The following is part of Pivotal Events that was published
for our subscribers June 12, 2013.
Signs Of The Times
"Fed's Fisher: We Cannot Live in Fear of 'Monetary Cocaine'"
- CNBC, June 5
"We increase our year-end target for the S&P to 1,730 (from 1,640)
and introduce an end-2014 target of 1,900."
- Credit Suisse, June 5
What are these guys tripping out on?
"Goldilocks: This Was the Perfect Job Report for The Market."
- Business Insider, June, 7
Whatever it is, they seem to be smoking it as well.
In the madness of the "Roaring Twenties", the head of the New York Fed, Ben
Strong, wanted to give the stock market a boost. In 1927 he wished to impress
a visiting central banker from France and used the term "coupe de whiskey".
Strange that similar boosts did not work during the collapse in the fall of
1929 and in the fall of 2008.
The last time we referred to the "Coupe" in earnest was in November of 2007.
Some years ago, Paul McCulley, then at Pimco observed "When the Fed
is the bartender, everybody drinks until they fall down."
Then there is the spoilsport:
"Obama: 'We don't want to tax all businesses out of business'."
- CNS, June 10
With his ambition for unlimited government, this should be read as just the
industries that interventionists like such as wind turbines and solar power.
Perspective
In the middle of April the scramble to buy risky bonds was another example
of "reaching for yield". That was one compulsion and it was backed
up by "Confidence mounts that central banks will prop up debt markets
through year end."
Essentially the best for the bond future was set at the end of April and the
best for lowergrade stuff was set in early May. As of this week, the initial
whack has been severe enough that establishment is worrying about "disorderly".
Oooops!
Our May 9th Pivot described the huge issuance of doubtful bonds as the "biggest
Garbage Market in history", and that what "central bankers
propose and market forces dispose".
Noted a number of times was that the bond frenzy was heading for a seasonal
reversal in May. That governments were driving the action was discussed and
compared to this time in 1998. That was the government tout that spreads in
Europe would narrow. Backed by central bankers, LTCM bet the farm on "Convergence" and
the crash was monumental.
This disquieting event was also cited a few times.
On this spring's mania, we noted that once the reversal was accomplished around
May, lower-grade bond markets would crash in the fall. "Disorderly" is the
polite term for a bond market crash.
There could be times when liquidity pressures will encompass long treasuries.
Under such conditions most equities and commodities could suffer forced selling.
Indicators
The storm in the credit markets has been developing over the past few months.
Perhaps a pause is due, but the turn is severe and points to a lot of forced
liquidation in the fall.
On the stock market, the VIX rising though 19 would mark the breakout from
complacency.
On currencies, the DX rising through the 84 level would do it.
As a general indicator, the gold/silver ratio rising above 63 would be significant.
Precious Metals
Orthodox markets recorded enthusiasm, excitement and complacency only seen
at important tops.
A four-year credit, business and stock market cycle is virtually complete.
In retrospect, the bear market for the precious metal sector started in the
summer of 2011.
The disaster in March-April created momentum and sentiment readings quite
the opposite of the excesses recorded in 2011 and again last September.
That was a trip from one excess to the other. But beyond that it was a cyclical
bear market for the sector as orthodox markets were accomplishing a cyclical
bull market.
From time to time over the past year this page has wondered about when this
opposite action would begin, Well, it was on, but we only noticed it earlier
in the year.
Gold markets have recorded bearish sentiment and momentum numbers, gloom and
dismay seen only at important bottoms.
The path to a cyclical bull market for this sector could still be difficult.
Particularly when stocks and bonds are getting hit hard. At other times good
advances are possible with eventually outstanding net gains being accomplished.
We would like to be more precise on this, but it is wild out there.
Mother Nature is seriously working to embarrass interventionist theories and
practices - again.
The sector is worth buying on the bad days.
Link to June 15, 2013 'Bob and Phil Show' on TalkDigitalNetwork.com: http://talkdigitalnetwork.com/2013/06/this-week-in-money-88
