A capture of inflation, dilution and stimulus /2024As we see by the chart, we had a series of events mostly around mega-stimulus for Covid and a massive dilution of currency as triggering events. Inflation rose and is now back down close to the desirable 2% inflation.
We don't want prices to go back to where they were, that is deflation and is not healthy for an economy. We want prices to stay near the same year after year with modest inflation. When inflation rises too fast, we increase interest rates to slow down spending, to reduce inflation. The best we can do is work on wage growth to accommodate the inflation from our past years while maintaining modest inflation.
At 2.4% inflation currently, there really is pretty much nothing to fix anymore, we just need to keep it around where it is, a little lower really and work on modest wage growth.
Looking at this data, it really looks like the vast majority of the culpability of that inflation we had came from 2020, one of the single worst years financially as a country with inflation starting to rise immediately in 2021, and exacerbated some in 2021.
Looking at this chart, there is a tangible possibility that we see >10% inflation by 2027
Here is the M2 money supply chart:
Economy
$USINTR -Feds Cuts RatesECONOMICS:USINTR
(November/2024)
source: Federal Reserve
-The Fed lowered the federal funds target range by 25 basis points to 4.5%-4.75% at its November 2024 meeting, following a jumbo 50 basis point cut in September, in line with expectations.
Policymakers reiterated their previous message that they will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks when considering additional adjustments to borrowing costs.
On the economic front, the Fed noted that recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace.
Since earlier in the year, labor market conditions have generally eased, and the unemployment rate has moved up but remains low.
Inflation has made progress toward the 2% objective but remains somewhat elevated.
However, officials removed a reference they had “gained greater confidence” that inflation is moving toward the target.
$GBINTR -B.o.E Cuts RatesECONOMICS:GBINTR
(November/2024)
source: Bank of England
-The Bank of England lowered its key interest rate by 25 bps to 4.75%, in line with expectations, following a hold in September and a quarter-point cut in August.
The U.S Fed ECONOMICS:USINTR is also expected to cut rates by 25bps today, following a larger 50bps reduction in September.
Traders are keen for signals on future policy, particularly after Trump’s re-election.
Full Time Employment All Time HighsCongratulations to Trump supporters! you got what you deserve.
Americans yesterday voted for Trump because he convinced them that the "economy "feels" bad."
Nothing could be further than the truth. Never in the history of America have more people been employed. That's just a fact.
In the next four years, Americans will experience what a real "bad economy" feels like.
Don't shoot the messenger kids! I can only tell you what the charts say.
-United States PCE (October/2024)$USCPCEPEPIMM 0.3%
(October/2024)
source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
-The US core PCE price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge to measure underlying inflation, rose by 0.3% from the previous month in September of 2024, the highest gain in five months, following an upwardly revised 0.2% increase in August, matching market forecasts. Service prices rose by 0.3%, while goods prices decreased 0.1%.
Year-on-Year, core PCE prices rose 2.7%, the same as in August, but above forecasts of 2.6%. source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
$EUIRYY -Europe's Inflation Rate (October/2024)ECONOMICS:EUINTR 2%
(October/2024)
+0.3%
source: EUROSTAT
-Annual inflation in the Euro Area accelerated to 2% in October 2024, up from 1.7% in September which was the lowest level since April 2021, and slightly above forecasts of 1.9%, according to preliminary estimates.
This year-end increase was largely expected due to base effects, as last year’s sharp declines in energy prices are no longer factored into annual rates.
Inflation has now reached the European Central Bank’s target.
In October, energy cost fell at a slower pace (-4.6% vs -6.1%) and prices rose faster for food, alcohol and tobacco (2.9% vs 2.4%) and non-energy industrial goods (0.5% vs 0.4%).
On the other hand, services inflation steadied at 3.9%.
Meanwhile, annual core inflation rate which excludes prices for energy, food, alcohol and tobacco was unchanged at 2.7%, the lowest since February 2022 but above forecasts of 2.6%. Compared to the previous month, the CPI rose 0.3%, following a 0.1% fall in September.
$JPINTR -Japan's Interest Rates (October/2024)ECONOMICS:JPINTR 0.25%
October/2024
source: Bank of Japan
- The Bank of Japan (BoJ) unanimously maintained its key short-term interest rate at around 0.25% during its October meeting, keeping it at the highest level since 2008 and matching market estimates.
Thursday's decision came amid shifting political lansdscape following Japan's election and ahead of the US presidential election.
In a quarterly outlook, the BoJ held its forecast that core inflation to reach 2.5% in FY 2024, with inflation expected to be around 1.9% for both FY 2025 and FY 2026.
Regarding the GDP, the central bank retained its 2024 growth forecast at 0.6%.
Additionally, it forecasts growth of 1.1% for FY 2025 and 1.0% for FY 2026.
