The Fed to intervene in a collapse scenario, what it means for the stock market & recession calls – Alex Krüger

Those calling for a recession and a market collapse are wrong because the Federal Reserve wants to intervene before that happens, according to Alex Krüger, Economist and Partner at Asgard Markets.

The 'Fed put' is back, Krüger told Michelle Makori, Lead Anchor and Editor-in-Chief at Kitco News. The term ‘Fed put,’ a play on the option term ‘put,’ is the market belief that the Fed would step in and implement policies to limit the stock market's decline beyond a certain level.

"The 'Fed put' was removed from the market in early 2022 when they made it clear that their focus is now on inflation, sending stocks crashing," Krüger said. "Things changed in December when the Fed stated that the risks are balanced to both the upside and downside, and they are focused on jobs just as much as they are on interest rates."

That means that the Fed will intervene if things start to collapse. This was already seen in 2023 during the failures of regional banks, including Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank.

In response to the banking crisis, the Fed quickly introduced the Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) in March 2023, an emergency lending program that allows banks to take on loans of up to one year to boost liquidity.

During last year's banking crisis, there was one surprising asset winner. For insights, watch the video above. The same asset can again benefit if the Fed intervenes to prop up the economy.

Because of the 'Fed put,' the most likely outcome is a soft landing, Krüger pointed out, advising to ignore the noise and focus on the bigger picture when trading.

"A very large percentage of market participants are focused on how expensive things are, how AI is a bubble, how the yield curve inversion has to lead to a major recession and a major crash. My response is that it's noise. And the bigger picture is that we should be focusing on interest rates going down, inflation going down, and liquidity going up," he said.

For insights on how much more upside there is in the stock market, watch the video above.

However, there are several scenarios that could derail this outlook. "First of all, black swans … armed conflict in the Korean peninsula or China-Taiwan, or conflict escalating between Russia and Ukraine," Krüger said.

Another scenario that could derail the soft landing outlook is an acceleration in inflation. "The outlook should change because the Fed's outlook will change if it happens," he noted.

Take on crypto: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Worldcoin

In the crypto space, Krüger pays close attention to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. To get his top crypto picks for 2024, watch the video above.

The new spot Bitcoin ETFs are attracting new types of investors, pushing prices towards new all-time highs.

BlackRock's spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund IBIT alone saw $1.357 billion in trading volume Tuesday, breaking Monday's record of $1.3 billion, according to Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst Eric Balchunas.

Krüger views the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs as a way towards mainstream adoption that will eventually include central banks holding Bitcoin alongside gold as a reserve asset.

"At the moment, Bitcoin is an extremely volatile asset that doesn't belong in the reserves of a central bank, but eventually, that volatility will disappear," he said. "We will see new market participants in the Bitcoin options market. Eventually, central banks will adopt Bitcoin as a reserve asset."

 

To get insights on how that would impact Bitcoin prices and which central banks will likely push the needle the most, watch the video above.

 

The next big driver for crypto investors is a potential approval of a spot Ethereum ETF. On timing and chances of that happening this year, watch the video above.

 

To get Krüger updated price forecasts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Worldcoin, and his other top crypto picks, watch the video above.

Kitco Media

Anna Golubova

Anna Golubova is the Producer for Kitco News. With more than ten years of experience in media, she has covered a range of topics, focusing on economy and politics. Anna began to exclusively cover economic news in 2013, attending media lockups at the Bank of Canada and Statistics Canada to report on a range of key macro economic events, including interest rate announcements, GDP, unemployment, and retail. She holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from NPSIA, Carleton and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History from the University of Ottawa.

Kitco Media

Michelle Makori

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Gold, silver slightly down as next U.S. inflation data point awaited

Gold and silver prices are modestly down near midday Wednesday. A firmer U.S. dollar index today is a negative “outside market” force working against the precious metals market bulls. Also, the near-term technical postures for gold and silver are still leaning bearish, which is inviting some of the chart-based traders to the sell sides. April gold was last down $3.10 at $2,041.00. March silver was last down $0.182 at $22.35.

