Let's get into some of these deals. I never set deals. You can talk about can't talk about when to talk in broad terms about the appetite here for the capital that we need to provide to this particular force, this growing Force II datacenters, where it's going to come from and why, given a team, are going to fit in.So I think it's I mean, it's it's a huge super secular opportunity. There is an enormous need for funding and equity in data center. We I don't know whether the $6.7% trillion for McKinsey is rem ...

Core Viewpoint - Lloyd Blankfein, former CEO of Goldman Sachs, expresses concerns about potential economic crises due to narrow credit spreads and the rise of private credit, indicating a sense of foreboding in financial markets [1][5]. Financial Market Risks - Blankfein highlights the risks associated with narrow credit spreads, which are at their tightest in about 20 years, suggesting that this may lead to mispricing of risks in an uncertain economic environment [6]. - The private credit market has grown to a $1.7 trillion industry, driven by higher interest rates that offer better yields for investors, but this growth raises concerns about hidden risks and liquidity issues [6][7]. Economic Outlook - Blankfein warns that historical patterns suggest a "crisis of the century" occurs every four to five years, indicating that the market may be due for another unexpected downturn [3]. - Despite these concerns, Blankfein is currently fully invested in equities, anticipating that the Federal Reserve will lower rates, which could support a bull market [3][4]. Diverging Economic Predictions - Wall Street analysts are divided on the economic outlook, with UBS predicting a 93% risk of recession, while Deutsche Bank remains optimistic, raising its year-end S&P 500 target from 6,550 to 7,000 [4].

Economic Outlook - The former CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, suggests that the US economy may be due for a crisis, noting historical patterns of crises occurring every four to five years [2][6] - Blankfein highlights that while the current economic environment shows resilience, there are underlying risks that could lead to significant economic events [2][6] Credit Market Concerns - Blankfein identifies credit markets as a potential source of the next economic problem, emphasizing the role of leverage that may not be immediately visible [3][6] - He points out that credit spreads are historically narrow, indicating a possible mispricing of risk by investors, which could lead to complacency in the market [4][5] - The ICE Bank of America US High Yield Index Option-Adjusted Spread is reported to be near 2.84%, close to historic lows, suggesting reduced perceived risk in the credit market [5] Private Credit Growth - There is a notable increase in assets under management in private credit, growing at a year-over-year pace of 14.5%, as investors seek higher yields [7] - Blankfein warns that the trend of leveraging in private credit could pose risks, particularly regarding the valuation of assets held by insurers involved in this space [8]

Market Trends - Several Asian borrowers are initiating discussions with investors this week regarding dollar bond deals [1] - The aim is to secure some of the tightest credit spreads observed in decades [1]

Market Conditions Update - The article provides a brief update on current market conditions, focusing specifically on credit spreads between U.S. investment-grade bonds and U.S. Treasuries [1]. ETFs Covered - The article mentions that it will cover specific ETFs related to the discussed credit spreads [1].

Credit spreadsThe market’s price of risk, from bonds to options.Read more 👇https://t.co/vI38Tqty7K ...

Market Outlook - The market structure suggests a potential 5% pullback to around 6100 on the S&P, offering a buying opportunity [2] - Cracks are appearing under the surface, particularly in consumer-focused names like transports, retail, and restaurant stocks [4] - Credit spreads are potentially too tight and may widen, correlating with weaker ISM employment data, suggesting risk in cyclical versus defensive trades [8][11][13] - Blowout earnings from megacaps like Meta and Microsoft haven't translated into sustained buying enthusiasm, indicating potential profit-taking [9][10] Sector Analysis - Semiconductors appear vulnerable, with software potentially outperforming them in August based on the last five years' performance [5] - Transportation stocks' underperformance hasn't significantly impacted the overall index [9] Risk Factors - A significant widening of credit spreads alongside a rising equity market would be a major concern, reminiscent of 2007 [12]

Market Trends - Asian investment-grade dollar bonds credit spreads widened [1] - The widening is on course for the biggest two-day blowout since early April [1] - The widening followed worse-than-expected US jobs data [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BATS:VUSB) is designed for investors seeking income with minimal duration risk, averaging around 0.9 years in duration despite its "Ultra-Short" label [1] Fund Characteristics - The ETF holds 1008 bonds with a yield to maturity of 4.7%, compared to a benchmark yield of 4.0% [1] - The average coupon rate for the fund is 4.2%, while the benchmark has a coupon rate of 0.0% [1] - The fund's total net assets as of June 30, 2025, are $5.4 billion [1] - The turnover rate for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, is 61.7% [1] Credit Quality - The credit quality of the bonds is generally good, with over 30% in BBB-rated bonds considered acceptable due to the short duration [5][8] - Only 0.5% of the portfolio consists of single B-rated bonds, indicating a low level of exposure to lower-rated credit risk [8] Liquidity and Expense - The ETF has a trading volume of 715,698 shares, translating to approximately $35 million, which is considered sufficient for tight bid-ask spreads [9] - The expense ratio is competitive at 0.10% [9] Market Context - The ETF's share price experienced volatility from late 2021 to early 2023, primarily driven by fluctuations in interest rates [2][4] - The current economic environment shows strong employment, but the Federal Reserve's focus on managing inflation could lead to potential rate increases [11][12] Investment Strategy - The ETF may not be the best choice for investors in high-tax states due to tax implications, making it more suitable for tax-advantaged accounts [7][15] - The current credit spreads are not appealing, leading to a preference for individual positions or short-term Treasury ETFs for cash management [15]

Investment Rating - The report suggests a neutral view on Energy and recommends a Long EU IG vs. Itrax Main strategy to benefit from potential summer volatility [1][6]. Core Insights - Investors perceive tariffs as the primary risk, with expectations of a negotiated trade deal following potential tariff implementations [2][4]. - Credit spreads have tightened significantly, indicating market complacency regarding tariff outcomes [2][3]. - The report highlights a divergence in investor positioning, with some maintaining cash reserves to capitalize on potential market dislocations [3][4]. Summary by Sections Investor Positioning - Global investor positioning has split into two camps: those with a long risk stance and those underweight in credit risk, now chasing benchmarks [3]. - Cash balances for EU funds were historically high at the start of June, allowing for deployment in primary deals [3][4]. Economic Outlook - The report anticipates a gradual economic slowdown in the US, with tariffs expected to impact growth, though the timing remains uncertain [4][6]. - A low-volume, low-volatility summer is anticipated if tariff deadlines do not lead to significant market disruptions [4]. Credit Market Dynamics - The report models a scenario favoring high yield (HY) over investment grade (IG) in Q3 2025, particularly in tariffs-sensitive sectors [6]. - The analysis indicates limited correlation between oil prices and credit spreads, suggesting macro rather than micro impacts on credit [7][8]. Trade Strategies - The report advocates for receiving July/September ECB contracts as a hedge for fixed income portfolios, offering better asymmetry for credit portfolios [1][2]. - A tactical opportunity is identified in a Long EU IG Cash vs. Itrax Main position, driven by macro sensitivity, seasonality, momentum, and risk-reward positioning [6].