We have been following the slow at first, and now very fast-moving disaster that is Bed Bath And Beyond with close interest for years, at first with detached amusement (Bed, Bath & Beyond Buybacks Authorizes Another $2 Billion In Stock Repuchases) and increasingly with amazement, as the company launched an unprecedented stock buyback spree to mask the relentless deterioration in its underlying business.
Two months ago, when looking at the latest basis spreads, we showed that a disturbing development, first flagged here in March, was getting worse: namely the "Global Dollar Shortage Intensifies To Worst Level Since 2012."
When the word 'bloodbath' just doesn't quite sum it up, distressed debt investors's bonuses have been obliterated in 2015. Despite seeking safety away from oil and coal companies, one trader exclaimed, the pain is "like cancer, it's spreading throughout the body," as every industry from materials to retail and industrials has collapsed... though, as Bloomberg reports, some investments stood out in their awfulness.
After a surprise surge last week, the US oil rig count resumed its decline this week (dropping 3 to 538). Gas rigs dropped 6 in the last week (as the Nattie glut continues). Crude oil prices fell very modestly on the rig count data (having run stops to FOMC day gaps).
Rig count continues to track lagged oil price almost perfectly...
Crude slipped very modestly...
Having run stops to last week's major inventory build...
Charts: Bloomberg
We exposed the ugly truth below the surface of Santa's rally yesterday, but today it just got even more fantastical...
The "Arms Index" or "TRIN" is a technical analysis indicator that compares advancing and declining stock issues and trading volume as an indicator of overall market sentiment.
Remember, you have to believe (in The Fed) to receive (from The Market) before these jaws of doom will snap shut one way or the other.
And it's not FANGs that are dragging the index higher...