CLIENT TALKING POINTS
YIELD CURVE
Once upon a time, yield curve compression (flattening) was a clean cut #GrowthSlowing signal (it still is, as both U.S. and global growth slow in Q4 vs. Q3 – you’ll get that data in JAN); UST 10YR 2.16% (-29% year-to-date) minus 2yr 0.70% = +146 basis points spread registering fresh tear-to-date lows as commodities continue to collapse.
COMMODITIES
Collapse, crash – use whatever word you want for a CRB Index (19 commodities) that dropped another -1.4% to fresh year-to-date lows yesterday (-25% since June); while it’s fascinating to watch the narrative on why, reality is that being positioned for #deflation risk (net short Commodities, Junk Bonds, etc.) is paying off big time now.
VOLUME
At the all-time (which is a long time) closing highs for the SPX (2078), Total U.S. Equity Market Volume was -12% and -30% vs. its 1 month and year-to-date averages yesterday. We would say #NoWorries on the liquidity trap if it wasn’t for the 100-150 handle draw-downs we saw from the no volume SEP and NOV highs – enjoy the markups.
TOP LONG IDEAS
EDV
The Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) is an extended duration ETF (20-30yr). U.S. real GDP growth is unlikely to come in anywhere in the area code of consensus projections of 3-plus percent. And it is becoming clear to us that market participants are interpreting the Fed’s dovish shift as signaling cause for concern with respect to the growth outlook. We remain on other side of Consensus Macro positions (bearish on Oil, bullish on Treasuries, bearish on SPX) and still have high conviction in our biggest macro call of 2014 - that U.S. growth would slow and bond yields fall in kind.
TLT
We continue to think long-term interest rates are headed in the direction of both reported growth and growth expectations – i.e. lower. In light of that, we encourage you to remain long of the long bond. The performance divergence between Treasuries, stocks and commodities should continue to widen over the next two to three months. As it’s done for multiple generations, the 10Y Treasury Yield continues to track the slope of domestic economic growth like a glove. We certainly hope you had the Long Bond (TLT) on versus the Russell 2000 (short side) as the performance divergence in being long #GrowthSlowing hit its widest for 2014 YTD (ex-reinvesting interest).
XLP
The U.S. is in Quad #4 on our GIP (Growth/Inflation/Policy) model, which suggests that both economic growth and reported inflation are slowing domestically. As far as the eye can see in a falling interest rate environment, we think you should increase your exposure to slow-growth, yield-chasing trade and remain long of defensive assets like long-term treasuries and Consumer Staples (XLP) – which work decidedly better than Utilities in Quad #4. Consumer Staples is as good as any place to hide as the world clamors for low-beta-big-cap-liquidity.
Asset Allocation
| CASH | 57% | US EQUITIES | 4% | |
| INTL EQUITIES | 2% | COMMODITIES | 0% | |
| FIXED INCOME | 30% | INTL CURRENCIES | 7% |
THREE FOR THE ROAD
TWEET OF THE DAY
VIDEO (2mins) Why I’m Using the Word “Recession” for the First Time This Year https://app.hedgeye.com/insights/41363-mccullough-why-i-m-using-the-word-recession-for-the-first-time-thi via @hedgeye
@KeithMcCullough
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.
-Pat Riley
STAT OF THE DAY
Greece is leading losers his morning down -2.5% to -26.8% year-to-date.
