Wednesday 31 July 2019

Rate cut 1

US equity indexes closed on a broadly weak note, sp -32pts (1.1%) at 2980. Nasdaq comp' -1.2%. Dow -1.2%. The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled -0.8% and -0.7% respectively.

sp'daily5



VIX'daily3



Summary

US equities opened in minor chop mode, and naturally remained that way into the 2pm Fed announcement.

The Chicago PMI 44.4, vs 50.5est. As June printed 49.7, the July reading is a SECOND consecutive monthly print under the key recessionary threshold of 50.0. This merits alarm bells, and its difficult to see how August might rebound >50. Eyes on related PMI and ISM manu' and serv' sector data across the next month or two.
--


As expected, the fed cut rates by -25bps to 2.00/2.25%, with QT being concluded two months earlier than originally planned.


Powell tried to dance the fine line, claiming that the US economy remains favourable, but that monetary policy needs to be eased. The market was upset at the notion that it might be a 'one and done' cut, with the SPX imploding to 2958, before rebounding.

Volatility spiked, with the VIX printing 16.55, and settling +15.6% to 16.12.
--


In AH, Trump shared his view on Powell and the Fed...


I expect Powell to be eventually replaced by Bullard, who will be more than happy to cut rates to negative, spin up the printers, and start buying T-bonds, but eventually... corp' bonds, student debt, infrastructure/build-America bonds, and ETFs/stocks.
--


Fed rates with SPX


Behold! ... as I've added a new red dashed vertical red line.
*the actual interest rate will not update on that chart until August, as its an 'eom' (end of month) chart.
--

Darkening skies over London
--
Extra charts in AH (usually around 7pm EDT) @ https://twitter.com/permabear_uk

Goodnight from London
--
If you value my work, subscribe to my intraday service. 
For details and the latest offers, see: permabeardoomster.com