11:40 am - Waiter, There's a Flaw in my Model : The maestro conducted an encore symphony on the Hill, which unfortunately hit more than a few notes off-key. Greenspan's mea culpa on his flawed "free market" model was softened by his admission that the outcome has caught even him by surprise. Nevertheless he says he should'a regulated more. He sees more job losses and weak growth ahead. (Bloomberg)
11:23 am - Mocked Disbelief: Trade slides as supply is put out, with levels inline with previous auctions, albeit in the shadow of the occasional shorter term "drive-by" (or "snap") auctions that have been tossed into the mix over the past 2 weeks. The market got added pressure as the announcement on the auctions hit. The $34B 2-yrs on par with recent record amounts, and the $24B 5-yr, on par with the record largest offering in early 03 accompanied by a reopened $6B 5-yr TIPS as well as standard issue $25B 3-mos and a smaller $25B 6-mo. Former Fed-head Greenspan has done his stint in the witness chair, and his "shocked disbelief" over the current credit situation, seems laughable to many. (Bloomberg)
11:08 am - Note & Bill Announcement : Treasury will sell $6B re-opened 5-yr TIPS, $25B each of 3- & 6-month bills (Mon), $34B of 2-yr notes (Tues) & $24B 5-yrs (Thurs),
10:54 am - Sinking : Trade has been slumping as the market looks to book some profits as equities revive a bit and outside of supply issues the calendar is empty. The market continues to trade in wafer thin conditions, so swings will tend wide. BNP's Patrick Jacq tells Bloomberg, "Market activity isn't recovering strongly, or even significantly, and it won't as long as banks can get all they want from the central bank... While it's a good sign that rates have been coming down, they are doing so because central banks are playing the role of the interbank market and allotting as much liquidity as is demanded." Well said, Jacq.
10:30 am - Faded at Highs : The continuous 10-yr futures contract got snagged on its longer term moving averages converging near 115-20. Prices have moved into the middle of their trading range that began in Dec and topped out in Apr (as defined between 111 and 120). Trade awaits longer-term direction as it has through much of the year. A close above 115-20 should focus attention back on the topside.
10:13 am - Slip n Slide : Treasuries continue to offer a mixed bag as the expectations for upcoming supply skew to the shorter durations. The market is looking into the abyss, with no data or other scheduled items on tap. Announcements of the 2-and-5-yr auction details are due, but there should be few surprises there. The slide in prices now is being accompanied by a blip better in size, but, as has been the case, those "blips" tend to remain just that and see little follow through.
09:46 am - Cash from System : Fed drains $25B via overnight reverse repos.
09:28 am - Buck Takes a Breather : The dollar continues to carve out a tight range on the euro and yen. Gyrations have been driven by global equities and headlines on emerging markets being led into the abyss by capital outflows and collapsing currencies. The equity open is awaited and could provide the necessary catalyst for chop outside of ranges. The
euro is wedged between 1.2725 and 1.2820. A break eyes 1.2580 and 1.25 while above sees resistance near 1.2880 and 1.2930. Against the yen, the dollar is snagged between 96.80 and 98.30. The pound broke down further this am with 1.6040 propping for now. Resistance sits at 1.6170 with trade eyeing a bigger drop to near 1.56. Spot gold is getting crushed again at 707.82 (-22.63) while crude is trying to rally at 67.88 (+1.13).
09:28 am - Buck Takes a Breather : The dollar continues to carve out a tight range on the euro and yen. Gyrations have been driven by global equities and headlines on emerging markets being led into the abyss by capital outflows and collapsing currencies. The equity open is awaited and could provide the necessary catalyst for chop outside of ranges. The
euro is wedged between 1.2725 and 1.2820. A break eyes 1.2580 and 1.25 while above sees resistance near 1.2880 and 1.2930. Against the yen, the dollar is snagged between 96.80 and 98.30. The pound broke down further this am with 1.6040 propping for now. Resistance sits at 1.6170 with trade eyeing a bigger drop to near 1.56. Spot gold is getting crushed again at 707.82 (-22.63) while crude is trying to rally at 67.88 (+1.13).
09:04 am - Slipping : The market has been slumping off the best levels awaiting the opening in stocks, while the curve has driven steeply flatter. The 2-10-yr yield spread is running at 204.4.
08:45 am - Claims : The jobless number hit harder than expected with the 478K coming in against consensus 465K with an upside revision to 463K from 461K. Continued claims came in, sort of, to 3720K from an upwardly revised 3726K (previously reported at 3711K). The market held on to the bid, but as has been the case, volume is sketchy at best.
08:24 am - Grabbing More Ground : The market is reaching higher with global equities selling off and the flight-to-quality still fueling flows. Foreclosures were up 21% (Sep yoy) according to RealtyTrac, a line-up is forming at the doorstep of the IMF, earnings are weak and Libor rates have quit improving. The market is taking all this in stride with its eye on Oct price highs (10-yr yield near 3.40%) but volume will likely need to pick up to get there. The
2-10-yr yield spread is near unchanged at 209 while the 3-mo-10-yr is flatter at 265