Gold

Investors are being forced into riskier asset classes by the TINA effect, but the gaping macro disequilibria makes it difficult for investors to see how we move back to equilibrium in a benign way. Monetary policy on its own is limited in its ability to soften the adjustment, but the good news is that the political pendulum is swinging toward fiscal stimulus.

The lack of inflation makes a Fed rate hike before December unlikely. In the interim, the continued flow of liquidity could sustain the high-risk rally.

With the Fed more sensitive to how its policy affects the global economy, and <i>vice versa</i>, we believe monetary policy will remain accommodative to encourage U.S. and EM growth.

We are recommending profit taking in gold shares after a dramatic surge since our overweight call earlier this year. The long-term outlook for gold remains appealing, given the need for low or even negative real interest rates for a prolonged period in order to restore global growth to trend or above-trend levels. Nevertheless, on an intermediate-term basis, we are concerned that a rise in the U.S. dollar could cap the upside in bullion and related-share prices. Evidence of speculative zeal is mounting. ETF gold holdings have skyrocketed since late-2015, reflecting massive inflows into related funds. Net speculative positions have surged as a percent of open interest (third panel), underscoring that momentum and performance-chasing have turbo-charged the yellow metal's advance. Sentiment toward gold has also spiked. Importantly, relative stock price performance has become extremely overbought. The 52-week rate of change has soared to its highest level in decades. While that upsurge partially reflects a lasting cyclical and structural trend change, an intermediate-term digestion phase is inevitable to relieve overbought conditions in the coming months, with a stronger currency the most likely catalyst. Take profits of 45% and downshift to neutral. bca.uses_in_2016_08_02_002_c1 bca.uses_in_2016_08_02_002_c1

It is dangerous to equate recent equity strength with economic vitality, as history shows that liquidity-fueled equity advances favor non-cyclicals over deep cyclicals. Take profits in gold, buy rails and sell industrial machinery.

A collection of 10 important charts to monitor closely through the summer months.

Forecast is diverging from strategy for equities. Intermediate-term positives allow for a blowoff to the upside. But we do not expect the rally to have staying power over a 6-12 month horizon.

Commodity speculation provides liquidity to hedgers, allows price discovery, and offers access to an asset class that typically produces returns that are not correlated with stock or bond returns.

The blowout June nonfarm payrolls report reflects a tightening labor market, consistent with stronger ISM manufacturing and non-manufacturing readings. This will take time to impact Fed policy.

Our strategic and tactical trades were up an average 24.6% in 2016Q2, led by strategic energy recommendations. Going forward, we continue to favor energy exposure over base and precious metals, ags and softs.