U.S. stock index futures are weaker near midday. Bitcoin prices have soared this week and are presently trading above $61,000. Barron’s today reported bitcoin’s rise is due to better risk appetite in the marketplace, the big rally in the technology heavy Nasdaq stock index, and notions the Federal Reserve will lower U.S. interest rates later this year.

Today’s revision of fourth-quarter 2023 U.S. gross domestic product readings showed GDP up 3.2%, year-on-year, versus the initial reading of up 3.3%. The 4Q personal consumption expenditures) PCE price index was up 1.8%, year-on-year, versus up 1.7% in the advance report. The core PCE price index was up 2.1% in 4Q, compared to the advance reading of up 2.0%. Today’s GDP data was not a big markets-mover, as the numbers did not stray far from market expectations.

The bigger U.S. data point of the week is likely going to be Thursday morning’s personal income and outlays report for January, which also includes the PCE inflation indexes. The PCE price index in January is seen up 2.6%, year-on-year, while the core PCE price index is seen up 2.9% in the same period. Those forecasts are just slightly higher than the readings seen in the December report. It’s been said the Federal Reserve officials pay extra close attention to the inflation data in the personal income and outlays report.

Recent U.S. inflation numbers have come in a bit warmer than expected. Not hot, but still warm enough to likely have swayed the Federal Reserve into reckoning it will wait until the second half of 2024 to consider lowering interest rates.

The market to watch Thursday morning following the personal income and outlays report will be the U.S. Treasury futures markets. Immediately after the data is released at 8:30 a.m. EST, the Treasury bond and note futures markets’ price action will indicate what the marketplace thinks about the latest U.S. inflation data. Remember that Treasury futures prices move in the opposite direction of the more closely followed yields. U.S. T-Bond and T-Note prices have been trending down the past four weeks. That suggests Treasury traders suspect U.S. inflation data will continue to come in too warm to allow the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates this spring. So watch the U.S. Treasury bond and note futures markets

Wednesday morning. You can bet other market traders will have one eye on the bond markets right after the report. Remember the old market adage: “Bond traders are the smartest guys in the room.”

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index higher. Nymex crude oil prices are near steady and trading around $79.00 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note is presently fetching around 4.28%.

Technically, April gold futures bears have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a three-month-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at the February high of $2,083.20. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $2,000.00. First resistance is seen at last week’s high of $2,053.20 and then at $2,061.00. First support is seen at today’s low of $2,033.40 and then at $2,025.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.5.

March silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at the February high of $23.56. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the February low of $21.975. First resistance is seen at Tuesday’s high of $22.71 and then at $23.00. Next support is seen at today’s low of $22.245 and then at $22.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.0.

March N.Y. copper closed down 155 points at 381.25 cents today. Prices closed nearer the session low today. The copper bulls have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at the January high of 394.70 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at the February low of 365.50 cents. First resistance is seen at this week’s high of 387.15 cents and then at last week’s high of 390.85 cents. First support is seen at 380.00 cents and then at 375.00 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.0.

Kitco Media

Jim Wyckoff

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Growing alarm over U.S. debt: Why the Fed is 'Dr. Frankenstein's monster' that is part of the problem – Charles Payne

(Kitco News) – With the U.S. national debt surging above $34 trillion, many prominent investors and financial leaders are raising alarm over a looming crisis. Even Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has weighed in expressing concern that U.S. debt is unsustainable. However, the U.S. central bank is a major part of the problem, according to Charles Payne, Host of Making Money on FOX Business Network and the author of ‘Unbreakable Investor.’

 

Powell issued his own candid warning on U.S. debt during CBS’s ’60 Minutes,’ criticizing lawmakers for effectively borrowing from future generations with their unsustainable fiscal policies and stating that it was time for “an adult conversation.”

