Gold Futures (/GC)

Gold Futures (/GC) are slipping near the $1280 an ounce range as upbeat equities tarnish the value of the precious metal which has remained bid amid the government shutdown. Energy prices (/CL) are up slightly with crude back above $53 a barrel after suffering a 1% defeat to start out the shorted week yesterday over demand concerns. 

10-year bond yield 1/22

The nominal spread between the 10-year bond yield and short-term interest rates -- the so-called "yield-curve spread" -- has been closing since 2014 and is now at a 10-year low. Many believe this signals a U.S. economy headed for recession. But other leading indicators do not point to a sharp slowdown. For example, the nominal spread fails to take inflation into account. On this measure, the real, inflation-adjusted level of bond yields remains historically low versus five-year inflation, and the real level of short-term rates is finally above zero, but only by 40 basis points. We think that Leading Economic Indicators are better predictors than the yield curve. One-year growth for the LEIs is a very robust 5%.

Atlassian Corp. (TEAM 1/18

Atlassian Corp. (TEAM) shares rallied in the extended session Thursday after the business productivity software company's results and outlook topped Wall Street estimates. Atlassian shares surged 5.1% after hours, following a 1.5% decline to close the regular session at $92.92. The company reported fiscal second-quarter net income of $45.2 million, or 18 cents a share, compared with a loss of $64.2 million, or 28 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings were 25 cents a share. Revenue rose to $299 million from $214.6 million in the year-ago quarter. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had forecast earnings of 21 cents a share on revenue of $288.3 million. For the third quarter, Atlassian expects earnings of about 18 cents a share on revenue of $303 million to $305 million, while analysts forecast 17 cents a share on revenu e of $300.7 million.

10 year treasury yield (TNX

The 10 year treasury yield (TNX) has ticked up to 2.72% following the implications of the Brexit defeat. Mortgage applications surged 13.5% last week thanks to the recent relief in interest rates as some buyers return to the market after painfully slow holiday inaction.  Refinances primarily drove the welcomed result with a 19% increase in new applications. 

Natural Gas futures (/NG) 1/15

Forecasts of much colder weather, sent Natural Gas futures (/NG) to their biggest one day gain in two months.  Nat. gas futures for February surged 16% higher to $3.5910.  The natural gas market is 22% higher in 2019.  After a milder than normal December and early January, prices could continue to be volatile. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) will report on gas storage on Thursday.