$USGDPQQ -U.S GDP (Q3/2024)ECONOMICS:USGDPQQ 2.8%
Q3/2024
source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
-The US economy expanded an annualized 2.8% in Q3 2024,
below 3% in Q2 and forecasts of 3%, the advance estimate from the BEA showed.
Personal spending increased at the fastest pace since Q1 2023 (3.7% vs 2.8% in Q2),
boosted by a 6% surge in consumption of goods (6% vs 3%) and a robust spending on services (2.6% vs 2.7%), mostly prescription drugs, motor vehicles and parts, outpatient services and food services and accommodations.
Government consumption also rose more (5% vs 3.1%), led by defense spending.
In addition, the contribution from net trade was less negative (-0.56 pp vs -0.9 pp), with both exports (8.9% vs 1%) and imports (11.2% vs 7.6%) soaring, led by capital goods, excluding autos. On the other hand, private inventories dragged 0.17 pp from the growth, after adding 1.05 pp in Q2.
Also, fixed investment slowed (1.3% vs 2.3%), led by a decline in structures (-4% vs 0.2%) and residential investment (-5.1% vs -2.8%).
Investment in equipment however, soared (11.1% vs 9.8%).
$EUGDPQQ -Europe's GDP (Q3/2024) ECONOMICS:EUGDPQQ 0.4%
Q3/2024
source: EUROSTAT
- The Eurozone GDP expanded 0.4% on quarter in the three months to September 2024,
the strongest growth rate in two years, following a 0.2% rise in Q2 and above forecasts of 0.2%
The German economy expanded 0.2%, surprisingly avoiding a recession, after a downwardly revised 0.3% decline in Q2.
GDP growth also quickened in France (0.4% vs 0.2% in Q2) and the Spanish economy remained robust (0.8% vs 0.8%).
In addition, the Portuguese economy grew 0.2%, the same as in Q2 while the GDP in Ireland (2% vs -1%) and Austria (0.3% vs 0%) rebounded and grew faster in Lithuania (1.1% vs 0.3%).
On the other hand, the Italian economy stalled, following a 0.2% rise in Q2 and Latvia remained in contraction (-0.4% vs -0.3%). Year-on-year, the Eurozone GDP expanded 0.9%, the best performance since the Q1 2023, compared to a 0.6% rise in the previous quarter and higher than forecasts of 0.8%.
The ECB expects the GDP in the Eurozone to expand 0.8% this year.
Are You Seeing This?If being on the gold standard made the U.S. Debt-to-GDP ratio get better, then what will make the Debt-to-GDP even out now? Particularly since we're probably not going back to the gold standard. What asset can the U.S. peg the U.S. Dollar to make the Debt-to-GDP even out or decline?
Or, will the U.S. just letting the debt continue without being checked? The great part about the U.S. is their "beautiful deleveraging" and reflation. It's great to the have fighting in the corner of the U.S.
It gets bumpy, but just hold on tight. There is more to come. Can't wait to see how this plays out.
#RayDalio
#GoldStandard
#BeautifulDeleveraging
#BumpyRide
#WhatsNext
#ATJX $ATJX
$CNGDPYY - China's GDP (Q3/2024)ECONOMICS:CNGDPYY Q3/2024
source: National Bureau of Statistics of China
-The Chinese economy expanded 4.6% YoY in Q3 of 2024,
compared with market forecasts of 4.5% and a 4.7% rise in Q2.
It marked the slowest annual growth rate since Q1 2023, amid persistent property weakness, shaky domestic demand, deflation risks, and trade frictions with the West.
The latest figures came as Beijing had intensified stimulus measures to boost economic recovery and rebuild confidence.
In September alone, there were some positive signs:
industrial output and retail sales both saw their largest increases in four months, and the urban jobless rate fell to a three-month low of 5.1%.
On the trade front, however, exports rose the least in five months while imports were sluggish. In the first three quarters of the year, the economy grew by 4.8%, compared with China’s full-year target of around 5%.
During the period, fixed investment rose by 3.4% yoy, topping consensus of 3.3%.
$JPIRYY -Japan's CPI (September/2024)ECONOMICS:JPIRYY 2.5%
(September/2024)
source: Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications
- The annual inflation rate in Japan fell to 2.5% in September 2024 from 3.0% in the prior month, marking the lowest reading since April.
Electricity prices increased the least in three months as the impact of energy subsidy removal in May waned (15.2% vs. 26.2% in August), and the cost of gas rose much more slowly (7.7% vs. 11.1%).
Moreover, costs moderated for food (3.4% vs. 3.6%), furniture & household utensils (4.8% vs. 5.2%), transport (0.1% vs. 0.2%), and culture (4.3% vs. 4.8%).
Additionally, prices fell further for communication (-2.6% vs. -2.4%) and education (-1.0% vs. -1.0%).
On the other hand, inflation remained unchanged for housing (0.7%) and healthcare (1.5%), while edging higher for clothes (2.4% vs. 2.3%) and miscellaneous (0.9% vs. 0.8%).
