The Infuence of Today's Events on Inflation

As noted in this morning's post, central banks got out the bazookas today in an attempt to blow away systemic deflationary forces that are driving Euro and US banks toward insolvency.

On the surface, the concerted central bank actions are clearly inflationary.

This post on zerohedge w/ Peter Schiff comments captures it well. The snippet at the end of the post REALLY captures it well:

"...this is merely the beginning as more and more inflationary actions have to be undertaken by central banks to save banks from being crushed by untenable debt loads. Whether they succeed in overturning the deflationary tsunami is unknown. What is certain is that they will bring fiat currencies to the [brink] of viability (and beyond) in trying."

As the snippet notes, the big question is whether this collective action will work. In late 2008, the Fed got out the fire hose of liquidity to stem the Lehman blowup. After a sharp relief rally on the news, however, markets resumed their downward path as the deflationary forces were not to be denied.

Hard not to wonder whether the same set up might not be in play here. Yes, the collective bazooka exceeds the power of the Fed's firehose. But the deflationary forces are more global in nature this time around.

Peter Schiff suggests that this is the time to load up on gold. That may turn out to be the case. Heck, gold popped 40 handles today.

But the other side of the trade is that the market forces pressing against the intervention are deflationary in nature.

And it's generally not nice to fool Mother Nature.

position in SPX, gold

Central Banks Announce Coordinated Measures

This morning central banks around the world announced coordinated measures to enhance global financial system liquidity. Coordinated measures like this imply that central bankers see something severely wrong with the global financial system.

Their perceptions of systemic probs are correct, although as usual they are behind the curve.

Unfortunately, the planned approach--i.e., 'more liquidity'--does little to remedy the underlying problem, which is one of insolvency.

Nonetheless, the news jacked markets around the world. Domestic stock markets have opened about 2% higher. Gold jumped $30 on the money printing spectre.

My inclination is to 'fade' (read: sell) this news and will be looking for an opportunity to add to short side exposure.

position in SPX, gold

Durable Rally, or Short Term Relief?

If we were to assign news-related causes to today' 2-3% stock market rally, it would probably be a blend of better than expected Black Friday sales plus the spectre of (another) Euro bailout. Of course, we learned today that a) the IMF had no Italian bailout program in motion, and b) last week's retail sales numbers may be greatly exaggerated.

So perhaps today's move is just one more rally to blow off some near term selling pressure.

Technically, an upside move 'works' to SPX 1220.

Other technical evidence, however, is not in synch with a sustained upside move. After an early move lower, Treasuries recovered most of the day's losses. Bank stocks gave up a big chunk of their early gains. The dollar also closed near even after early selling. Oil closed near its lows.

Hard not to view these 'divergences' with some skepticism about the prospects for big upside from here. Time will tell, of course.

Personally, I did a whole lot of nuttin' today. Will likely put back on some of the incremental short exposure ditched last week should prices continue higher toward 1220. Other than that, I continue to be active in the physical metals market, buying both gold and silver.

position in SPX, gold, silver

Cash Rich, Balance Sheet Poor

Interesting weekly comment by John Hussman, particularly the back half devoted to corporate balance sheets. Many bulls claim that corporations are 'flush with cash' and that corporate balance sheets 'have never been stronger.' As Dr J demonstrates, these claims have little merit.

When compared to the amount of debt on corporate balance sheets, cash has been coming off historical lows. Cash as a fraction of net worth and total assets is also small (in the 5-10% range).

As such, much of the 'cash' on corporate balance sheets comes from debt. Corporations have been building cash in this manner due to cheap financing terms.

Make no mistake, the dominant feature of today's corporation continues to be debt and leverage, not cash.

John also comments on another eye-opening trend: the decline in tangible assets in non-finance corporations. The fraction of tangible assets to total assets is now below half. The remaining assets are financial assets such as debt securities and stocks.

As John notes, "This is striking, in that we presently have a menu of prospective returns on financial assets that is among the most dismal in history."

This is another argument for tangible assets (e.g., commodities) over financial assets, and for companies that are weighted toward more tangible assets.

position in commodities

Reducing Short Exposure

Tossed about 20% of my SPX short to the trading gods in respect of the move lower that we've seen. Technically, we're approaching what might be thought of as a 'minor' support level at 1160ish.

More substantial support rests at about 1120ish.

Will look to piece out more short exposure on extended weakness. Will also look to add to my metals exposure should they continue weak as well.

position in SPX

Bid Wanted Bunds

Germany experienced a 'bids wanted' situation in their bond auction last nite. The country could not get off more than 1/3 of its 10 yr notes.

