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Is Bitcoin Data Giving The Green Light?

Darius sat down with Anthony Pompliano last week to discuss global liquidity, the Macro Weather Model, Bitcoin, and more.

If you missed the interview, here are three takeaways from the conversation that have significant implications for your portfolio: 

1. Our 42 Macro Weather Model Is Suggesting A Less Bullish Outlook Over The Medium Term

In our previous appearance on The Pomp Podcast, our Macro Weather Model signaled a bullish 3-month outlook for risk assets. 

However, as of last week, the model has signaled neutral outlooks for both the stock market and Bitcoin over a three-month timeframe. 

While these signals are not explicitly bearish, they indicate a shift toward a more bearish environment. 

This change is primarily driven by the Sovereign Fiscal Balance to Nominal GDP Ratio, which has recently inflected to a positive trend. 

This implies a lower fiscal impulse compared to 2023, potentially leading to a less favorable environment for risk assets.

2. We Believe Global Liquidity Is Likely To Continue Trending Higher Over The Next Quarter or Two

Our 42 Macro Net Liquidity Model, which is calculated by taking the Federal Reserve Balance Sheet and subtracting the Treasury General Account (TGA) Balance and the Reverse Repo Program (RRP) Balance, is trending higher.

Similarly, our 42 Macro Global Liquidity Proxy, which is calculated by summing the Global Central Bank Balance Sheet, Global Broad Money Supply, and Global Foreign Exchange Reserves ex-Gold, is also trending higher.

Furthermore, leading indicators for both the Net Liquidity Model and Global Liquidity Proxy suggest a sustained positive trend in liquidity for at least the next two quarters.

3. We Expect Bitcoin Will Perform Well Over The Long Term

We recommend investors view Bitcoin simply as an additional asset class to maintain a rational perspective and avoid becoming too emotionally invested in the asset. 

That said, it is important to note that the introduction of the ETF is a structurally positive fundamental, likely to boost inflows into this asset class over the long term. 

Additionally, our research into the Fourth Turning indicates we will likely experience well-above-trend inflation over the next decade. 

As a result, the traditional 60/40 investment portfolio is unlikely to yield the same returns it did in the past decade. 

This scenario is likely to prompt investors to seek alternative investment opportunities, and we anticipate a significant portion of this capital redirection towards alternative assets, with Bitcoin being a favored destination among millennial, gen-z, and tech-focused investors.

That’s a wrap! 

If you found this blog post helpful:

1. Go to www.42macro.com to unlock actionable, hedge-fund-caliber investment insights.

2. RT this thread and follow @DariusDale42 and @42Macro.

3. Have a great day!

What Should You Expect From The Bitcoin ETF?

Darius sat down with Anthony Pompliano last week to discuss the Bitcoin ETF, global liquidity, and more.

If you missed the interview, here are three takeaways from the conversation that have significant implications for your portfolio: 

1. Our Wall Street Clients Are Closely Watching The BTC ETF Approval

BTC’s price appreciation throughout 2023 has fueled the excitement among Portfolio Managers and RIAs.

Generally, reception from our institutional clients for the BTC ETF has been warm, and we expect BTC to perform well over the long term as a result.

2. Favorable Market Conditions And An Increase In Tax Efficiency Support Flows to BTC

Many institutional investors have avoided BTC due to the complexities of tax reporting. 

An ETF is a tax-efficient investment vehicle, so we expect it will increase inflows into the asset class.

With a vast multi-trillion dollar pool in investment advisory allocations, we believe there will be a shift at the margins from traditional alternative investments like gold, commodities, and real estate towards BTC. 

Additionally, we believe the current GOLDILOCKS regime will support inflows into the asset class over the short term. 

3. We Expect Global Liquidity to Continue Increasing Over The Medium Term

Over the past two quarters, our 42 Macro Net Liquidity model, which is calculated by taking the Federal Reserve Balance Sheet and subtracting the Treasury General Account (TGA) Balance and the Reverse Repo Program (RRP) Balance, has maintained an upward trend.

Similarly, our 42 Macro Global Liquidity Proxy, which is derived by summing the Global Central Bank Balance Sheet, Global Broad Money Supply, and Global Foreign Exchange Reserves ex-Gold, has also shown an upward trend in the past few quarters. 

This model is particularly significant for projecting asset market performance. 

In addition, there are a number of leading indicators that support robust private-sector liquidity creation. 

Based on these factors, we anticipate a continued increase in liquidity over the medium term.

That’s a wrap! 

If you found this blog post helpful:

1. Go to www.42macro.com to unlock actionable, hedge-fund-caliber investment insights.

2. RT this thread and follow @DariusDale42 and @42Macro.

3. Have a great day!

Is It Time To Get Risky in Crypto?

