Short week. Second estimate at Q1 GDP.

Stocks opened lower seven out of the last 10 trading days. That means stocks sold off overnight in Asia and Europe but then picked up in the U.S. trading day. That shows high-risk avoidance. No one wants to be long overnight and find there’s no volume. Who can blame them? Stocks were down for the week amid trade tensions, weak manufacturing orders and lower oil prices (down 13% this year).

The deflation forces are showing up in a strong dollar and another rally in 10-Year Treasuries. The yield hit an inter-day low of 2.39% (it was as high as 3.2% in October). A 10-Year note trading at $96 back then is now at $104 and that excludes coupon payments. If the slow down continues, trade talks deteriorate and inflation keeps slipping, we would not be surprised to see the 10-Year trade with a 1 handle.

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