The Kobeissi Letter Profile picture
Dec 19, 2024 12 tweets 5 min read Read on X
Apollo with another HUGE call today:

Not only does Apollo see less rate cuts in 2025, but they are now calling for potential rate HIKES.

Today, Apollo officially said they see a 40% chance of rate HIKES returning in 2025.

Has the "Fed pivot" been canceled again?

(a thread)
The Fed officially made their 3rd interest rate cut of 2024 for 25 basis points.

This marks a total of 100 basis points of rate cuts in 2024 as inflation reaccelerates.

With all key metrics of inflation nearing or above 3%, a new question arises.

Are rate hikes coming back? Image
Apollo makes the case that the economy is strong and growth has been robust.

Over the past 2 quarters, US GDP growth has been 3.0% and 2.8%.

The Atlanta Fed expects GDP growth in the fourth quarter to be 3.2%, well above the CBO’s 2% estimate of long-run US growth. Image
Apollo notes that the strong economy, combined with the potential for lower taxes, higher tariffs, and restrictions on immigration, could spark inflation.

PCE inflation could rise by over 140 basis points due to tariffs, according to Deutsche Bank.

Higher prices are coming. Image
Recent data shows that inflation is already heading higher again.

3-month annualized core CPI inflation is now back up to an alarming 4%.

6-month annualized core CPI fell to 2.5% before rebounding back toward 3% now.

This is BEFORE tariffs and tax cuts are imposed. Image
PCE inflation, the Fed's preferred inflation measure, is trending sharply higher.

1-month annualized core PCE inflation is now at 3.5%+.

1-month, 3-month, and 6-month annualized core PCE inflation are ALL back on the rise here.

Tomorrow's data will show November's numbers. Image
Meanwhile, bond markets are trading like rate hikes already started.

In what Fed Chair Powell has called normal market "fluctuations," something does not add up.

The 10-year note yield is now up ~90 basis points since rate cuts began in September.

Markets are not convinced. Image
Meanwhile, oil prices are surging adding to the case for higher inflation in 2025.

Our premium clients bought the dip into $67, as shown in our alert below.

With inflation rebounding, we are trading.

Subscribe at the link below to access our analysis:

thekobeissiletter.com/subscribeImage
All while the US now has a record $36.2 TRILLION of Federal Debt.

Deficit spending has been highly inflationary and this is coupled with a potential government shutdown.

Treasury yields are rising as the US government is forced to issue trillions in bonds for deficit spending. Image
The Fed is clearly concerned despite the calm image they are trying to paint.

They raised their PCE inflation target from 2.1% up to 2.5% by the end of 2025.

15 out of 19 Fed officials view inflation risks weighted to the upside.

In September, just 3 officials felt this way. Image
So, what does this all mean for investors and for your portfolio?

As we have been forecasting, we expect more volatility in 2025.

These swings will be tradable.

Subscribe now at the link below to gain instant access to our alerts and analysis:

thekobeissiletter.com/subscribe
Lastly, the million Dollar question is if the labor market
can hold up with tighter financial conditions in 2025.

If not, we risk stagflation, the Fed's nightmare.

In fact, stagflation may already be here.

Follow us @KobeissiLetter for real time analysis as this develops. Image

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More from @KobeissiLetter

Dec 18
What just happened?

Core CPI inflation in the US just unexpectedly fell to 2.6%, its LOWEST level since March 2021.

3 months ago, inflation rose to a 6-month high, and last month, the October CPI inflation report was "cancelled."

What changed? Let us explain.

(a thread) Image
At first glance, this looks like one of the best inflation reports in years.

The 40 bps drop in headline and core inflation is one of the largest YoY declines since 2023.

And, this comes as core inflation was expected to INCREASE.

It also comes at an interesting time. Image
Last month, the US cancelled the October CPI inflation report.

They cited "a lapse in appropriations" which prevented data from being collected during the government shutdown.

Why is this important?

