Sell American. I Am.

It's hard to believe that Warren Buffett's "Buy American" op-ed was more than seven months ago. How time flies!!

Macro Man wonders, however, if some foreign (Chinese, perhaps?) Buffett equivalent hasn't written a contra piece, entitled "Sell American. I am." For how else to explain yesterday's price action, in which the dollar, US equities, and US fixed income all received a good thrashing?

Well, one way to explain it would actually be noise; after all, yesterday barely registers on the scale of the chart above. Moreover, in thin holiday traffic (Europe on hols yesterday; the US and UK, on Monday), it doesn't take much to push things.


Still, markets are never afraid to let the facts get in the way of a good story, so it's worth keeping an eye on the "Sell American" theme...possibly coming to a Bloomberg screen near you!
Previous
Next Post »

11 comments

Click here for comments
Anonymous
admin
May 22, 2009 at 9:24 AM ×

Any ideas what to use for shorting gilts. Is there an ETF out there?

On another note... enjoyed the Holmes posts keep them coming.

Thanks

Reply
avatar
Macro Man
admin
May 22, 2009 at 9:33 AM ×

Gilt futures on LIFFE is what I would use as a generic. As for Holmes, I'm sure he'll reappear at some point!!!!

Reply
avatar
Arun
admin
May 22, 2009 at 11:33 AM ×

there is still so much cash lying around that hasn't been put to work.. there is some merit in the thinking that had HY (US and to a lesser extent EU) not outperformed equities in this rally, the pain trade (to the upside now) would've been felt more strongly.. only begs the question.. if going forward (new issues coming in soon) HY spreads widen again, i wonder how it will affect asset allocation decisions... more money could pour into equities (unjustifably so)

Reply
avatar
Professional Gringo
admin
May 22, 2009 at 12:00 PM ×

Noise? Noise you say? The credit rating of an actual country is downgraded and their currency rallies 400 pips?

It's madness and now I must choke upon the bitter vetch of my shame forever, then? To be treated worse than any mongrel dog? No, sir! And again I say no, sir! Not as a free man born, not while I yet draw breath! Pistols at dawn, I say!

Or maybe I should just put Obama stickers on all the cars at the local GM dealership. Is that vandalism?

Reply
avatar
Kris
admin
May 22, 2009 at 2:13 PM ×

LOL..a nice one on Warren Buffet

Reply
avatar
Mug Punter
admin
May 22, 2009 at 4:01 PM ×

Arun - when you say there is "so much cash lying around that hasn't been put to work" where exactly is it sitting? If its in any sort of deposit or money market fund then its already invested in very short term debt securities... as those expire and are not rolled over (i.e the cash is withdrawn) more long term debt has to be issued to replace them... which means there is consequence to the portfolio reallocation - increased supply of debt issuance and higher rates.

Reply
avatar
fodacadillac
admin
May 22, 2009 at 7:49 PM ×

The EUR/USD move higher has decoupled from the relationship between Eurozone/US credit default swap spread.

If the US note auctions next week prove less ominous than some anticipate, there could be a nasty snap back in EUR/USD from what appear to be over-bought levels.

Reply
avatar
May 23, 2009 at 9:13 AM ×

On the back of the dollar bashing, If I where a gambler I would bet the kiwi is due to gain a cent or even 8ight to .7
That macro enough?

Reply
avatar
Professional Gringo
admin
May 23, 2009 at 1:02 PM ×

MM - we need some hula girls on your website.

And maybe have a "talk like Joe Biden Friday."

And maybe a section about water boarding the Euro into capitulation.

Just some random thoughts. Hope it helps.

Reply
avatar
Kid
admin
May 23, 2009 at 6:46 PM ×

Dumb. USD will be the last currency to collapse. It will be the world's safe haven for the next 10 years. Scared money moves to the center -- you know that. Dumb dumb dumb.

Reply
avatar
Anonymous
admin
May 24, 2009 at 3:45 PM ×

Hi Macro Man,
would like to pick your brain on a deleveraging theme where a stronger Dollar + steepening yield curve are the incredients for the next leg down. The dollar is so oversold that it has a fair chance of a bounce.....


http://reflections-of-reality.blogspot.com/2009/05/dollar-deleveraging.html

Reply
avatar