The Week Ahead 2026.02.01
Original source ↗  |  February 01, 2026 at 23:06 UTC  |  Substack - Nonconsensus
Speakers
Bob Elliott — Nonconsensus

Summary

  • The broad market rally is perceived as "overdone" and a "mania," despite a strong January, with last week's sharp reversal only unwinding about a third of the month's gains.
  • US stocks have significantly lagged other financial assets, gaining only ~1% for the month, despite a notable pickup in US hard and soft economic data, suggesting they may be relatively cheap and building a case for investment.
  • Global monetary policy is shifting away from easing, with the RBA expected to hike rates, marking the likely end of a multi-year easing cycle, while the ECB and BoE are expected to remain on hold.
  • The US job market continues to strengthen, with consensus expectations for a 70k gain in the upcoming employment report, reinforcing the theme of stronger-than-expected US economic growth and persistent "debasement price action" (evidenced by gold and short dollar gains).

=== MARKET IMPLICATIONS === * Equity Markets: While the broader market may be prone to corrections due to its "overdone" nature, US equities present a potential relative value opportunity. Their lagging performance despite improving US economic fundamentals suggests they could be poised for a catch-up rally or relative outperformance. * Fixed Income: The anticipated RBA rate hike signals a global shift away from an easing bias, implying potential upward pressure on short-term yields, particularly in the US, as stronger economic data and an end to easing are priced in. The author's loss on "long 2yrs" supports this view. * Currencies: The "debasement price action" and the author's profitable "short dollar position" suggest continued weakness for the US Dollar, potentially driven by inflationary pressures or policy choices, even amidst stronger US economic growth. * Commodities: Gold's positive performance, linked to the "debasement" theme, indicates continued potential for precious metals as a hedge against currency weakening and inflation in the current economic environment. * Macro Outlook: The market is navigating a complex interplay of "asset mania," robust US economic growth, and persistent "debasement" pressures, suggesting a continued focus on inflation, central bank policy shifts, and relative value opportunities.

Trade Ideas
Ticker Direction Speaker Thesis Time
LONG Bob Elliott
Substack author, Nonconsensus
US stocks are "only up a little over 1% for the month," lagging other financial assets, despite a "significant surge in hard data, and clear bottoming in soft data" indicating a pickup in US economic conditions. The author states, "the case for stocks is building." If the improving US economic conditions continue to strengthen, US equities, currently undervalued relative to this backdrop and other surging assets, are likely to experience a catch-up rally or relative outperformance. LONG US Equities (e.g., via broad market ETFs like SPY or VOO) expecting them to outperform other financial assets as the underlying economic strength is increasingly priced in. A broader market correction due to the "mania" could drag down US stocks. Economic data could unexpectedly weaken, or higher interest rates from persistent "debasement" could negatively impact valuations.
SHORT Bob Elliott
Substack author, Nonconsensus
The author explicitly notes "debasement price action" and reports gains from a "short dollar position" in their portfolio, consistent with this theme. Despite stronger US economic growth, the author's portfolio performance suggests that the "debasement" theme (implying currency weakening or inflation) is a dominant force, potentially overriding traditional dollar strength from economic outperformance. SHORT US Dollar (e.g., via UUP or specific currency pairs like EUR/USD LONG, AUD/USD LONG given RBA's likely hike) anticipating continued currency debasement. A significant global risk-off event could trigger a flight to safety into the dollar. US economic outperformance could become so strong that it forces a more hawkish Fed stance, strengthening the dollar.
LONG Bob Elliott
Substack author, Nonconsensus
The author explicitly mentions "gains for the month in gold" and links this performance directly to "debasement price action." Gold traditionally serves as a hedge against currency debasement and inflation. If the "debasement" theme persists, gold is likely to continue performing well, offering a protective asset in an environment of asset "mania" and stronger growth. LONG Gold (e.g., via GLD or IAU) as a strategic hedge against ongoing currency debasement and potential inflationary pressures. A significant reversal in the "debasement" theme, a sharp rise in real interest rates, or a strong dollar rally could negatively impact gold prices.
SHORT Bob Elliott
Substack author, Nonconsensus
The author reports "losses short financial assets (mania) and long 2yrs (stronger than expected growth)" in their portfolio. Additionally, the RBA is expected to hike rates, signaling the