It means the BLS had to make tons of assumptions for last month's data. Image
Read 12 tweets
Dec 8
The elephant in the room:

There have now been 1.2 MILLION job cuts announced in 2025. And, 60% of Americans say we are in a recession.

Yet, the S&P 500 has added +$17 TRILLION since April, nearing its 29th record high of 2025.

What's happening? Let us explain.

(a thread) Image
US layoffs currently set to match levels seen in the 2008 Financial Crisis.

US employers have announced 1,170,821 job cuts in 2025, the 2nd-highest total in 16 years.

In November, US employers announced 71,321 job cuts.

This is the 3rd HIGHEST monthly total ever recorded. Image
And, it's impacting ALL demographics.

Unemployed Americans with 4-year college degrees now make up a record 25.3% of total unemployment.

The percentage has doubled since the 2008 Crisis and is above 2020 levels.

The US labor market is weakening across all education levels. Image
Read 12 tweets
Nov 20
What just happened?

In its fastest reversal since "Liberation Day," the S&P 500 just lost -$2 TRILLION of market cap in 5 hours.

Nvidia went from +6% to -3% after reporting RECORD revenue of $55 billion without ANY new headlines.

Why did this happen?

Let us explain. Image
Here was the S&P 500's heat map at the open today.

After Nvidia, $NVDA, crushed earnings reporting record quarterly revenue of $55 billion, stocks were deep green.

The Nasdaq 100 was on track for its largest daily gain since May 2025.

Then, at 10:30 AM ET, everything changed. Image
As shown below, the S&P 500 went from +130 points to down -50 points in a matter of minutes.

One would expect that a market moving headline came out.

But, nothing new happened aside from an 11:20 AM headline that the BLS is releasing the November jobs report on December 16. Image
Read 12 tweets
Nov 16
What is happening in crypto?

Over the last 41 days, crypto has erased -$1.1 trillion in market cap, or -$27 billion PER DAY.

Crypto market cap is now ~10% BELOW levels seen during the record -$19 billion liquidation on October 10th.

This is a structural move. Let us explain. Image
This decline has been strange for one key reason:

There haven't been many material bearish developments on the fundamental side of crypto.

Just days ago, President Trump said America being "number one in crypto" is his top priority.

Yet, Bitcoin is down -25% in one month. Image
It also appears to be a structural and mechanical downturn.

It all began with institutional outflows in mid-to-late October.

In the first week of November, crypto funds saw -$1.2 billion of outflows.

The problem becomes excessive levels of leverage AMID these outflows. Image
Read 12 tweets
Nov 9
Stimulus checks are back:

President Trump just announced the "tariff dividend," a payment of AT LEAST $2,000 per American.

We expect 85%+ of US adults to receive this, resulting in $400+ BILLION handed out.

All as US debt nears $40 trillion.

What's next? Let us explain. Image
This morning, President Trump made the below announcement:

A dividend of at least $2,000 per person will be paid, EXCLUDING "high income people."

The economic implications of such a massive "stimulus"-like payment are huge.

Especially with markets at record highs. Image
First, who will be receiving this payment?

Let's take a look at the most recent stimulus payment, the March 2021 $1,400 stimulus check.

Full payments were only made to:

Single filers making up to $75,000, households making up to $112,500, and married earners up to $150,000. Image
Read 12 tweets
Nov 7
The US government shutdown is expanding:

Today, the FAA officially began cutting 700 flights PER DAY across 40 airports.

Airports are now facing a shortage of 3,500 air traffic controllers with 4+ MILLION passengers impacted.

What happens next?

Let us explain. Image
Today, the US government shutdown officially enters day 38.

This marks the longest shutdown in US history and nearly 5 TIMES the average.

But, today also marks the first day that the shutdown has gone "mainstream."

The FAA has announced flight cancellations beginning today. Image
Below is a map of the 40 airports impacted.

More than 700 US flights were canceled as of 9 AM ET today.

The FAA announced that 10% of flights may be canceled until the end of the shutdown.

So far, 4 MILLION travelers have been impacted by cancellations and delays. Image
Read 11 tweets

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