The U.S. dollar remains king and is now used in 48% of international payment transactions, the highest level in more than a decade
Source: Barchart. Macrobond
Simon White posted an excellent chart showing the potential short-term gain / long-term pain of the dual Yellen / Powell pivot
Phase 1: The Yellen Pivot. Early 2023, she decided skewing the Treasury's issuance towards bills. This bought time for risk assets, allowing Fed reserves to rise despite QT Phase 2: The Powell Pivot last week -> His dovish turn should buy more time for risk assets next year. He is literally trying to limit the growing amount of liquidity sucked from the government's ballooning interest-rate bill While this leads to short-term gain, there is a huge risk of long-term pain as these dovish operations have significantly increased long-term inflation risks and the prospect of even higher yields in the near-future. Source: Bloomberg, Macrobond
The US added the equivalent of a new Venezuela in oil supply during Q4, with less rigs producing more oil as technological efficiency ramps up
This supply growth has exceeded expectations and furled OPEC's attempt to put a floor under prices, at least for now. Source: Markets & Mayhem, Bloomberg
Homelessness in the US has grown to the highest level since the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) started tracking the figure back in 2007
With a record 653,104 people experiencing homelessness at the latest annual count. The number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness — those living on sidewalks or in abandoned buildings, bus stations, etc. — was up around 47k from last year, while the figure for people staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or safe havens grew 23k in the same period. Source: Chartr
The pain trade in one chart: Most shorted US stocks gained 11.3% this week. Performance YTD now on par w/S&P 500
Source: Bloomberg, HolgerZ
Was the FED ULTRADOVISH move on Wednesday driven by a "Trump fear"?
New swing state polling is brutal for Biden... It wasn't the case 3 weeks ago... Source: alx
Unemployment rate in America from 1955-2023
Interesting how the unemployment rate tends to spike right after the Fed cuts rates. Suggesting that Fed policy easing is usually a negative signal for the economy. Not a positive one. Source: FRED, re:venture
BREAKING: US House votes to authorize an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
This escalates a probe that has been open for months. The House voted 221 to 212 to open the inquiry. Biden family finances and businesses are in focus. Another historic development in 2023. Source: The Kobeissi Letter
