1/6

The US bond market is in a very dark, bad place right now.

Outside of the worst of the pandemic, Bloomberg's measure of liquidity is at this worst level in 12+ years.
2/6

BofA's Global Financial Stress Indicator is at readings only seen twice in the last 13 years ... the worst of the pandemic shutdowns in 2020 and the Great Recession in 2009.
3/6

The Move Index, a measure of implied volatility (the "VIX of the bond market"), closed today at one of the highest readings in its 30+ year history.
4/6

Summing up, the global bond market has lost over one-fifth of its value this year.

Before 2022 such a move was thought to be impossible.

Note that this index is priced in dollars, and with 53% of this index is foreign-denominated bonds, the strong dollar is killing it.
5/6

This is why the US aggregate (100% dollar-denominated bonds) is doing relatively better than the global aggregate.

Note the word RELATIVE, this index is still setting records with its losses, just not to the degree that the seen by the Global Aggregate.
6/6

Remember, an illiquid, volatile, dysfunctional bond market can destroy risk markets like equities, and entire economies ... which you can argue is exactly what it has been doing in 2022.

This series of charts should be a big concern at the central bank. Is it?

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More from @biancoresearch

Sep 27
1/7

Today's edition of all is not well in the bond market.

------

The Move (the "VIX of the bond market") closed today at 158.12. This is its second highest print in 13 years.

Since 2009, the only day higher was March 9, 2020, arguably the worst market day of the pandemic. Image
2/7

Every time the MOVE gets above 155, the Fed is having emergency meetings (to cut to 0% or print), bailouts are being constructed, and/or bond traders are running around with their hair on fire.

Given this, is it safe to assume all is well this time around?
3/7

Add to the mix that liquidity is worsening, as measured by Bloomberg.

This level of illiquidity occurs when the bond market is dysfunctional. Image
Read 8 tweets
Sep 26
1/6

A reminder

In a bear market, sentiment can and will go to apocalyptic/suicidal levels.

Are we there yet ... in "Jonestown?" Are we drinking Kool-Aid because we are rekted with no hope?

I would GUESS no.
2/6

This is hard to understand

One well-known voice called for a "face-ripping rally" last week because everyone hated the market, down 8% in 5 days.

Another such voice looked at the BofA survey and saw the most bearishness since 2008 and screamed buy. Down 11% in two weeks,
3/6

Fintwit degens gave this tweet 8k likes this weekend convincing themselves big profits on longs were coming today because everyone was too bearish.

How did that work out?

Read 8 tweets
Sep 26
1/6

I want to revisit this tweet from Friday.

The problem is the ECONOMY is not breaking (yet?). So, rates can keep going higher. Not remotely close to the Fed put.

This is killing equity markets.

2/6

I discussed this today on Bloomberg.

3/6

Everyone wants to believe this tweet, as it means the Fed put will be exercised.

Just like they believed inflation was transitory, oil was going $200, the Fed would pivot, and the sentiment was so bad in early Sept the market was a buy (down 11%).

Read 6 tweets
Sep 21
1/4

As we await the Fed, and the BoE tomorrow. Let me remind you what the weakest assumption is in the market.

That this inflation is a one-time rise because of the shutdowns/reopening and will go away, FOR GOOD, in 18 to 24 months.

Everyone thinks this, as this chart shows.
2/4

Then we can return to 0%, with more printing, and soaring mkt indices (aka, FOMO/TINA).

I have argued that this is a "post-pandemic economy" and that what drove inflation to 2% and stay there for decades was "cheap labor, cheap goods, and cheap energy" (mainly via Russia).
3/4

All these eras ended and we are now in an era of "persistent inflation."

Only when we recognize this is a new era and get about restructuring the economy can we return to low stable inflation again. This will take many years and trillions of dollars.
Read 5 tweets
Sep 14
1/4

Bond Market Carnage Update:

The total return of the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index made a new low for the year today. It is now DOWN 16.93% YTD.

How stunning is this?

The S&P 500, which is having an extraordinarily bad year, is down 17.50% YTD.
2/4

Bond losses of this magnitude were thought to be impossible before this year.

But a 40-year high in inflation, uber-aggressive central bank hiking, and record low and negative interest rates (coupons) are a dangerous cocktail for bond investors.

Its drawdown is now 21%!
3/4

The US Aggregate Index is not at a new yearly low, but it is getting close.

YTD it is DOWN 12.10%.
Read 4 tweets
Sep 9
1/4

The initial margin for Dutch (TTF) natural gas futures jumped from €2,880 in May 2021 to its current level of €51,120. Image
2/4

How fast a rise is this? Initial margin rates have increased faster than the price.

Since May 2021:
* Margin rates (blue) are up 1675% (16x)
* Prices are up 855% (8x) Image
3/4

How can margins increase faster than prices? It is due to the futures clearing houses using variation margin, which sets margins rate based on volatility.

investopedia.com/terms/v/variat….
Read 4 tweets

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