1. Inflation interpretation…
When we look across the developed markets, the US has now become an outlier as its inflation has bounced higher, as can be seen in the first chart below. And it is the sticky services inflation that is causing central banks the most stress, shown in the second chart.
Source: Macrobond, Antipodean Macro (April 2024)
Source: Macrobond, Antipodean Macro (April 2024)
2. The United States of charts…
In the US right now:
- Office vacancies are at their highest on record,
- Restaurant sales and traffic over the last 2 months are at their weakest since they were closed (!) during Covid, and the GFC before that, and
- The average household carries 26% more credit card debt today compared to the 10-year average amount. Average household credit card debt is around $9,880, versus a longer term average of $7,816.
Source: Moody’s (April 2024)
Source: Craigs, National Restaurant Association (April 2024)
Source: Federal Reserve Board, BofA Global Research (April 2024)
3. Song selection…
Coachella begins in Palms Springs this weekend, kicking off the 23rd running of the music and arts festival. And it is interesting to note that despite the shift to streaming from buying physical CDs and records, global recorded music industry revenues have never been higher.
Source: IFPI (April 2024)