The current summer rally is appearing like it may not end just yet. On Monday's "Halftime Report" I had another opportunity to discuss the latest VIX analysis. As I state on the show, last Friday, we saw a big bullish play on the August 1000 calls on the S&P. With the VIX remaining elevated, we are seeing investors continue to buy options as means of protection against a downside move, limiting their downside risk. What this all means is that we should see some steady gains until the 1050 mark. In other topics on the show, I remained strong in my Ford play as I see some upside potential in the stock.
One of the questions I get most from clients is how to generate yield when the Fed is on hold with rates at zero. For a while many defensive clients were content receiving their 3% annual yield from Treasury bonds, but the Fed’s most recent meeting minutes shows that the Fed’s pace of bond buying may soon slow. While I do not think tapering is likely before year end (unless economic data accelerates significantly) the bond market is forward looking and already beginning to price tapering in. Smaller Fed purchases of Treasury bonds will mean that bond yields go up and bond prices go down. Bonds have been in a multi-year bull market, and we may now be on the cusp of a multi-year bear market. The most important indicator to watch is the 10-year yield, which cracked the 2.10% level this week for the first time in a year. If we continue to hold above 2.05% in June, the top is likely in for bonds and borrowing rates will be on the rise for everyone, including the US Treasury. So, how am ...
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