"We have reached a pivot point in financial markets," forecasts Rob Parenteau, steward of the Richebächer Society.
"As we have documented in recent weeks, the list of US macro series showing stable nominal levels over the past three-four months continues to increase. These include retail sales, new orders for durable goods and imports of materials and finished goods. That is not what usually happens in a debt-deflation dynamic, which cumulatively builds on itself. It appears the debt-deflation risk is being contained by extreme fiscal and monetary measures.
"Stability is better than free fall, but it is not the same as expansion, and we believe equity investors have shoved valuations high enough over the past three months that they now require signs of economic growth, not just stability, to carry equity indexes higher. We think the odds of them getting that could improve after we get past the auto production and dealer downshift later in the summer, but the rise in Treasury yields is becoming alarming.
"So from a strategic point of view, we believe equity investors want and need to see stronger economic and earnings results to drive indexes higher, while bond investors need just the opposite to calm Treasury yields down. In addition, through near-zero interest rate policy (ZIRP) and quantitative easing (QE) approaches, the Fed has been trying to push private investors into riskier asset classes while the Treasury's debt issuance calendar implies they need private investors to prefer owning Treasury bonds, which are generally not the asset of choice in an economic recovery scenario.
"In other words, we have contradictory cross currents here. If the Fed doesn't intervene to slow or halt the Treasury yield backup, there is a chance the stabilization in unit home sales will wither away. If the Fed does step up QE operations to halt the Treasury yield rise, professional investors taking the 'green toilet paper' view will continue to sell dollars and buy commodities. Down the line, that implies higher energy prices for consumers and higher input prices for manufacturers, neither of which we would consider growth-supportive developments."
Just like last week, materials and energy companies are leading the way today. The great global rebound argument is still hot, and this data point is keeping the commodity fire ablaze: China's manufacturing sector expanded for the third month in a row in May, its government reports. China's purchasing managers index registered a score of 53.1 during the month, down just a bit from April but still above the expansion/contraction score of 50.
Oil's up to a fresh seven-month high of $67 a barrel today, largely due to China's PMI number. On the other had, the dollar is still falling, giving commodities an even bigger boost. The dollar index fell right through support at 80 on Friday and has plunged another point and a half since. It's at 78.8 as we write, just off its 2009 low.
Thus, the cost of your European vacation has popped 7% since the start of May. The euro is up 9 cents over the last 30 days, to just under $1.42 as we write. The pound has followed suit, up 11 cents over the last month, to $1.62.
And could parity be around the corner for our neighbor to the north? The Canadian dollar is up to 92 cents today, its highest level since October 2008.
Gold continues to flourish, but silver has been the real precious metal story of late. The yellow metal is up about 9% over the last month, to roughly $980 today. Silver, on the other hand, shot up 29% in May, to $15.50 an ounce.
"In general," says energy and oil expert Byron King, "the precious metals are up because the big-spending politicians in Washington have no respect for the US dollar. Break out the black crepe and armbands of mourning for the US dollar.
"Specifically, silver has always been the "poor man's gold." Silver tends to lurk in the shadows of the price of gold, sort of a stepchild to the yellow metal.
"But on occasion, silver undergoes a slingshot effect. Between the basic industrial demand for electronics, plus jewelry demand ('cuz gold's getting pricey!), and now the monetary pull... silver is accelerating in a price rise that is - believe it or not - leaving gold in the dust.
"Silver could break $20 sooner than we'll see gold at $1,200, and the silver miners (my readers own several) will soar to new heights. Do you have your ticket for this ride? All aboard!!!"
Silver may continue to outperform gold. If you're a believer in historic ratios, silver still has room to rise in order to meet its average gold price ratio over the last decade.
Either that, or gold's price needs to fall. And in this environment, we'd sooner go long silver than short gold. Do you agree?
So again, we thank Ian for his contribution today as guest host and his insightful above look at the news.
Our regular commentary, such as it is...tomorrow.
Bill Bonner and Ian Mathias
for The Daily Reckoning Australia
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About the Author
Ian Mathias is the managing editor of the 5 Min. Forecast and Agora Financial's public relations/media coordinator. In the short time Ian has been working for Agora Financial, his writings have been syndicated in several respected media outlets, including Forbes.com, the Associated Press, Yahoo! and MSN Money.
