Posts Tagged ‘seattle neighborhoods’
Occupy Wall Street
The Occupy Wall Street movement appears to be gaining momentum. Thousands have taken to the streets today with hundreds being arrested. The Troll noted that he was concerned that the European riots would make their way to the U.S. (see Washington State. The Big Layoff). While the Troll agrees that Wall Street should be held accountable for their actions leading to current economic conditions, others should be held accountable as well (U.S. Congress). The 2012 elections will go a long way in shaping the path forward. Hopefully, voters will arm themselves with enough information to choose wisely.
The Troll
Mortgage Market Update for 9-14
The Troll wanted to post earlier this week but his loan processor is on vacation and he had to close some loans. Remember he is still a mortgage broker and real estate broker first. It must be this way because he has little trolls to feed. Did you know that little trolls have voracious appetites? Food for thought anyway and now onto the mortgage news.
The releases today were helpful to bonds and mortgage interest rates. The Producer Price Index (PPI)which measures the average change over time in selling prices received by domestic producers for their output came out at zero today. These prices are typically the first commercial transaction for many products and some services. It means that prices are not increasing for manufacturers and inflation is not problematic. Retail sales were also completely flat. These numbers are not indicative of an economic recovery. The Troll doesn’t see a recovery for quite some time. The immediate issues of the day are in Europe, U.S. housing and unemployment. Until these problems are solved, we can expect pretty low interest rates, with some occasional scares along the way.
Sec Treasury Geithner on CNBC this morning saying Europe has the financial strength to avoid defaults in the countries that are on the edge with debt. He said the obvious, that Europe’s problems are causing a lack of confidence in the US. He encouraged Congress to pass the jobs bill offered up by the Administration. He also admitted US growth isn’t what the Administration had expected.
Pessimism about the economy has deepened and confidence in both U.S. political parties has fallen, with only 20% saying the country is on the right course. As little as 9% of Americans say they are confident the economy won’t slide into a recession, according to a Bloomberg National Poll.
As long as the 10 yr note doesn’t climb above 2.10% the positive outlook will continue, a break above it would set up a run up to 2.30% and take mortgage rates up with it. Next week the FOMC will hold a two day meeting, some traders are looking for more Fed help, while others including some FOMC members don’t believe more quantitative easing (QE) is necessary.
The Troll
Daily Pfenning 8-23
In This Issue
* Gold sees profit taking as it nears $2,000.
* Currencies take their turn with the dollar.
* Eurozone & China PMI’s beat forecasts.
* Canadian Retail Sales to disappoint.
The trading was all about Gold (and Silver) yesterday again, but it looks like they are finally seeing some profit taking this morning, while the currencies move higher. Hmmm. I had better see what’s up, doc!
Front and Center this morning, Gold and Silver are seeing some profit taking, after Gold climbed as high as $1,897!!! ($1,910 in futures!) I told the boys and girls on the desk yesterday that I truly believed that once Gold moved past $1,900, that it wouldn’t take long for it to get to $2,000, because of all the momentum behind it, and the idea that so many analysts have called for $2,000 Gold of course, I don’t know anything “inside” that would make me think that. It’s simply my opinion, and I could be wrong!
So with Gold & Silver backing off their lofty levels of yesterday afternoon, the currencies have decided to take over. It’s like a tag-team wrestling match, folks. Gold beat on the dollar, until it was tired, tagged the currencies, and now it’s their turn to beat on the dollar. So, as I look at the currency screens this morning, I see that all the currencies that are supposed to show “green numbers” are green, and all the currencies that are supposed to show “red numbers” are red, which means it’s an all out rout on the dollar. You can see that even the currencies of Japan and Switzerland, which rallied alongside the dollar when it was “risk aversion” and flight to safety time, have turned on the dollar, and are rallying beside the other currencies this morning!
The beaten and beleaguered euro is up $1.25 this morning. So, in my conspiracy world, I would think that it’s about time that the U.S. media begins to dig up more dirt on the Eurozone, so as to take the focus away from the U.S.’s problems, that are probably deeper than most realize, and I do believe that this Friday’s speech by Fed Chairman, Big Ben Bernanke, will highlight the need for more stimulus. And that thought is shared by the bond guys, who are selling Treasuries ahead of the speech, because they don’t want to be caught with Treasuries when everyone is heading for the exit door at the same time!
Now, don’t get me wrong. Things are seriously wrong in the Eurozone, this morning, German Economic Sentiment as measured by the think tank ZEW, showed some real rot on the vine folks. The reading of the index number shows us that Economic Sentiment is at its lowest level in 2 1/2 years! The Composite Manufacturing Index (PMI) remained stable above the line in the sand figure of 50 (at 51.1). But when the Services piece is taken out, the actual Manufacturing Index fell to 49.7. That’s not good folks. However, the number was better than the forecasts, so that takes some of the sting out of report.
Speaking of Manufacturing. China printed their manufacturing index (PMI) last night, and improved from July’s number of 49.3 to 49.8. Yes, it’s below “50” but it’s hanging on folks and that’s a bright spot for global growth. Hey, you didn’t expect for China to continue to have guns a-blazin’ while the U.S. and Europe meltdown did you? Yes, China has done a good job of driving domestic demand to offset the loss of exports while the U.S. and Europe meltdown, but, exports are still “king”.
Since China’s Manufacturing report was somewhat better than forecast, and improved on July’s number, the currencies of Australia and New Zealand are booking gains this morning. The Aussie dollar (A$) is back to $1.05, and kiwi has pushed back above 83-cents!
So. It looks like my thought that this weeks’ Jackson Hole meeting was going to be the Big Kahuna for the markets is really taking shape. There are more stories about what the writer believes will happen at Jackson Hole this week, than any other story on the news wires.
Did you see what the S&P Chairman got for downgrading the U.S. credit rating? He got shown the door! Ok, he will step down next month. But don’t you find that just a little interesting? My conspiracy blood is boiling right now. I’m thinking the U.S. Gov’t decided to show the rest of the rating agencies what would happen to their leaders should they follow S&P’s downgrade with a downgrade of their own!
Then there was this. “Fears of a double-dip recession have been eased in Germany after this year’s estimated budget deficit was slashed from 2.5 to 1.5 percent. The German Finance ministry claimed its public finances will be balanced by 2014. Germany appeared to be back on top as Europe’s powerhouse economy on Monday after it announced that it cut this year’s estimated budget deficit from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent. Monday’s reduction more than halved the 2010 deficit which stood at 3.3 percent. According to a report published by Germany’s Finance Ministry public finances will now be balanced sooner than expected.”
Way to go Germany! See. It can be done civilly and without all the drama, and political theater.
To recap – its tag team time, and Gold and Silver became tired of beating on the dollar, and tagged the currencies to take over. Gold is seeing some profit taking this morning, after getting very close to $1,900 ($1,910 in futures). The risk appetite for the markets is healthier this morning. Europe and China printed PMI’s (manufacturing), and while both printed below the “50” level, both were stronger than forecast. And so with China, the global growth traders were happy.
That’s it for today. I see my beloved Missouri Tigers football team, is ranked number 21 in the preseason poll. Not too shabby considering they lost two top players “early” to the NFL draft that went in the first 10 picks! And with that, I’ll get this out the door, and hope you have a Terrific Tuesday!
Chuck Butler
President
EverBank World Markets