Yen, Commodities and Yields

02/01/16 07:27AM EST

CLIENT TALKING POINTS

YEN

The Yen was smashed on the “negative yield” panic by the Japanese on Friday. Good for a 2-day Nikkei lift to lower-highs, but what’s next with the Nikkei down -7% year-to-date? All Japanese, European, and Chinese FX panic means is more #Deflation, in Dollars.

COMMODITIES

Dare we say layup short selling opportunities in things we don’t like (Oil and Copper specifically) on last week’s bounce – both are down -1.2-1.8% this morning. Gold (which we’re long in RTA, currently) is up +0.4% as #Deflation Risk = On.

YIELDS

Yields around the world crushed by Japan doing more of what hasn’t worked for decades – JGB 10YR = 0.04%! German 10YR = 0.31%, Swiss 10YR -0.31%. The U.S. Long Bond (TLT) remains our favorite Macro long idea alongside USD and Utilities (XLU).

*Tune into The Macro Show with Hedgeye CEO Keith McCullough live in the studio at 9:00AM ET - CLICK HERE

TOP LONG IDEAS

XLU

XLU

After a busy week of domestic data, you probably don’t need us to tell you that growth continues to slow. Despite the short-covering squeeze in energy stocks, Utilities (XLU) closed out January as the only sector in positive territory (+5%), other than Consumer Staples which eeked out a +0.5% gain. It was an awful start to the year for the S&P 500 (-5%). Don’t expect +10% of relative outperformance every month, but if you stuck with us on this trade, you’re in much better shape than most.

GIS

GIS

GIS remains one of our top Long ideas in the consumer staples space. As we have continued to say it boasts style factors that are ideal in turbulent times; high market cap, low beta and liquidity.

Recently, General Mills has been attacked by Chobani commercials, claiming that Yoplait yogurt contains the same ingredients used in pesticide. GIS filed a false advertising lawsuit against Chobani demanding that they stop showing that commercial because it could be detrimental to sales. GIS just got word that a federal judge has barred Chobani from continuing the ad campaign. This is a win for GIS, but it is unclear right now if there was any damage done to the brand. At this time we do not believe it had any serious impact on the company. We will keep you informed of any material information regarding this lawsuit as it moves forward.  

TLT

TLT

Long-Term Treasuries (TLT) continues to preserve capital against the slow-moving trainwreck in Junk Bonds (JNK). Week-over-week, 10-year bond yields crashed 13 basis points to 1.92%. That helped lift the best play on U.S. growth slowing (TLT) by 0.85% on the week as credit spreads continued to widen (JNK gained +0.76% on the week, underperforming TLT marginally on a relative basis).

Asset Allocation

CASH 60% US EQUITIES 0%
INTL EQUITIES 0% COMMODITIES 2%
FIXED INCOME 25% INTL CURRENCIES 13%

THREE FOR THE ROAD

TWEET OF THE DAY

NEW VIDEO | From #Washington To Wall Street: What To Watch w/JT Taylor https://app.hedgeye.com/insights/48857-from-washington-to-wall-street-what-to-watch-with-jt-taylor … cc @KeithMcCullough

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

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Vincent van Gogh

STAT OF THE DAY

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