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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$SPY is the core exposure for many. While the S&P 500 is a good asset over the long term, it can have big drawdowns.
What if you can keep all your S&P 500, but protect some of the downside?
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2/ Most investors are seeking to either match S&P 500 returns or outpace them over the long term. Regardless of whether investors seek to match our outperform equity returns, most investors seek higher risk-adjusted returns than simply holding market beta...
3/ These higher risk-adjusted returns can be achieved in two ways: time exposures to equity markets or increased diversification.
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Is The Current Labor/Output Relationship Sustainable?
In recent months, employment has softened significantly after a period of strength. This has often prompted the question as to whether activity will fall to reflect this weaker employment growth.
1/1 9 We evaluate 🧵
2/
As ever, before we describe mechanics before diving into these observations.
The core principle that drives this thread is that labor market growth via employment is the dominant driver of sustainable long-term growth in the economy.
This is because labor both earns….
3/ … and spends, and is the center point of economic activity.
Given this centrality of employment growth, it is rare in the macro economy for output to meaningfully deviate from labor market growth.
If output deviates from employment growth for a time, it is usually…
The best information we can ever provide investors is the mechanics of how we think about macro conditions over time rather than what we think about them at any particular time.
Below we share a list of our most comprehensive Macro Mechanics notes. Enjoy!⬇️
1. Why Does GDP Growth Matter?
We offer our thoughts on what we consider table stakes in trading markets and a precise understanding of why Growth markets to investors.
The best information we can ever provide investors is the mechanics of how we think about macro conditions over time rather than what we think about them at any particular time. We share our framework for thinking about bonds and how to time them. 🧵
Bonds are fixed-income assets issued by the government that offer compensation as a reward for migrating from cash. In turn, cash seeks to entice savers by offering a return that largely neutralizes the depreciation of money caused by inflation.
Thus, in order for a treasury bond to be attractive, it will seek to earn a return in excess of cash and implicitly seek to offset the impact of inflation over the course of its life. The life of a treasury varies by its tenor, ranging from a 3-month bill to a 30-year bond.