Darius sat down with  Paul Barron on the Paul Barron Network last week to discuss the “soft” vs. “hard” vs. “no” landing debate, Bitcoin ETF, earnings, and more.

If you missed the interview, here are three takeaways from the conversation that have significant implications for your portfolio: 

1. Near Textbook Disinflation in The Super Core PCE Deflator Suggests That The Fed May Safely Land The Inflation Plane At 2% In The Coming Quarters

The likelihood of a soft landing for the economy has increased, as highlighted by last week’s PCE report. 

Notably, the 3-month annualized rate of inflation change stands at 2.1%, and the 6-month rate is at 1.9% – figures that align closely with the Federal Reserve’s target inflation rate of 2%. 

These readings suggest that year-over-year inflation is set to decline towards 2% in the upcoming quarters.

This downward trend in inflation is reinforcing the soft landing scenario currently being priced into asset markets.

2. We Believe Upcoming Earnings Reports Will Outperform Recent Quarters 

Signs of enhancement in corporate profitability are already evident. 

Our Corporate Profitability model, which tracks the spread between Gross Domestic Income growth minus the spread between Unit Labor Cost and Productivity, shows that Corporate Profits bottomed a few quarters ago and have improved since. 

According to the model, earnings are expected to continue improving. 

Should this trend persist, it will act as a tailwind for asset markets.

3. The Impact of The Bitcoin ETF Will Take Time to Materialize

The approval of a Bitcoin ETF is likely to have a long-term positive impact on BTC, as it will introduce structural inflows into the asset class. 

However, it is important to note that these benefits will not be fully captured immediately upon the ETF’s approval. 

We believe that much of the anticipated impact is already factored into current prices, due to market participants front running the event. 

That said, the ETF is not the sole influencer of Bitcoin’s price. Factors such as inflation, economic growth, policy changes, and liquidity also play crucial roles in determining Bitcoin price trends. 

Investors aiming to stay informed about Bitcoin’s future trajectory should monitor these metrics closely.

That’s a wrap! 

If you found this blog post helpful:

1. Go to www.42macro.com to unlock actionable, hedge-fund-caliber investment insights.

2. RT this thread and follow @DariusDale42 and @42Macro.

3. Have a great day!

What does the future hold for the US economy?

Darius sat down with Warren Pies on Pro to Pro Live last week to discuss the business cycle, fiscal stimulus, inflation, and more.

If you missed the interview, here are three takeaways from the conversation that have significant implications for your portfolio: 

1. This Has Been An Income-Driven Business Cycle, Not A Credit-Driven Business Cycle… Focus on Income, Not Credit

The current business cycle has been driven by income growth rather than credit expansion. 

This is significant because income-driven growth is typically seen as more sustainable than growth fueled by excessive borrowing.

Additionally, capital misallocation and adverse selection are common precursors to a recession. 

Today’s economy is currently showing no meaningful signs of either.

Although a yield curve inversion has been a reliable indicator historically, we believe assuming that it guarantees a recession may be foolish.

2. Fiscal Stimulus Has Been A Major Contributing Factor to The Resiliency of Household Income… This dynamic Is Dissipating At The Margins

To get an idea of where fiscal policy is headed over the medium term, investors can observe:

Although the direct impacts of fiscal stimulus on household income may be reducing, fiscal policy still leans towards supporting economic growth.

3. Textbook Core PCE And Super Core PCE Disinflation Are Supportive of Market Expectations For Rate Cuts Throughout 2024

The most recent Core PCE reading indicates an increase of 2.3% on a 3-month annualized rate of change basis and an increase of 2.5% on a 6-month annualized rate of change basis. That is positive.

The most recent Super Core PCE reading indicates an increase of 2.6% on a 3-month annualized rate of change basis and an increase of 3.0% on a 6-month annualized rate of change basis. That is also positive. 

The recent softening in labor market conditions, specifically in terms of a reduction in labor demand indicated by total job openings and not total employment, is significant and suggests that the labor market is cooling without a considerable increase in unemployment.

The current economic environment is likely to continue as long as these trends in inflation measures and labor market conditions persist, along with the fiscal dynamics mentioned above. 

We believe this environment will be one where moderate inflation, a balanced labor market, and supportive fiscal policies create a stable economic backdrop.

That’s a wrap! 

If you found this blog post helpful:

1. Go to www.42macro.com to unlock actionable, hedge-fund-caliber investment insights.

2. RT this thread and follow @DariusDale42 and @42Macro.

3. Have a great day!

Macro Market Outlook

Darius sat down with Andy Constan last week on 42 Macro’s Pro to Pro discussion to explore the US Treasury, fiscal stimulus, and the US dollar.

