US budget deficits likely “grow to ~7% of GDP for 2026.
Even if the amount of the supplemental request were halved to $100bn, deficits could grow to ~6.6% ..” Source: Carl Quintanilla
Major central banks have withdrawn a combined 711.5 tonnes of gold reserves from the New York Fed over the past 15 years.
This total is based on publicly reported repatriation by Venezuela (160t), the Netherlands (122.5t), Germany (~300t from the US portion), and France (129t). The Bank of France recently completed its move, replacing its final 129 tonnes of US-held gold to achieve 100% domestic storage in Paris. Rather than physically shipping the bullion, BdF sold its older US bars and purchased modern standard gold in Europe between July 2025 and January 2026, generating a ~€13B ($15B) capital gain. Source: MINING.COM
Will the 25th Amendment be used during Trump's Presidency?
*The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1967, establishes clear procedures for presidential succession and for temporarily transferring power to the Vice President when the President is unable to discharge the duties of the office, either voluntarily (Section 3) or involuntarily via the Vice President and Cabinet (Section 4). Source: *Walter Bloomberg
The fastest oil crash since COVID just happened.
$21 gone. In hours. Here’s what the market is pricing in right now: → Hormuz reopening. Supply returns. → Strategic reserves stop draining. Pressure eases. → Saudi premium collapses. Asian refiners breathe. → LNG reroutes. Freight costs drop. Every trade that worked during the war just flipped overnight. But let’s keep in mind the full story: - The “ceasefire” is 2 weeks old. Not a peace deal. - Hormuz has real technical limitations. It doesn’t reopen like a faucet. - 11 million barrels/day of infrastructure is damaged. - Qatar LNG takes years to rebuild. Peace is harder to price than war. War gives you a narrative. Peace gives you uncertainty. The most volatile oil trade in a generation just entered its most dangerous phase — and most traders are celebrating. That’s usually when you should be careful. What’s your read? Are you buying the dip or watching from the sidelines? Source: CNBC, Jack Pradelli
Global debt just crossed $111 trillion. Up from ~$20 trillion in 2000.
The U.S. (~$38T) and China (~$19T) now account for over half of it. For a decade, zero rates allowed this to build without pressure. That’s changed. New issuance now comes with a real cost. Interest expense is rising quickly, especially in the U.S. Source: Michael Chu, CFA, CFP Visual Capitalist
Oil product exports from the Middle East dropped 65% in March compared to February.
However, they may increase going forward. Why? Iran has recently categorized countries as: 1. Friendly; 2. Neutral; and 3. Non-friendly. Friendly countries will have free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while neutral countries will be allowed to pass with a fee. This should enable higher levels of oil and other exports from the Middle East, but possibly still less than in February. Source: BraVoCycles Newsletter
The military budget Trump proposed today is $1.5 trillion.
Adjusted for inflation, that's $260 billion higher than the largest military budget on record. Source: Stephen Semler
SPX is pushing slightly above the downtrend, testing the 21-day MA.
A close above could turn this into a squeeze setup, but 6700 (futures) remains the key resistance to watch. More here. Source: TME
