Over the past several months we have written that the new economic normal means a target CPI in the 3-4% range and muted Real GDP in the 0-2% range. Interest rates can't go back to the Volcker days as Treasury would not be able to refinance its debt at double-digit rates. We could however see … Continue reading What Will The “New Normal” Look Like?
Tag: CPI
CPI Will Persist Above The Fed’s Target
Inflation as measured by the CPI will persist above the Fed's target rate of 2% over the long-term. Why? Because as Milton Friedman said: "Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon in the sense that it is and can be produced only by a more rapid increase in the quantity of money than in … Continue reading CPI Will Persist Above The Fed’s Target
Tomorrow’s Fed Decision
We expect a 50 basis point increase in the Fed Funds rate tomorrow. More importantly over the next number of months will be the Fed's actions with respect to its balance sheet. Our focus will be on the Fed's balance sheet over the next number of months (see chart below), which has ticked down recently … Continue reading Tomorrow’s Fed Decision
Tough To Be A Fixed Income Investor
It is tough to be a fixed income investor in this market. Yields are rising, but in real terms even high yield securities are in negative territory given the inflated CPI environment. Some fixed income portfolio managers are spinning that now is a great time to be a fixed income investor because high yield securities … Continue reading Tough To Be A Fixed Income Investor
The Fed Will Reset Its 2% Inflation Target
Our view is that the Fed will reset its 2% inflation target approximately one year from now if it wants to salvage the last vestiges of its credibility. While April's CPI number may come down some due to the retreat in the price of oil, we could continue to see core inflation march higher for … Continue reading The Fed Will Reset Its 2% Inflation Target
Fed Spin and U.S. Jobs
Federal Reserve officials tout the U.S. economy's strength as the reason why Fed tightening will not tip the economy into recession. The unemployment rate is the preferred metric of Fed officials who are spinning the tale of a strong economy. We provide an alternative. The Fed is expert at one thing - pulling the wool … Continue reading Fed Spin and U.S. Jobs
Treasury Yields Will Only Move In One Direction
10-year Treasury yields sit around 2.72% and will climb higher as the Fed: a.) lifts the Fed Funds Rate and, b.) trims its balance sheet (i.e. quantitative tightening "QT"). There is no scenario in which the Fed executes QT only to have Treasury yields move lower. It is simply a question of supply and demand. … Continue reading Treasury Yields Will Only Move In One Direction
Consumer Prices Have Upside Risk From Here
Last month we wrote that peak inflation as measured by the CPI was not in sight. We saw further evidence in today's reported 7.5% CPI figure. Producers have yet to fully push through price increases for goods and services for calendar year 2022 across categories. In addition, we keep harping on the BLS' owners' equivalent … Continue reading Consumer Prices Have Upside Risk From Here
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