In the labyrinth of financial intricacies, a storm is brewing, and the indicators are nothing short of alarming. The Price to Innovation ratios, often considered a barometer of economic health, have reached unprecedented heights, sending shockwaves through the financial landscape. The situation appears dire, with ominous signs that something is on the verge of breaking.
Let’s delve into the intricate web of financial maneuvers that has led us to this precipice. Cross River Bank, in a daring move, has been extending loans for the Buy Now Pay Later trend, luring consumers with the promise of instant gratification for a fee. However, the plot thickens as these loans are promptly bought up by firms, bundled together, and sold in what can only be described as a financial juggling act.
Adding fuel to the fire, ratings agencies have astonishingly assigned an 82% AAA rating to these bundled loans, despite the average credit score languishing at 560. With no reporting on credit and no collateral, the disparity between the perceived safety of these loans and the actual risk is staggering.
The Federal Reserve’s emergency Buy the Flipping Plunge (BTFP) has surged to a staggering $167.8 billion, marking a $6.2 billion increase from the previous week. As if that weren’t enough, hedge fund gross leverage is pushing the boundaries, approaching a precarious 270%, according to insights from Goldman Sachs. This level of leverage is reminiscent of a financial tightrope walk, with the potential for a devastating fall if missteps occur.
Amid this financial tightrope act, layoffs are making headlines across various industries. Tech giants like Alphabet, eBay, and Amazon are streamlining operations, citing the need for increased efficiency. The layoffs are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader trend, adding a layer of uncertainty to an already precarious economic environment.
Deutsche Bank, not one to mince words, issues a stark warning: stocks are poised for a 10% drop. This ominous prediction aligns with a remarkable performance divergence between micro-caps and large caps. Micro-caps have already plummeted by a staggering 47% from their peak, while large caps continue their ascent to new highs.
The narrowing market leadership, often an ominous precursor, hints at the potential peak of the business cycle. The chart, resembling a rollercoaster ride of valuations, raises concerns about being invested in the seemingly inflated white line. As the economic landscape teeters on the edge, investors face a critical juncture in making decisions that could shape their financial future.
In this era of financial unpredictability, the call for vigilance is louder than ever. The Price to Innovation ratios, the Federal Reserve’s maneuvers, and the stock market’s precarious dance all converge to paint a picture of economic turbulence.
Sources:
Price to Innovation ratios and beyond!
🫡 https://t.co/azqFwBhjv9 pic.twitter.com/ImMipBGwSt
— Golden Coast (Cassandra) (@GregCrennan) January 25, 2024
This is fucking WILD
1. Cross River Bank loans to Buy Now Pay Later for a fee
2. A firm buys the loan immediately and packages them up
3. Ratings agencies rate them 82% AAA (average credit score is 560, not reporting on credit, no collateral)https://t.co/md6UT6RIXl— Darth Powell 🦈🇺🇲🇺🇦🇵🇱🇫🇮 (@GRomePow) January 25, 2024
BREAKING: The Fed's emergency BTFP rose to $167.8 billion, up $6.2 billion from last week https://t.co/wqdVm4xolp
— Financelot (@FinanceLancelot) January 25, 2024
Hedge fund gross leverage is hitting new highs now, approaching 270%, per Goldman Sachs 👀 pic.twitter.com/jB3fhMSDWx
— Markets & Mayhem (@Mayhem4Markets) January 25, 2024
Here are today’s layoffs. Still very high. Business Insider is laying off 8% of employees as Bill Ackman ruthlessly continues to attack them. I didn’t include Business Insider’s numbers in my layoff count, but there was still a lot today. pic.twitter.com/SEKq0iCgre
— Warn Tracker 2.0 (@j77324) January 26, 2024
The layoffs follow similar moves across the tech industry including at companies such as Alphabet, eBay and Amazon as they look to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Read more: https://t.co/uXNLkI7KzL
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) January 26, 2024
There has been a remarkable performance difference within the realm of the so-called growth stocks.
Micro-caps have already fallen by 47% from their peak, while large caps continue to reach new highs.
Despite seeming ordinary, a narrowing market leadership often indicates… pic.twitter.com/mGUrKLE7wS— Otavio (Tavi) Costa (@TaviCosta) January 26, 2024
Stocks are headed for a 10% drop warns Deutsche Bank pic.twitter.com/sToe6i1yYE
— Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) January 25, 2024