In 2010, a very important change in this relationship has gone unnoticed in financial circles. Commodities have risen on their own and largely without the help of a weak USD. Year-to-date, the Continuous Commodity Index (CCI) is higher by 19% and the USD is higher by 3%.
In the following chart, we plot the CCI and the inverse of the USD in the top row. One can see the major divergence. The CCI has made significant new highs in 2010, while the inverse of the USD remains well below its late 2009 peak. In the lower row, we graph the CCI against UDN, a basket of currencies that excludes the buck. That chart surpassed the 2008 high.
This begs the question: Why the change?
While precious metals are the premier store of value, it's important to remember that all hard assets can be a store of value. Investors are seeking stores of value as a combination of the actions of governments and immaterial economic growth has called into question the long-term viability of fiat currencies. Precious metals have been the leader but commodities are following suit, as is usually the case.
As the following chart illustrates, commodities have performed well against all assets–not just ill-fated currencies. In recent months, the CCI has surged when priced against corporate bonds, Treasury bonds and stocks.
Despite the clear resurgence in the commodities space, all we hear from the mainstream press is the rebound in stocks; y think the S&P 500 was in some great bull market from all of this talk.
Yes, stocks have rebounded tremendously; but consider the following: Gold is nearly 40% above its 2008 high. Silver is 36% above its 2008 high. The CCI is 3% below its high. The emerging markets ETF is 12% below its 2008 high. The S&P 500 is 21% below its 2008 high.
So while the James Altucher's of the world are patting theirselves on the back for the S&P 500's rally, they conveniently ignore the huge bull market in precious metals and commodities. Gold, silver and the commodities sector have crushed the S&P 500 in recent months and years. It's great if you've made money in stocks, but they are a loser compared to the aforementioned bull markets.
Investor likely would've made more money if they turned their focus to leveraged resource companies. The good news is we are in a bull market for resources, and the sector is broad and expansive. In our new Commodities service, we focus on highlighting the value and opportunity in this broad sector. U.S. stocks remain in a secular bear market, while resource stocks will hit higher and higher highs well before these stocks begin their next bull market. Consider a free 14-day trial to our service as we seek to help you profit from the ongoing bull run in metals, energy and agriculture.
Good Luck!
Jordan Roy-Byrne, CMT
[email protected]
The Daily Commodities
