1. CPI #Inflation increased by 0.12% in May, surprising consensus expectations of 0.1%. This print contributed to a sequential deceleration in the quarterly trend relative to the yearly trend.
2. Above we show the monthly evolution of the data relative to its 12-monthly trend and consensus expectations.
3. At the subcomponent level, the primary drivers of this print were #Motor fuel (-0.2%), #Energy Services (-0.05%), Transportation Commodities Less Motor Fuel (0.11%), #Shelter (0.19%), & #Transportation Services (0.05%). Below, we show the top 10 drivers of the monthly change:
4. Over the last year, Food at Home (0.5%), #Food Away from Home (0.4%), #Motor fuel (-0.71%), #Shelter (2.77%), & #Transportation Services (0.61%). have been the primary drivers of the 4.13% CPI #inflation. We show this below:
5. Alongside these big-picture drivers, we think it is important to note that we are seeing deflation in a few areas of the economy now. The industries currently seeing deflation are Fuel Oil, Motor fuel, Education & Communication Commodities, and Alcoholic Beverages.
6. We think it is important to note that excluding #food and energy, i.e., core CPI, was up 0.40% this month— implying a 4.9% annualized rate for core inflation. This data is far removed from the #Fed’s objective.
7. We've already highlighted what the implications of this move have meant for Treasuries.
8. Overall, we reiterate that inflationary dynamics continue to create a challenging dynamic for Treasuries, and the disinflationary pricing that supported 60/40 portfolio in H1 2023 is likely to dissipate in H2 2023 as markets come to terms with potential #inflation entrenchment
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1/ Prometheus ETF Portfolio was our first retail strategy, launched in November 2023. The strategy has achieved our goal of achieving strong risk-adjusted returns relative to cash with limited capital drawdowns in depth and duration:
2/ Prometheus ETF Portfolio aims to allow everyday investors to access an investment solution that combines active macro alpha, passive beta, and strict risk control, all in an easy-to-follow, low-turnover solution. Thus far, we have been successful in generating these outcomes.
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Employment growth has begun to deviate meaningfully from GDP numbers. This is unlikely to persist.
Will output come down to meet employment, or will labor markets accelerate?
1/23 Thread.
2/Employment & output are at odds. To understand what’s driving the gap between them, we examine each individually. We then reconstruct the gaps between spending & employment for major industries, allowing us to assess 1) what’s driving divergence, & 2) its sustainability
3/In terms of labor market mechanics, the two primary macro drivers of employment growth are changes in the labor force and changes in unemployment.
1/20 At its core, inflation is a simple concept: the change in the overall price level in the economy. This price level can be measured in various ways: CPI, PCE, PPI, GDP Deflator, etc.
2/20 Like economic growth, inflation represents a mechanical framework that has more power than any specific definition.
3/20 Inflation is fundamentally driven by the balance between nominal spending (demand) and the available supply of goods and services in an economy.
Growth conditions have a nuanced transmission mechanism to various asset classes.
1/ A thread on what we consider table stakes in trading markets and a precise understanding of why Growth markets to investors.
2/ The exact measure & definition of growth are less important than conceptually understanding why growth matters to macro assets, i.e., stocks, bonds, commodities, constantly experience price changes to reflect ongoing shifts ..
3/ .... in expectations of their demand, supply, & cash flows. Individually, each of these assets has extremely specific drivers, such as earnings announcements (stocks), interest rate policy (bonds), inventory reports (commodities), etc.....
A recession is a persistent and pervasive decline in output, spending, income, and employment.
1/14 A thread looking across a wide range of measures to see whether we meet these criteria...
2/ Let's start with GDP numbers. Our current GDP Nowcast currently shows a nominal GDP of about 5.3%, while real GDP accounts for about 2.5%. Not close to recessionary.
Mind that these are Nowcast numbers, so they are fairly timely, unlike the official numbers:
3/Let's look under the hood of those real GDP numbers.
Consumption is strong, investment data has begun to soften, and government spending is very elevated.
The investment data is definitely something to note, but remains handily offset by strong consumer spending....