Commodities

Political Overreaction to the Drought...Grain Markets Reveal Improved Crop Expectations...Japanese Stock Market Update...DeBeers and South Africa

• Read more

Today, led by soybeans and other grains, the U.S. is getting a dose of Isolated Factor Inflation. The Fed can’t do anything to alleviate this, but Mother Nature can. Good hard rains in the farm belt could take the sizzle out of this brand of inflation.

• Read more

Much has been made about the CRB Index making a new high on November 27. We are very skeptical. Comparisons herein will demonstrate the warping in this index. I think we are now getting an inflation false alarm, but at this point the signals are mixed.

• Read more

The tool has functioned as a good lead indicator of changes in inflation momentum. When the reading is moving up it is an inflation acceleration alert and a move above 70% is usually cause for a general alarm. On the other hand, readings below 50% are a comfort zone.

• Read more

Bonds moved higher in August but did not make new highs. However, it is only a matter of time. Most of our inflation work is still cool, but this month we present one of our tools that is mildly disturbing. The commodity spot price diffusion index seems to be on the rise, although not yet in negative territory.

• Read more

At this point there is no indication inflation may be about to accelerate. Some may recall that in the early spring of 1984, this work led us to conclude that 1984 inflation might be a lot lower than most then thought at the time. This section also includes comments on the possibilities of deflation and what might be expected if it does occur. It probably would not be the disaster some seem to think.

• Read more

Our weekly work comparing prices of 94 commodities with levels 12 months previous seems to function quite well as a stock market timing device and is also helpful at times with the bond market. At the end of July, it registered a “buy signal” for both. Take a look at this section and see how this has worked out 1973 to date.

• Read more

The one-year diffusion index of 90 commodities is indicating a resurgence of inflation may be right around the corner. We think it is wrong. Our other tools don’t confirm. However, the past record of this tool cannot be ignored.

• Read more