VIX hit 65. To put things in context: this is the 3rd biggest VIX spike in history...
The VIX is now just 15 away from its record high of 80 hit when the global economy shut down and the US market tumbled 30% Source: www.zerohedge.com, Bloomberg
The Yen Carry trade unwind is far from over, with total net Yen shorts being barely covered...
Source: Global_Macro @Marcomadness2
This is the most important chart in the world today: the Japanese Yen vs the USD. Why is it so important?
1. For 30 years Japan has 0% interest on their currency. 2. As a result for 30 years investor borrowed YEN at no cost and invested it globally. They invested in T-Bills abroad and a basket of risk assets including the Nasdaq. 3. For the first time in many year the BOJ increased interest rates this week by 0.25%. This was almost unprecedented. 4. As a result of the increased interest rates and the signal to the market, investors are now concerned that the money they borrowed for free is no longer free and therefore they are unwinding their trades and sending the funds back to Japan. 5. The estimated quantum of this trade is over $4 trln!! The only question that remains is how aggressive they will be. But for now WE MUST KEEP OUR EYES ON THIS CHART! If it keeps strengthening risk assets are going to get sold even more. If it weakens again then risk assets might rally (all else being equal). Source: Ran Neuner on X, Bloomberg
Is inflation in the US reaccelerating?
The 3-month annualized core PPI inflation rose to 5.0% in June, its highest since 2022. This metric has more than DOUBLED in just 6 months. This is also higher than in any period over the last 15 years, except for 2021 and 2022. Something to watch closely. Source: The Kobeissi Letter, Bloomberg
Are markets now pricing in a Kamala victory?
Source: PredictIt
As highlighted by Otavio (Tavi) Costa, the need for the FED to cut interest rates is not driven just by labor data and inflation.
As shown on the chart below, the costs of servicing Federal debt in the US is soaring more than in any other country. Not just once, not twice, or even three times — multiple rate cuts would be needed to bring US interest payments as a percentage of GDP in line with the rest of the world. This is what financial repression is about. Source: Tavi Costa, Bloomberg
The recessionary trade was in full effect yesterday following weak ISM data.
Cyclicals underperformed Defensives by 429bps, one of the worst days in the last 16+ years. The only other comparable days were during the March 2020 Covid crash and 2008 GFC. $SPY $QQQ $IWM Source: David Marlin, Bloomberg
BREAKING: The 10-Year Note Yield has dropped below 4.00% for the first time since February 2024.
This comes after the July Fed meeting and ISM manufacturing data came in weaker than expected. Markets expect the first Fed rate cut since March 2020 to come at their next meeting, in September 2024. Over the last week, the 10-Year Note Yield is now down over 30 basis points. Source: The Kobeissi Letter