If you missed the interview, here are three takeaways from the conversation that have significant implications for your portfolio: 

1. While The US Treasury Has Been Capitalizing on Strong Demand for Short-Term T-Bills, It Is Also Considering Issuing Longer-Term Coupon Bonds

Although the US Treasury has continued to flood the market with T-bills over the past three quarters to tap into excess demand via the Fed’s Reverse Repo Facility, they may begin to issue longer-term coupons.

The decision to issue more long-term debt is influenced by the current low or negative term premium, which makes issuing longer-term bonds cheaper for the Treasury. 

2. Fiscal Stimulus, Which Has Been A Major Contributing Factor to The Resiliency of Household Income, Has Peaked

In 2023, the US economy featured a record non-war, non-recession budget deficit. 

However, the impulse peaked earlier in 2023 and has shown signs of moderation: the budget deficit on a YTD, YoY basis was up $834 billion in June, $535 billion in August, and now only $255 billion in October. 

As a result of the slowing impulse, we believe we will return to more typical levels of government spending and budget deficits. 

The challenges faced by investors due to the previously high levels of Treasury debt issuance are likely behind us… for now.

3. Is The US Dollar Entering A Bear Market?

We expect the US Dollar to decline if we continue to get data that supports a soft landing.

Additionally, our research suggests the US dollar is overvalued on a real effective exchange rate basis and relative to current inflation dynamics and that the path of least resistance for the dollar is down.

However, the Fed is currently adopting a more restrictive policy than the rest of many central banks worldwide, supporting the dollar. 

This approach tends to attract foreign investment seeking higher returns, which increases the demand for and drives up the value of the U.S. dollar. 

While there is a push-pull between these dynamics, we believe there is a credible path to a bear market for the US dollar. 

That’s a wrap! 

If you found this blog post helpful:

1. Go to www.42macro.com to unlock actionable, hedge-fund-caliber investment insights.

2. RT this thread and follow @DariusDale42 and @42Macro.

3. Have a great day!

What’s Driving Global Liquidity?

Darius sat down with Maggie Lake last week on Real Vision’s Daily Briefing to discuss all things Global Liquidity.

If you missed the interview, here are three takeaways from the conversation that have significant implications for your portfolio: 

1. The Recent Surge In The Dollar Has Negatively Impacted Global Liquidity

Our 42 Macro Global Liquidity proxy, a sum of global central bank balance sheets, global broad money supply, and global FX reserves minus gold, is a key driver of risk assets like equities and bitcoin.

Since mid-July, the US Dollar has rallied aggressively. This rally weighed on global liquidity because the Dollar and FX volatility are negatively correlated to global liquidity.

If we see a breakout in currency volatility, which is in the process of occurring according to our Volatility-Adjusted Momentum Signal, the negative global liquidity impulse could continue to decline, negatively impacting risk assets. 

2. Currency And Interest Rate Volatility Have Hampered Private Sector Liquidity

Most retail investors think of liquidity solely in terms of whether or not central banks are supplying liquidity to the global financial system. 

Private sector agents like commercial banks and non-bank lenders – primarily from net international investment surplus economies like Europe and Japan – also supply liquidity, referred to as “private sector liquidity.”

Recent currency and interest rate volatility have made it difficult for these private sector agents to supply liquidity to the system, impeding the overall global liquidity supply.

3. The Dollar Could Reach Its Highs From Last October If It Slows Its Trajectory

If the dollar continues its aggressive trend over the next few months, the Fed may have to step in and intervene because it will likely coincide with something “breaking” in the Treasury market. 

But, if the dollar slows its trajectory and grinds its way higher, we believe it may reach its highs of $113 from October of last year in DXY terms.

That’s a wrap! 

If you found this blog post helpful:

  1. Go to www.42macro.com to unlock actionable, hedge-fund-caliber investment insights.
  2. RT this thread and follow @DariusDale42 and @42Macro.
  3. Have a great day!

The Current State of China

Darius sat down with Anthony Pompliano last week to discuss China’s economic landscape.

If you missed the interview, here are three takeaways from the conversation that have significant implications for your portfolio: 

1. The Evergrande Debt Default May Have Spillover Effects on The Broader Chinese Economy

One of Evergrande’s subsidiaries recently defaulted on nearly 600 million dollars worth of principal and interest payments.



The implications are significant for two reasons:

A bankruptcy of Evergrande’s size could lead to knock-on effects for the Chinese economy.

2. If China Does Not Issue Large-Scale Fiscal Stimulus, They Will Likely Remain In Their Liquidity Trap.

China and Japan supplied trillions of dollars in global liquidity from Q4 2022 to Q1 2023, a primary factor in the BTC and stock market recovery we have seen so far this year.



