Business

Coming at the same time as an inflationary report which showed Core CPI rising at 2.30%, or the highest rate since October 2008, and one which will put further pressure on the Fed to hike rates as shelter inflation is now simply too big to sweep under the rug, we also got February's housing starts and permits, which while painting a mixed picture of the US housing market suggested further strength in the US housing sector in the past month.

Following last month's inflation 'jolt' to the marketplace, Core CPI increased 2.3% YoY in Feb - the biggest jump since October 2008 (led by the biggest monthly surge in apparel prices since 2009). Bond & Stock markets are dropping in the news as it corners The Fed further into a hawkish stance, despite the recessionary warning signals screaming from the manufacturing (and increasingly Services) sector.

The Core CPI print has not been higher since October 2008...

CPI Breakdown...

Back in January, Deutsche Bank reported what were variously described as “horrible,” “grim” results.

The net loss for 2015 came in at roughly $7 billion, the first annual loss since the crisis. The abysmal year was capped off by €2.1 billion of red ink in Q4 of which some €1.2 billion was attributable to litigation.

The CEO of the bank that almost bankrupted Ireland has been granted bail under strict conditions including the surrender of his passport and having to report to police twice a day. David Drumm, former chief executive of the Irish Anglo Bank was extradited from the U.S. and brought before Dublin District Court to face charges stemming from the bank’s role in the 2008 financial crisis. Activist Post reports: Drumm faces 33 charges in Ireland, which echoes Iceland’s unprecedented move to hold its bankers criminally accountable for their role in that country’s economic meltdown.

One of the more impressive short squeezes in recent history took place in the first two weeks of March, when the stock of distressed Peabody Energy, the largest U.S. coal producer which employs 8,300 workers, exploded higher from just $2.50 per share at the start of the month to a whopping $6.50 just last week.

Many scratched their heads at this move as nothing fundamental had changed in the company's deteriorating operations, and its bonds are among the most distressed issues trading currently (with upcoming interest payments as we profiled last night).