/9609) so curve roll obviously favors this trade.  Not to mention the fact that as recently as early October the near 3-month spread was -50.  

–Sigh of relief as SMCI was +31% at 28.27.  Of course, in July it was 90.  NVDA reports after the close.  20y auction today.

Posted on November 20, 2024 at 4:49 am by alexmanzara · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Eurodollar Options

Doomsday clock is ticking

November 19, 2024

*********************
–Stocks appear to be starting the session on their back foot (ESZ4 -30).  Something about Putin updating Russia’s nuclear doctrine as Biden gave a green light for Ukraine to use western weapons on internal Russian targets.  Sounds ominous, but prolly good for bitcoin…right?  That’s where we are now…

–Lina Khan closing out her term by pressuring Google to divest Chrome.  Nope, we’ll keep chrome but we’ll tearfully part with Nest (to anyone who will take it). 

–Housing starts today expected 1.33m.  Rate futures quiet yesterday with red, green and blue SOFR contracts +1.5 to 2.0.  10y yield down 1.6 to 4.408%.  Treasury vol slightly lower going into Friday’s expiration.  TYZ4 109.5^ settled 0’34. 

Posted on November 19, 2024 at 4:38 am by alexmanzara · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Eurodollar Options

Data’s not this week’s catalyst. It’s Geopolitics

November 18, 2024
*********************
–Friday featured a slightly flatter curve in the wake of Powell’s comments Thursday.  SFRZ4 -4 at 9554.5, Z5 -1.0 at 9611.5 and Z6 unch’d at 9617.0.  10y yield up 1.4 bps to 4.424%.  Odds of an ease at the Dec 18 FOMC are still favored, but being squeezed slightly lower.  FFZ4 settled 9548.5, down 2.0.  No ease means a final settle at 9542 (EFFR = 4.58) while a 25 bp cut is ~9552.5.  So every bp is about 10% of probability.  On Friday even Goolsbee, one of the most dovish Fed Presidents, said the dispute on the value of the neutral rate could mean slower rate cuts.  The market had already shifted in that direction, but it’s still important to note.

–SPX on Friday touched the halfway mark of the pre to post-election surge.  Now it’s all about picking winners and losers of the new policies.  Drug companies shed pounds instantly at the announcement of RFK for HHS Sec’y.  Banks are bid.  

–Biden authorized strikes on Russian targets; dangerous escalation.  Putin dangled the carrot of cheap energy to Germany’s Scholz: de-escalation.  

–Dept of Defense failed its seventh consecutive audit, but hopes to be able to pass by 2028.  There’s a DOGE target.  

–It’s a slow week for US economic data.  20y auction on Wednesday.  TYZ4 109.5^ expires Friday, settled 0’44 ref 109-17.  This morning TYZ4 prints 109-11, continuing the downward trend.  Friday’s low is 108-30.  TYZ4 109p have 80k in OI (0’09s), 108.5p have 71k (0’03s). TYZ 110c settled 0’10 with 35k open.

Posted on November 18, 2024 at 5:14 am by alexmanzara · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Eurodollar Options

Poco a poco? Not any more

November 17, 2024 – weekly comment
*****************************************

This note is not about the market, but about the realignment of incentives. 

I think this clip of Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador, crystallizes the inflection point where we now find ourselves. 

https://x.com/nayibbukele/status/1846375736308887723

In summary Bukele’s advisors said:
“You know that you can’t eliminate crime all at once, right?”  Bukele asked, “Why?”  Because the money the criminals make is recycled into the legitimate economy. “All of that economic activity will fall all at once, without a legal, parallel economic structure to replace it at the same speed.  He [the advisor] said “you need to stop crime little by little (poco a poco) so that poco a poco you can offset that criminal economy.” 

Bukele: ‘These are the kinds of theories that sound good to intellectuals but don’t apply in reality. The reality is that crime is crime. Punto. (Period).’ 

Bukele goes on to talk about incentives for the youth.  “We’ll never be able to win the war of incentives.  We found out the only way was to go after the gangs and arrest them.  Not to punish them, but to remove them from society.  They have to be out of the equation.”  “So this young man [in his example] now thinks about his new incentives and says: ‘What should I do?  Be a gang member and end up in prison, or should I get to work and earn money that now nobody [the gangs] will take from me?’  The point is that the incentive structure becomes right for society.” 