Meanwhile, the core inflation rate hit a five-month low of 2.4%, down from August's 2.8%, compared with the consensus of 2.3%.
On a monthly basis, the CPI declined by 0.3%, pointing to the first drop since February 2023.
$EUINTR -Europe Interest Rates ECONOMICS:EUINTR (October/2024)
source: European Central Bank
- The ECB lowered its three key interest rates by 25 bps in October 2024, as expected, following similar moves in September and June.
The deposit facility, main refinancing operations, and marginal lending facility rates will now be 3.25%, 3.40%, and 3.65%, respectively.
This decision stems from an updated assessment of inflation, which shows disinflation progressing well.
In September, inflation in the Eurozone fell below the ECB’s target of 2% for the first time in more than three years.
While inflation is expected to rise in the short term, it should decline toward the 2% target in 2025.
Wage growth remains high, but pressures are easing.
The ECB remains committed to restrictive rates to ensure inflation reaches its medium-term goal, using a data-driven, flexible approach without committing to a specific rate path.
$GBIRYY -U.K CPI (September/2024)ECONOMICS:GBIRYY 1.7%
source: Office for National Statistics
-Annual inflation rate in the UK fell to 1.7% in September 2024, the lowest since April 2021, compared to 2.2% in each of the previous two months and forecasts of 1.9%.
The largest downward contribution came from transport (-2.2% vs 1.3%), namely air fares and motor fuels.
Fares usually reduce in price between August and September, but this year this was the fifth largest fall since monthly data began in 2001.
Also, the average price of petrol fell to 136.8 pence per litre compared to 153.6 pence per litre in September 2023.
In addition, prices continued to fall for housing and utilities (-1.7% vs -1.6%) and furniture and household equipment (-1% vs -1.3%) and cost rose less for recreation and culture (3.8% vs 4%) and restaurants and hotels (4.1% vs 4.3%).
Meanwhile, services inflation slowed to 4.9%, the lowest since May 2022, from 5.6% in August. On the other hand, the largest offsetting upward contribution came from food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.9% vs 1.3%).
Sahm Rule Vs. FED's Own Recession Probability IndicatorThere is an interesting divergence between Claudia Sahm's real-time recession indicator and the FED's own recession probability indicator.
Historically, if we look at this chart, we get a rise in both together into a recession.
This time, the Sahm-Rule recession indicator has tripped the threshold at which recessions usually occur, but without a corresponding rise in the FED's recession indicator.
So, I believe one of two scenarios will play out here.
Either:
A - The FED's recession indicator will "correct" to meet the Sahm rule indicator's action and trip it's own recession threshold thus confirming the recession.
B - The Sahm rule is incorrect here and will correct back down - thus disconfirming the recession - to meet the FED's own indicator.
I believe by watching this spread and how it resolves, we may get an insight into where the economy is going.
Bitcoin Vs. Global M2 SupplyBitcoin is often compared to traditional fiat currencies in terms of its potential as a hedge against inflation. A key metric to understand this comparison is the M2 money supply—a measure of the money in circulation, including cash, savings deposits, and other liquid assets. The rising M2 supply is often associated with inflationary pressures, as central banks inject liquidity into the economy.
Analysis: As M2 money supply has surged in recent years due to unprecedented monetary stimulus, Bitcoin has often rallied, reflecting its narrative as "digital gold" or an inflation-resistant asset. However, some argue Bitcoin's volatility makes it more of a speculative asset than a reliable store of value
$CNIRYY -China's CPI (September/2024)ECONOMICS:CNIRYY
Inflation Data (September/2024)
source: National Bureau of Statistics of China
-China’s annual inflation rate stood at 0.4% in September 2024,
below market forecasts and August’s figure of 0.6%.
This was the 8th month of consumer inflation but was the lowest print since June,
highlighting the need for more policy support from Beijing to address growing deflation risks.
Non-food prices declined by 0.2%, following a 0.2% rise in August as the cost of transport shrank further (-4.1% vs -2.7%) due to lower crude oil prices.
Also, housing prices edged down (-0.1% vs flat reading) amid government efforts to further regulate the property market. Meanwhile, cost slowed for health (1.2% vs 1.3%) and education (0.6% vs 1.3%).
On the food side, prices rose for the second month, with the rate of increase the fastest in 20 months (3.3% vs 2.8%).
Core consumer prices, excluding food and energy costs, increased 0.1% yoy, the smallest rise since February 2021, after a 0.3% gain in August. Monthly, the CPI was unchanged, compared with consensus and August’s print of a 0.4% rise.
$USSIRY -U.S CPI (September/2024)ECONOMICS:USIRYY
US Inflation Rate Slows Less Than Expected
source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
-The annual inflation rate in the US slowed to 2.4% in September,
the lowest since February 2021 but surpassing market expectations of 2.3%.
Compared to the previous month, the CPI increased by 0.2%, the same as in August.
Meanwhile, annual core inflation unexpectedly rose to 3.3%, while the monthly gauge remined at 0.3%.