But if China does not issue large-scale fiscal stimulus, they will likely fall back into their “liquidity trap”:

Today, China’s economy looks very similar to Japan’s from the early 1990s. 

3. Just Because The Chinese Economy Has Downshifted From A Growth Perspective Does Not Mean It Will Stop Demanding Energy Products

The volume of Crude Oil imports is near all-time high levels established in 2020.

Conversely, the volume of Copper imports is down 38% from the 2020 highs. 

This is significant because Crude Oil creates inflation across the global economy, while Copper more closely signifies underlying demand for materials and goods and is correlated to growth.

That’s a wrap! 

If you found this blog post helpful:

  1. Go to www.42macro.com to unlock actionable, hedge-fund-caliber investment insights.
  2. RT this thread and follow @DariusDale42 and @42Macro.
  3. Have a great day!

What is the Outlook for Commercial Real Estate?

Darius recently sat down with Nick Halaris to explore the current state of US commercial real estate.

If you missed the interview, here are three takeaways from the conversation that have significant implications for your portfolio: 

1. A Commercial Real Estate Disaster May Be On The Horizon

Over the past couple of years, there has been a confluence of factors that have negatively impacted the real estate sector:

As a result, US commercial property prices are back down to pre-covid levels. Although they have declined substantially since the COVID-19 blow-off top, they will likely decline even further.


 

2. Commercial Real Estate Distress Levels Are On The Rise… Albeit Slowly

Distress levels in US commercial real estate have been accelerating since mid-2020 but are not yet at levels seen in the Great Financial Crisis because:

3. Commercial Real Estate Investment Volume Is Drying Up

Investment volume is down significantly YoY across commercial real estate:

Sellers are hesitant to sell because they expect inflation will increase again, increasing the value of their properties back to 2022 levels.

Buyers are hesitant to buy because their existing exposure is declining in value and interest rates are pricing them out of further investment.

Transactions are sparse as a result. The waiting game continues….

That’s a wrap! 

If you found this blog post helpful:

  1. Go to www.42macro.com to unlock actionable, hedge-fund-caliber investment insights.
  2. RT this thread and follow @DariusDale42 and @42Macro.
  3. Have a great day!

US-Global Growth Divergence

Last week, Composite PMIs came in below expectations across continental Europe and in China. Stagflation is the fear in Europe, while deflation is the fear in China. Neither public sector appears ready to supply the liquidity required to ignite animal spirits within their respective economies and financial markets. Regarding the Composite PMI data specifically, only four (Japan, Russia, Brazil, and US) of the 13 economies that have reported thus far posted MoM accelerations in August. Only Japan, China, India, Russia, Brazil, and the US reported figures greater than 50, indicating expansion. Europe was a noteworthy laggard with Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Eurozone, and UK all slowing sequentially to sub-50 readings, indicating contraction.

It is now fashionable to make the short-USA/long-RoW (rest of world) call, citing valuation differentials, but we disagree with that view. Valuation is not a catalyst for market developments, Rather, valuation merely acts as an accelerant when flows reverse. FWIW, we do not believe valuations matter all the time; in fact, most of the time valuation is irrelevant because the overwhelming majority of investors cannot take risk in accordance the time horizons (3, 5, 10 years) that valuation metrics are most instructive on. Retail investors generally operate on short to medium-term time horizons because of FEAR and FOMO; institutional investors generally operate on short to medium-term time horizons because of career risk.

“No Landing” = No Liquidity, Says The US Dollar

The US Dollar Index is poised for its ninth consecutive weekly advance — the longest winning streak since 2005 as the global currency market rerates economic resiliency in the US and derates the economic outlooks in Europe and China. The reason why FX and interest rate volatility are drags on global liquidity is because when net international investment surplus economies like Japan and the Eurozone see their currencies weaken, it makes it harder for their financial intermediaries to create the dollars required to capitalize investments around the world. FX and interest rate volatility complicate that process and slow down the creation of new dollar supply at the margins.

Growth of the world’s demand for dollars is more stable due to the refinancing requirements of the existing stock of cross-border financing that is denominated in USD — roughly 50% of the total, with ~65% of cross-border loans and ~80% of international debt securities issued by entities that have no organic access to dollars. Thus, fluctuations in the supply of new dollars have an outsized influence in driving FX trends because of the relatively inelastic demand for dollars versus a more elastic dollar supply curve. More FX and interest rate volatility = marginal dollar supply falls faster than marginal dollar demand = stronger dollar. Less FX and interest rate volatility = marginal dollar supply rises faster than marginal dollar demand = weaker USD. This process is reflexive and feeds on itself until exogenous factors like central bank pivots inflect the trend. This is why price momentum in the currency market tends to trend.