Archive for September, 2014

Scotland as a Reflection of Nationalism

Tuesday, September 16th, 2014

George Friedman of Strafor has penned a long but very interesting article on the history of European nationalism and how the vote in Scotland is a reflection of that strain of European history. It is replete with historical examples and references which give the article excellent context. Via Stratfor: The Origins and ...

September 16 2014 Opening

Tuesday, September 16th, 2014

Prices of Treasury coupon securities continue to rise as a round of sanguine economic data, end user buying and a bout of risk aversion motivate investors to put some cash to work. In the overnight session economic data released were fixed income friendly. In China foreign direct investment slumped 14 ...

FAQ on Scotland

Tuesday, September 16th, 2014

I received this from a fully paid up subscriber and it is a Q and A on the Scotland referendum authored by Goldman Sachs. Via a fully paid up subscriber: Q. Who is entitled to vote? A. All European Union and Commonwealth citizens who are resident in Scotland and at least 16 years ...

Merrill Lynch on Credit Spreads

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Via Merrill Lynch Research: Rates risk weighs on spreads. Already this month a benchmark long term HG ETF is down nearly 2.5% - the 10th worst month since 2003. While HG is shaping up to be a rare reading in the 7th percentile of historical monthly returns, the 1.7% decline in ...

End Of Day

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Via Richard Gilhooly at TDSecurities: Intermediates led a modest rally in Treasuries today, as earlier flattening in the yield curve reversed after the 11am buy-back and 5-30s moved from 1bp flatter to around 1bp steeper on the day. This followed Friday's more significant steepening of 5bp, following the bond auction which ...

Equity Market Anomalies

Monday, September 15th, 2014

The Nasdaq is down about 1 percent today whilst the S and P is only down 0.2 and the Dow is posting a marginal gain. One fully paid up subscriber with knowledge of equities noted that the Alibaba IPO was a chunk of prospective supply and was keeping some money ...

Treasury Market Update

Monday, September 15th, 2014

The Treasury yield curve has steepened quite a bit today. I see 5s 30s at 155 following an early morning opening at 152.9. Similarly the 5s 10s spread is at 80 after opening at 79.3. Last Wednesday on the day of the 10 year note auction that spread was 75 ...

Swap Spreads

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Swap spreads are largely unchanged to day in 2s 5 s 10s and 30s. One portfolio manager said though that he had heard last week and again today of convexity clients buying high strike payers to protect against higher rates. When dealers hedge that flow they become payers in the ...

Corporate List Thus Far

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Via Bloomberg: *PNC Bank NA B'Mark A2/A 2 part  3 & 5 yr **1 mo par call prior **IPT 3Y +55 area 5Y +75 area ** Books: C,GS,MS,PNC *Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. 250mm (ng) A2/A **20Y  6 mo par call prior **IPT +90 area **Books: WFS,RBC Co's: LOOP,PNC *Ross Stores, Inc. 250mm (ng) A3/A- **10Y  3 mo par call prior **IPT +100 ...

Corporate Bond Spreads at the Open

Monday, September 15th, 2014

This is a little dated as it arrived while I was in the dentist chair an hour ago but bank and finance paper is opening unchanged to 2 basis points wider in the long end. The IG 22 is 1/4 wider at 59 3/4 60 1/4.