"I think Last has it memorized."
No...that's the Russell 3000
I read a report today about several of the major funds who monitor SI, YAHOO and other threads for three reasons:
1. To be contrarian and do theopposite of whatever is posted enough times
2. For humor
3. And to determine how to utilize momentum from et5raders to their advantage.
One of the funds even irculated a white paper titled, "How to use stupidity" - its about how to utilize the heavily traded forums etraders gullibility and etc. to their advantage.
I am tempted to note who that fund was since its performance last year was dismal. But, since you can read it in Money Magazine (I think) I won't bother.
Futures look horrid for tomorrow already - gear up for shorts, as I don't expect a bounce of much consequence - the DLJ report and the See below for the review:
New York, June 8 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. bonds fell, briefly boosting yields above 6 percent for the first time since May 1998, after comments by two Federal Reserve officials fanned speculation that the central bank will boost interest rates soon.
William Poole, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, said he ''would share the view'' that the odds have changed in the direction of higher inflation. Poole spoke in Massachusetts at a Boston Federal Reserve conference.
In Amelia Island, Florida, Richmond Fed President Alfred Broaddus said a report last month showing a jump in consumer prices in April was ''the most troubling'' in some time. ''It's clear the Fed is concerned,'' said Edgar Peters, who oversees $16 billion at PanAgora Asset Management Inc. in Boston. ''We probably will see a hike'' when Fed officials meet June 29- 30.
The 30-year bond fell 10/32, or $3.13 per $1,000 security, to 89 25/32. Its yield rose 2 basis points to 5.99 percent at the day's end. Yields on two-year notes, the most actively traded Treasuries was unchanged at 5.55 percent.
Yields on 30-year Treasuries have risen more than 85 basis points this year as investors fretted that eight years of sustained economic growth will boost inflation and prompt a Fed rate increase.
Tough Time Rallying ''We're going to have a tough time rallying without seeing a slowdown in the economy that puts the Fed back into a neutral position,'' said Mark MacQueen, who helps manage $425 million at Sage Advisory Services Ltd. in Austin, Texas. The Fed warned last month that it is prepared to boost rates to control inflation.
The 30-year Treasury also slipped back as the dollar declined against the yen and euro, said William Kirby, co-head of government bonds at Prudential Securities Inc. The U.S. currency dropped more than 1 percent against both currencies and touched a six-week low against the yen.
A weaker dollar sours overseas investors on U.S. securities because it can bring a loss when proceeds are converted into home currencies.
A planned $5 billion debt sale by Freddie Mac, the No. 2 U.S. mortgage financier, also drew demand away from Treasuries, some analyst said.
About $38.9 billion of Treasury bills, notes and bonds traded through most of the major brokers by 3 p.m. New York time, almost 41 percent less than the average for a Tuesday in the second quarter of 1998, according to GovPX Inc., a bond pricing service.
Inflation Figures
Investors get more information on inflation this week when the government reports its May producer price index on Friday. The May consumer price index, the nation's most-watched inflation gauge, will be released June 16. ''Everyone's holding off until Friday,'' Prudential's Kirby said.
Money managers are investing based on their forecasts for the Fed. Sage's MacQueen, who expects a rate increase, is buying triple-A-rated asset-backed securities, those backed by payments on credit cards and auto loans. Those securities offer yields of 50 to 90 basis points more than Treasuries, a cushion in case the Fed boosts rates and bond prices fall, he said.
Eric Peterson, who helps manage $550 million at Talon Asset Management in Chicago, says an increase is far from a sure thing.
He sees value in Treasuries. ''Yields warrant a revisiting'' by buyers, he said. He sees 30-year rates falling as much as 45 basis points by the end of the year, and he's buying seven-year notes.
Corporate Bonds
Meantime, Freddie Mac and Williams Communications Group Inc. are expected to lead a handful of billion-dollar sales in coming days.
Freddie Mac, a frequent borrower, plans to sell $5 billion of triple-A rated reference notes, divided between $3 billion of two-year notes and an additional $2 billion of 5 3/4 percent 10- year notes.
Williams Communications, a unit of Williams Cos. -- the largest U.S. natural gas transporter -- prepared to issue $1.3 billion of 10-year senior notes in the junk-rated bond market.
Marsh & McLennan Cos., the world's largest insurance broker, plans to sell $1 billion of notes.
Diageo Plc, the world's largest maker of alcoholic beverages, plans to issue $1 billion of five-year notes. lastshadow |