Now that the best house in a bad neighborhood is having trouble getting credit, hard not to wonder how distant a Euro might implosion be...

Flag Pattern Resolved

Last week's question about which way the pennant pattern in major market indexes would break has been answered. The pattern has resolved to the downside.

The reason being assigned to the rhyme this morning is the budget supercommittee's (gotta like that term) failure to come to an agreement over $1.2 trillion in spending cuts. No deal inked by Wed means across-the-board cuts of like amount commencing in 2013.

This sets up the 2012 elections as a referendum on Big Govt.

Of course, other issues are weighing markets as well. Europe is still on fire, and fallout from the meltdown of MF global is wreaking havoc in commodity markets.

Personally, am leaning slightly net long--about 5-7% of liquid assets. In other words, the value of long positions (primarily commodities) outweights the value of short positions (SPX index short) by a small amount.

Should stock slippage continue another 30 SPX handles or so, I'll start looking to cover some of my short position (support resides in SPX 1120-1140 range). With precious metals getting slapped around today (gold and silver both off 3-4%), am itching to add to those positions as well.

positions in SPX, gold, silver

Widening LIBOR Spreads

Credit default swap (CDS) spreads have been widening in the LIBOR market. The gray line below constitutes CDS spreads of banks participating in the interbank lending markets.

Levels now exceed Lehman 2008 levels.

The gist: acute concern about the solvency of LIBOR centric banks.

Flag Pattern in SPX

The eyes of many traders are glued to the 'flag' or pennant' pattern forming in the SPX. Among the traders that I follow, it seems that most anticipate an upside resolution to the pattern.

Classic technical analysis says that chance favors resolution the direction of the previously prevailing trend. Yes, we've rallied off the early October lows, suggesting that the prevailing trend is up.

A counter view is that we've been experiencing only a bear market rally since October. A broader time horizon suggests a series of 'lower highs' since spring--in which case the primary trend could be interpreted as down.

In any event, we should get an answer pretty soon...

position in SPX

More Italian Turmoil

Turmoil is increasing in Italy. Yesterday a major London clearing house raise margin requirements on Italian sovereign debt, sparking a wave of bond selling. Longer dated Italian sovereign debt is marking new lows this am. Commensurately, Italian swap spreads are blowing out.

Italy PM Berlusconi is rumored to be stepping down soon. My buddy Fil shares some thoughts on the consequences.

Markets around the world are listening to some chin music as a result. Stateside markets have opened down a coupla percent.

position in SPX

Bullish Silver Pattern

Silver appears to be tracing out a cup and handle-ish pattern. Added to my SLV position this am and may add a bit more around here.

Should SLV start to 'fill the gap' precipitated by the mid Sept meltdown, then a trade 'works' to 38ish.

position in SLV

Pressure Rising in Italy

Italy continues to look like the next EU hotspot. Italian sovereign debt is marking new lows this am. Chatter is getting louder that the Italian prime minister Berlusconi and his administration are on the way out.

Contacts from my network that know the situation suggest that income administrations are likely to make Berlusconi look like the austerity king...

Last Week's Euro Plan Explained

Wondering about the plan hatched last wk in the euro zone? This explains it pretty well.

Another 'debt w/ more debt' proposal...

Greece Balks on Deal

In a move said to have 'blindsided' many, the Greek government has called for a referendum (a.k.a. a vote of confidence) on the bailout plan recently hatched by EU officials.

The word is that the 'voluntary' 50% writedowns on Greek debt may have been palatable to many external holders of Greek debt, but those inside Greece holding their own country's bonds, including Greek banks, don't want to take the haircut. For one, it would render some Greek banks insolvent.

The theme from Wall Street types in my personal circle is that, while they were largely skeptical that the plan put together last week would hold up, they are surprised by how fast it is unraveling.

That surprise is being reflected in markets worldwide. Sovereign debt of many Euro countries like Greece and Italy is getting crushed today. Stock markets are listening to chin music as well. The SPX is down about 2.5% in early trading.

Seems to me that domestic stock markets are in a precarious situation currently. Shorts have been squeezed out, hedgies have been buyin' 'em after feeling 'underinvested, and there has been a general movement toward more 'risk on' out of euphoria that the EU didn't collapse in early Oct.

Perhaps the collapse was merely postponed by a month or so.

From where I sit, if the SPX can't hold 1220 support, then it looks pretty vulnerable for a downside whoosh.

position in SPX