Traditional Bonds Still Not Ideal

The flexible components of core CPI have been in deflationary territory over the past year (blue line in the chart below). The stickier components of core CPI, however, are still running well above their pre-pandemic average (orange line).   Source: Bianco as of...

Transitory Disinflation

US inflation topped forecasts for a third straight month.  Both the Core and the Headline consumer price index increased 0.4% from February.   Source: Stifel as of 04.10.2024   March CPI: Headline: +0.4% (Exp: +0.3%) Core: +0.4% (Exp: +0.3%) YoY: Headline:...

Lot of Moving Parts in the Bond Market

Treasury Issuance Back at Pandemic Levels   As we’ve noted over the last year, the current level of US fiscal deficits, given a strong economy and low unemployment, is uncharted territory.  It was ironic that Phillip Swagel, director of the Congressional Budget...

March 2024 FOMC: Dovish Tone

The FOMC voted unanimously to leave their benchmark rate unchanged in the target range of 5.25%-5.5%.   Source: Bloomberg as of 03.20.2024   The big surprise was the willingness of the Fed to maintain their projection for 3 rate cuts in 2024 even on the back...

March CPI: Inflation Still Sticky

Inflation Stabilizing Above 3%   The U.S. CPI rose +0.4% m/m (3.2% y/y) & core (ex-food & energy) was +0.4% m/m (3.8% y/y) in February. The so-called “supercore” gauge slowed to 0.47% on the month, down from a red-hot 0.85% in January. The data is...