FICC

The Fed hiked 25 basis points at yesterday’s FOMC meeting while also signaling that the tightening cycle is now on hold. We discuss the short-run and long-run implications for Treasury yields.

This week we present our Portfolio Allocation Summary for May 2023.

Yen bulls need patience. The near-term narrative remains bearish on the back of interest-rate differentials. Longer term, it is the most attractive currency the G10, on valuation grounds.

Yen bulls need patience. The near-term narrative remains bearish on the back of interest-rate differentials. Longer term, it is the most attractive currency the G10, on valuation grounds.

Fertilizer prices will continue to move lower as the natgas price shock touched off by the Russian invasion of Ukraine dissipates. As a result, we expect grain prices to soften another 10% this year. Food-price inflation will move lower over the course of the year as grain prices weaken, provided a weather- or geopolitical shock does not once again send natgas prices higher.

Special Report

In this volume of BCA Crypto we compare gold against bitcoin. We begin by dispelling some common misconceptions that investors have about gold, and why, at its core, gold is driven more by belief than by intrinsic value. We then proceed to explain why gold still serves an important role in our economy and how it differs from fiat money. Later, we explain how bitcoin is different from other cryptocurrencies, and why it could rival gold as a reserve asset in the future. Finally, we discuss the outlook for bitcoin, as well as which macro factors investor should watch.

First Republic Bank’s earnings report showed how its struggles have exaggerated the perception of other banks’ distress. Ex-FRC, the banking system appears to be coping with the post-Silicon Valley Bank turmoil pretty well.

Special Report

This Special Report discusses why there is a non-negligible risk that the US Congress will not reach a timely agreement to lift the debt ceiling this summer. It also discusses what will happen in bond markets in the lead up to the debt limit and in the case where a deal is not reached in time.

In this week’s report, we look at the current de-dollarization discussion within the context of the USD’s near-term cyclical outlook, and whether it warrants a bullish or bearish stance.

We are increasing our gold price target to $2,200/oz, given the increasing risk of fiscal dominance in the US, rising geopolitical risk, the return of trading blocs and currency debasement risk. These risks also will increase economic uncertainty, which also will be bullish for gold.