“In the long run, the U.S. is on an unsustainable fiscal path,” Powell said on Sunday. “And that just means that the debt is growing faster than the economy … We're effectively borrowing from future generations … It’s time for us to get back to putting a priority on fiscal sustainability. And sooner's better than later.”

While weighing in on the U.S. fiscal policy might be controversial for Powell, the Fed is a big part of the problem when it comes to debt, Payne told Michelle Makori, Lead Anchor and Editor-in-Chief at Kitco News.

“It's a nice sound bite,” Payne said. “But the function of the federal reserve itself belies what he was saying. They've always been the biggest buyers of U.S. Treasuries, which facilitate this crazy nonstop spending on both sides of the political aisle. That's why he had free reign to speak about it. It wasn't like he was pointing fingers at anyone in particular.”

The important thing to understand is how the Fed plays a central role in all this, Payne added. “We're here at the precipice of this situation where [Powell] rightfully acknowledges that there's a problem, but to be quite frank, I don't see the Federal Reserve doing anything about it,” he said. “They play a role in all of this. They're not backing away from this role.”

On top of that, the Fed receives more power and responsibility almost every year. “I think the Federal Reserve is already far too powerful an entity, not truly responsible to anyone, not truly answering to anyone. It's part of the problem. He's pointed out a major problem. Unfortunately, he didn't underscore his part of the problem,” Payne explained.

Payne highlighted that the Fed has become the most powerful entity in the world in its ability to move domestic and even global economies. For more on Payne's insights on the Fed's role outlined in his latest book 'Unbreakable Investor,' watch the video above for details.

"The Federal Reserve is responsible for far too much. And who do they answer to? Realistically, who gets to fire Jerome Powell tomorrow? No one. I'm concerned that we've created this all-powerful entity, almost like Dr. Frankenstein's monster, and within that entity, people would be shocked to learn how left-leaning it is right now,” Payne said.

An organization that is supposed to be nonpartisan has become very political, and there are serious consequences that could come from that. “Overwhelmingly, they’re very liberal, left-leaningDemocrats. These are the folks that will take control of the most powerful entity out there," Payne said. “And I do believe it will be more politicized."

Payne also weighed in on whether he foresees a scenario with no U.S. central bank or one with diminished powers. For insights, watch the video above.

The U.S. ‘fumbled’ its reserve currency status: Accelerating de-dollarization and unsustainable debt levels

Quickly rising U.S. debt levels are becoming one of the top concerns among individuals like JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who says the U.S. economy is heading toward a financial crisis due to escalating national debt.

Speaking at the Bipartisan Policy Center, Dimon cautioned of a looming "hockey stick" surge in debt, adding that if U.S. lawmakers don’t alter the current path of spending, there could be “rebellion” among foreign owners of U.S. government bonds. "It is a cliff, we see the cliff. It's about ten years out, we're going 60 miles an hour [toward it],” Dimon said.

Also, Tudor Investment founder Paul Tudor Jones warned that even though it may look like the U.S. economy is firing on all cylinders, there is a “debt bomb” under the surface. “We’ve got a 6% to 7% budget deficit. We’re fast-pouring consumption like crazy,” Jones told CNBC. “The only question is … when does that manifest itself in markets? It could be this year, it could be next year. Productivity may mask, and it might be three or four years from now. But clearly, we’re on an unsustainable path.”

This concern around debt could have serious consequences when it comes to the dollar as the global reserve currency, according to Payne. "There's no doubt that the dollarization trend is picking up. We have fumbled this gift, this responsibility of being the world's reserve currency. The only problem is there's no one else out there to take advantage of it right now, but that's not always going to be the case," he said.

Payne added that it was important to pay attention to big oil-producing countries, like Saudi Arabia, accepting payments for oil in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

To get Payne’s timeline for when the U.S. dollar could permanently lose its reserve currency status and what can replace it, watch the video above.

What does it all mean for the stock market in 2024?

Payne also outlined what this macro environment means for the U.S. stock market this year.

For Payne’s precise stock picks and investment insights, watch the video above.

 

Kitco Media

Anna Golubova

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley