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Feb 15 14 tweets 6 min read Read on X
This is absolutely insane:

Since DOGE began discussing mass layoffs, the median home price in Washington DC has FALLEN by -$139,000.

In 30 days, nearly 4,000 homes have been listed for sale in and around Washington DC.

What is happening? Let us explain.

(a thread) Image
Here's a chart showing median home price in the Washington, DC area.

In November 2024, the median home in Washington, DC was worth ~$699,000, according to Redfin.

Today, the median home is worth $560,000, marking a -20% drop in ~3 months.

Mass selling is an understatement. Image
There are now nearly 8,000 homes for sale in the Washington, DC metro area.

Nearly HALF of these homes have been listed for sale over the last 30 days.

Since November 2024, nearly 5,000 homes have been listed for sale, well above average.

So, what exactly is happening here? Image
Year-over-year, home listings in the Washington DC metro area are up ~23%.

Parts of Virginia are seeing 60%-70%+ jumps in year-over-year listings.

Keep in mind, this is during the winter months in a housing market that has been historically LOW on supply.

Truly insane. Image
Listings accelerated after DOGE's federal employee buyout offer was announced.

The offer pays employees through September 2025 if they quit, with 5%-10% of employees expected agree.

As of this week, 65,000 federal employees have accepted the buyout offer, per WSJ. Image
Today, Fox News reported that 3,600 probationary Health and Human Services employees were laid off by DOGE.

This is expected to save $600 MILLION in taxpayer dollars annually.

The 65,000 DOGE cuts so far are now saving an estimated ~$38 billion in annual taxpayer dollars. Image
On day 8 of the formation of @DOGE, the below announcement was made.

DOGE is reportedly saving the US Government $1 billion PER DAY.

This means DOGE could reduce US deficit spending by 20% in YEAR 1.

More layoffs are coming as workforce reduction has been a primary DOGE goal. Image
Here's where it gets even more interesting:

There has been a SURGE in new listings in Washington, DC with a listing price of $1,000,000+.

There are now 525 listings of $1+ million and 44 listings worth $5+ million.

This suggests high-profile job exits are rising. Image
Just wait until we see the effects on commercial real estate in Washington, DC.

DOGE announced plans to eliminate up to TWO-THIRDS of US government office buildings, per WSJ.

Not a single major US government agency is currently occupying even 50% of their office space. Image
DOGE has specifically noted that Washington, DC federal government buildings are particularly empty.

On average, they are just 12% occupied.

The Department of Agriculture saw just ~456 of 7,400 employees use their office.

The DC real estate market is just getting started. Image
If you zoom out further, there are ~15 THOUSAND homes for sale around Washington, DC.

In fact, there are so many homes for sale in the downtown area that Zillow is grouping 280 homes together.

This is an unprecedented level of selling in a generally "strong" housing market. Image
Are layoffs and rising inventory in DC a coincidence?

Time will tell. But, we see more layoffs ahead as DOGE looks to cut $4 billion/day.

With US debt up $13 TRILLION since 2020, spending cuts are needed.

Follow us @KobeissiLetter for real time analysis as this develops. Image
DOGE's goal of rapidly reducing the $1.8 trillion US deficit will impact MULTIPLE markets.

The 10-year note yield has fallen ~40 bps from its high and gold is nearing $3000, even as inflation rebounded.

Subscribe below to see how we are trading it:

thekobeissiletter.com/subscribeImage
With mortgage demand at 30-year lows, stocks at all time highs, and DOGE disrupting government spending, tons of change is coming.

As investors, we must evolve with this change.

Be sure to turn on @Kobeissiletter post notifications to receive our real-time analysis.

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More from @KobeissiLetter

Apr 1
Yesterday marked one of our strongest ends to a quarter yet:

Throughout Q1 2025, we increased short exposure into most rallies of 3% or more on the basis of WEAKER sentiment.

This concluded with a large PUT position taken at on March 26th when the S&P 500 traded at 5780.

As shown below, one of our premium members was able to capitalize on a -280 POINT drawdown in 4 trading days.

With the Economic Policy Uncertainty Index now 70% above 2008 levels, Q2 2025 is going to be incredibly volatile.

Furthermore, most down days have come with ORDERLY selling, so far.

We have NOT seen capitulation yet.
Below is the FIRST alert we made for our premium members on March 26th.

We took shorts in the S&P 500 at 5776 and called for a drop into 5650.

Within a matter of hours, the S&P 500 had fallen into our target.

Subscribe to access our work:

thekobeissiletter.com/subscribeImage
On March 28th, we took more shorts into the weekend.

We posted, "It's hard to find a reason we do not retest the 5505 low from March 13th."

Our target was hit by 9:40 AM ET on Monday, March 31st.

Again, please see to access these alerts. thekobeissiletter.com/subscribeImage
Read 5 tweets
Apr 1
Markets are pricing-in a recession:

Over the last 11 weeks, the 10-year note yield has fallen 65 basis points in a massive reversal.

Meanwhile, 1 and 3-month annualized inflation metrics have risen to 4%+.

Rates are FALLING while inflation is RISING.

(a thread) Image
The start of President Trump's trade war came with a top in the 10-year note yield.

Throughout the course of the last 2 months, rates have fallen as markets priced in a recession.

The 25% auto tariff announcement marked the most recent lower high in yields.

This is important. Image
Following the March 13th relief rally, the S&P 500 was trading down just -6% from its peak.

Historically, if stocks subsequently dropped another 5% on average within the next 150 days, the US economy was in a recession.

On Monday, the S&P 500 hit the -11% threshold. Image
Read 13 tweets
Mar 31
This has NEVER happened in history:

The US Trade Policy Uncertainty Index is now ~25% ABOVE the Trump Trade War 1.0 high.

The S&P 500 is down -10.5% in 6 weeks and in correction territory, erasing -$3 TRILLION in 4 trading days.

Here's what's coming next.

(a thread) Image
On February 19th, the S&P 500 hit a new all time high of 6147.

The selloff accelerated into March when President Trump said he was "not watching the market."

On March 13th, a relief rally led into last week's 25% auto tariff announcement.

Today, we are back in a correction. Image
Markets are pricing-in a few key headlines from President Trump this weekend.

On Sunday at around 11 AM ET, President Trump threatened "bombing" Iran.

He also threatened 25%-50% tariffs on Russian oil.

Then, Trump said he “couldn’t care less” if automakers raise car prices. Image
Read 15 tweets
Mar 30
It's officially "reciprocal tariff" week:

President Trump has called Wednesday "Liberation Day" with 20%+ tariffs coming on up to 25+ countries.

US tariffs will impact $1.5+ TRILLION worth of imports by the end of April.

Here's what you need to know.

(a thread) Image
President Trump has been discussing this Wednesday, April 2nd, for weeks.

This is a day that he has named "Liberation Day" where widespread new tariffs are coming.

We believe April 2nd will be the biggest escalation of the trade war to date.

Markets are in for a wild week.
To be clear, this is the day when President Trump is announcing "Reciprocal Tariffs."

These will be NEW tariffs on top of already existing and announced tariffs.

While markets view that as a day where uncertainty will subside, we believe the exact opposite will be the case. Image
Read 15 tweets
Mar 29
The modern day gold rush:

Gold prices are now up +70% in 16 months with a new record market cap of $20.75 trillion.

In fact, gold is worth $1.25 trillion MORE than the COMBINED value of the remaining top 10 most valuable assets.

What is gold telling us?

(a thread) Image
It is incredible to think that in October 2023, gold was trading as low as $1,820/oz.

This week, we saw gold break above $3,100/oz for the first time in history.

Gold is now up +16% YTD while the S&P 500 is down nearly 10% from its all time.

So, what is gold telling us? Image
First, let's revisit a theme that we have been talking about for 12+ months now.

Gold's RELATIVE strength has been unparalleled over the last 2 years.

Even as the US Dollar, 10-year note yield, and S&P 500 gained, gold outperformed.

This doesn't happen in "normal" markets. Image
Read 15 tweets
Mar 29
This is absolutely insane:

From Wednesday to Friday, the S&P 500 lost -$100 billion PER trading hour for a total of -$2 TRILLION.

Then, after the market closed on Friday, S&P 500 futures erased ANOTHER -$120 billion in minutes.

What happened? Let us explain.

(a thread) Image
Let's begin with a brief timeline.

The S&P 500 bottomed on March 13th, at 5505, as President Trump's tariff headlines quieted down.

Through March 26th, tariff headlines were minimal and the S&P 500 rose +5%.

However, as soon as 25% auto tariffs arose, the rally was undone. Image
As the relief rally gained momentum, markets developed this narrative that tariff uncertainty has PEAKED.

This was a KEY misconception leading into last week's decline.

As a result, risk appetite rebounded and a bull trap was formed.

Sentiment is HIGHLY polarized. Image
Read 14 tweets

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