Category: Blog

Interest Payments on the U.S. National Debt The chart shows that net interest payments on the U.S. national debt are on the rise again, despite low interest rates. Image: PEW Research Center

FedEx Stock Price Leads World Trade Volume by Three Months This chart suggests that FedEx is usually a good leading indicator of the world economy. You may also like “FedEx vs. World Trade.” Image: Deutsche Bank Global Research

U.S. Corporate Profit Margin and Recession The chart shows a U.S. corporate profit margin proxy. If it declines below 10% in this business cycle (red line), it could suggest a coming recession.

Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) Leads Global Manufacturing PMI by Three Months This chart suggests that the rally in semiconductor stocks may herald a global growth rebound. Image: Oxford Economics, Macrobond

U.S. Twin Deficits (% of GDP) Lead the U.S. Dollar Broad REER by 18 Months The chart suggests that the U.S. dollar should weaken over time. You may also like “U.S. Twin Deficits (% of GDP) Lead Real Trade Weighted Dollar Index by Two Years” and “U.S. Dollar and Relative Growth (GDP Spread)” and “U.S. Budget…

U.S. Dollar and Relative Growth (GDP Spread) The chart shows that the U.S. Dollar REER is about relative growth (U.S. GDP – Other Developed Market GDP YoY). You may also like “U.S. Twin Deficits (% of GDP) Lead Real Trade Weighted Dollar Index by Two Years” and “U.S. Twin Deficits (% of GDP) Lead U.S.…

U.S. Bond Market Hedged and Unhedged Investors are frantically searching for yield, knowing that 25% of all bonds in the world trade at negative interest rates. Our world is aging with high levels of debt and low interest rates (maybe for a long time). Image: Fidelity Investments

U.S. Economic Expansions The current business cycle is the longest expansion, but it’s also the weakest. Image: The Wall Street Journal

Stock Plus Bond Market Capitalization as a Percentage of Nominal GDP The current reading is pretty high at 274.47%. You may also like the “Stock Market Valuation” and “S&P 500 Index – Earnings & Valuation.” Image: Bianco Research

Stock Market Capitalization as a Percentage of Nominal GDP This ratio is useful in determining whether the U.S. stock market is undervalued or overvalued relative to its historical average. The current reading is pretty high at 149.15%. You may also like the “Stock Market Valuation” and “S&P 500 Index – Earnings & Valuation.” Image: Bianco Research

Negative-Yielding Debt by Country The chart shows negative-yielding debt by country as of June 2019. Bondholders will get back less than what they paid if they hold bonds to maturity. So, in a sense, negative yield bonds are a tax on bondholders. Picture Source: Bloomberg