Corporate Leverage in the U.S. U.S. corporate debt is high. This chart shows that U.S. corporate leverage is close to its previous peak on a net debt to EBITDA. You may also like “U.S. Leveraged Loan Index Rating Breakdown: 2008 vs. 2019.” Image: Credit Suisse Research
Value of U.S. Corporate Bonds by Rating Since the Great Recession, the U.S. corporate bond debt rated ‘BBB’ exceeds $3 trillion. If the U.S. economy goes wrong, this is bad news for investors. Image: The Wall Street Journal
U.S. Corporate Stock Buybacks Are Booming Since 2010! Thanks to tax cuts and low interest rates. What would happen if companies reinvested instead of buying their own shares? Unfortunately, artificially low interest rates are associated with unnecessary debt. See how corporate debt-to-GDP has increased since the Great Recession.
Why U.S. Productivity Is Lower Than Previous Business Cycles? The real yield is the most important measure of financial tightness. But as the real yield is near zero, artificially low interest rates are then associated with unnecessary debt, zombie firms and lower productivity than previous business cycles. Zombie firms cannot invest, innovate and increase productivity. …
Dalio Says U.S. Two Years From Downturn as Tax Cut Benefit Fades Hedge fund manager Ray Dalio speaks with Erik Schatzker about the next downturn and the impact of tax cuts. He also discusses debt cycles and the fact that central banks should control the level of debt and take responsibility for bubbles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1xcQKIl850
Small-Caps: Upper End of Long-Term Range The combination of historical patterns, attractive valuations, and positive earnings growth forecasts suggests that U.S. small-caps may be well-positioned for a period of outperformance in the near future. Image: Fundstrat Global Advisors, LLC
Survey – Credit Investors: What Are Your Biggest Concerns? The 2024 U.S. election outcome could significantly impact fiscal policy, debt, interest rates, inflation, and economic growth, which are key concerns for U.S. credit investors. Image: BofA Credit Investor Survey
Treasury General Account Issuance U.S. Treasury issuance is expected to increase after the debt ceiling agreement, which could drain liquidity from the system. Image: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Fiscal Stimulus in the Major Economies U.S. fiscal stimulus is boosting growth at the cost of increased debt. Image: BofA Global Research
Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index and Recessions This indicator provides an update on U.S. financial conditions in money markets, debt, equity markets and the traditional & “shadow” banking systems. If financial conditions tighten sharply, this suggests a coming slowdown or recession.
Buybacks and Dividends as Percentage of Market Capitalization Amid gloomy earnings, U.S. companies are increasingly using debt to fund buybacks and dividends. Image: Institute of International Finance