“We understand we’ll pay an economic price for eliminating crime.  …The alternative is to do nothing.  …Our calculations – not from our financial cabinet, but from within our security cabinet – were that we would have a cost of 10% of our GDP.  GDP would fall by 10% to eliminate crime.  But our GDP didn’t fall by 10% it GREW by 3.5%.”

A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
General George Patton

Here’s a typical response from the “intellectuals”:



I’m not personally on board with the idea of mass deportations.  But it’s NOT because I am afraid it could be slightly inflationary.  I think Summers’ argument is pretty stupid.  The point is that INCENTIVES are changing, not only with respect to illegal immigration, but across the spectrum. Slow and sensible are out.  There will be wrenching changes.

Consider this X post from DOGE:

https://x.com/DOGE/status/1857076831104434289


Notice what they did NOT say:  “Go to this site and fill out an application.  We’ll review your education credentials, mindful of our diversity goals, etc.”  What they want: RESULTS.  High IQ hard workers who share a vision.  I doubt they care about anything else.

It’s like one of my favorite scenes in Ghostbusters, where Dr Ray Stantz (Dan Akroyd) tells Venkman (Bill Murray).  “Personally I like the university, they gave us money and facilities.  We didn’t have to produce anything.  You’ve never been out of college. You don’t know what it’s like out there!  I’ve worked in the private sector.  They expect results.”  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjzC1Dgh17A

I’m not saying it’s good.  I’m not saying it’s bad.  But there is a new reality to adjust to.

Bukele, Millei, Musk, Trump. Disruptors.  The old order is obsolete. There are many legacy columnists and authorities demeaning Trump’s choices for important posts.  I googled “editorials condemning Trump’s choices for policy roles”.  Starts with NY Times (of course) ‘Reckless Choices for National Leadership’.  They’re all there.  Wash Post, LA Times, Vox, etc.  Michael Bloomberg warning on RFK.  Shrill admonitions on Gabbard.  The key word is ‘legacy’.  You lost.  Your authoritative proclamations will now just bounce around sidelined echo chambers like the 4B movement.

The change in incentives already has created initial winners and losers in markets. Gone is the ‘participation trophy’.  Passive investing might fall by the wayside. Banks soared.  Big pharma was crushed.  Bitcoin’s a winner.  Gold’s a loser (for now).  A friend had mentioned that the Defense Dept was already shifting funding and emphasis to smaller, more nimble companies working on drones, cybersecurity, etc.  That dynamic will surely accelerate.  In terms of rates, a new burst of entrepreneurial energy argues for higher base rates (in my opinion).  In the short term, perhaps there will be economic pain as government transfers to households and the  private sector are cut.  The bar for Druckenmiller’s ‘hurdle for capitalism’ will probably be set to a higher standard.  That means higher rates / higher neutral. 


OTHER THOUGHTS / TRADES

Government hiring and spending has been an undeniable prop for stocks since covid.  The broad equity market has also been supported by the idea of less restrictive forward rates.  Both of those tailwinds are in jeopardy.  Last week Powell indicated the Fed could take more of a wait-and-see posture given the resilience of the economy and balance in the labor market.    

The green sofr pack, 3rd year forward, ended Friday at 9617.25, nearing 4%.  It’s down 99 bps since Sept 10, just prior to the FOMC.  Chart below.

The election surge in SPX retraced by exactly half (Nov 4 low 5696 to Nov 11 high 6017, halfway is 5857; Friday’s close 5870).  It wouldn’t be surprising if stocks correct lower due to perceptions of renewed restriction by the Fed, and the realization that reduced gov’t spending will negatively impact GDP.  Such a move might provide temporary support for fixed income, but the trends of a more normal positively sloped curve and funding rates that stay high relative to the past decade are likely to persist.

11/8/202411/15/2024chg
UST 2Y425.0429.54.5
UST 5Y419.0429.410.4
UST 10Y430.4442.412.0
UST 30Y447.6459.712.1
GERM 2Y218.5212.2-6.3
GERM 10Y236.7235.6-1.1
JPN 20Y183.1188.45.3
CHINA 10Y210.7207.3-3.4
SOFR Z4/Z5-60.5-57.03.5
SOFR Z5/Z6-7.5-5.52.0
SOFR Z6/Z7-2.0-1.50.5
EUR107.20105.36-1.84
CRUDE (CLF5)70.1166.92-3.19
SPX5995.545870.62-124.92-2.1%
VIX14.9416.141.20
Posted on November 17, 2024 at 11:09 am by alexmanzara · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Eurodollar Options