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Category: Daily Instagraph

Not so scared

By root

The Buffett-indicator is one of the preferred measures used by the famous value investor to evaluate the attractiveness of the overall equity market in terms of valuation. It is simply the market capitalization divided by the GDP. With this ratio below 100, global markets do not look stretched on this measure and do not scare … Continued

The Wall ( of debt )

By root

While we are all focussed on the Q3 result season, the number one issue that must keep CFOs of leveraged companies awake at night is the refinancing of their debt. Companies cruised through 2023 with little need of refinancing at high rates. This is going to change radically over the next 4 years and put … Continued

Something to chew on over the weekend

By root

As shown in the below graph from BCA Research, we should not fool ourselves into believing that company earnings have been the main driver of the impressive equity bull market we have seen over the last 40 years in the US stock market. The main contributor was multiple expansion, or inflation of asset prices, unrelated … Continued

Do not jump to conclusions

By root

2023 so far has been a difficult year for the investors in 4 of the most prominent US Banks. However, the overall picture is much more diverse and complex than these 4 graphs would suggest for several reasons. Firstly, both Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are heavily exposed to investment banking where we are seeing … Continued

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes

By root

The Greek 10 year government bond yield stands at 4.22% this morning. This is remarkable as it is below the Treasury yield in the US (4.83%). Things appear indeed to improve in Greece: S&P raised last week its long-term issuer ratings to ‘BBB-/A-3’ with a stable outlook, citing a stronger budgetary position. It was the … Continued

Ackman closes his short bet

By root

Prominent hedge fund manager Bill Ackman covered his short bet on US Treasuries, noting “there is too much risk in the world to remain short bonds at current long- term rates.”. “The economy is slowing faster than recent data suggests …”. This comes after his hedge fund Pershing Square had disclosed in early August shorting … Continued

Treasuries meet China

By root

One reason why long-term treasury yields have been increasing and bond investors are suffering has nothing to do with the Fed and the view on inflation. There are structural sellers of long-term Treasuries around: China for example has decreased its holdings substantially over the last decade. Reasons are multiple and complex, from de-dollarization, economic to … Continued

The case for gold revisited

By root

Crescat Capital published the below graph summarizing the current bull case for gold and explaining why we could be currently at the beginning of the third gold cycle since the 70s. While we do not like the fact that gold does not produce any cash flows and remuneration for its owners, we admit that the … Continued

Slowdown in PE

By root

The private equity world has started to see a slowdown. According to the yearly private equity study from Bain Capital, global investments, exits and fund raising  declined significantly in 2022. They stay nevertheless at very respectable levels compared to the last decade. We would not be surprised to see a further slowdown of activity in … Continued

Get real

By root

The inflation-adjusted 10-year US government bond yield is nearing 2.4%, its 20-year top. These 2.4% carry no equity risk, no risk to be eaten up by inflation and no corporate default risk. If you believe that the US Treasury will be able to honour its debt, this appears a juicy real return. Time to buy … Continued