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Author: Lee Adler

Fragile Equilibrium: Fed Mini-QE Holds the Line as the Basis Trade Unwinds

The Fed’s ~$50–55B/month in outright T-bill and T-bill buys to replace MBS prepayments has been sufficient to offset the withdrawal of the hedge fund Treasury basis trade. Hedge funds have cut short Treasury futures positions by 600,000 contracts since September in the 10 year Treasury futures alone. So far the Fed is winning the battle to hold the line. 

Lighter Treasury Supply, Plus Fed Help is Not a Bearish Equation

I’m having cataract surgery Tuesday afternoon. Since I’ll be out of commission for a few days, I wanted to give a quick overview of the Treasury supply outlook for the next 3 months.

February is normally a month of big supply because taxpayers expecting big refunds are motivated to file early, resulting in heavy cash demands on the Treasury. That normally means more debt issuance, with resulting pressure on bond and stock prices.

Market at a Crossroads: Range Breakout or High-Risk Cycle Top?

The market is in a rising wedge pushing against resistance, requiring a move above xxxx for an upside breakout or a close below xxxx to break the uptrend. While short-term technical bias remains bullish, indicators show a lack of thrust, placing the market in a high-risk window as it nears potential long-term cycle tops. 

Here are the support and resistance levels, cycle projections, and indicators to watch to determine the direction of the next big move. 

Cycle Alignment Points to Impending Market Correction

The market is in a rising wedge pushing against resistance, requiring a move above xxxx for an upside breakout or a close below xxxx to break the uptrend. While short-term technical bias remains bullish, indicators show a lack of thrust, placing the market in a high-risk window as it nears potential long-term cycle tops. 

Here are the support and resistance levels, cycle projections, and indicators to watch to determine the direction of the next big move.