Credit check: Is it time to worry about credit card debt?

Wells Fargo Research Team Wells Fargo

Summary

After paying off credit card debt during the COVID lockdown period, households have levered up at a pace seven times as fast as they did in the prior cycle. Revolving consumer credit, which mostly consists of credit card debt, sits at an all-time high of $1.3 trillion today. Credit card delinquencies are starting to tick higher as well amid the highest average annual percentage rate on credit card debt in data going back to the early 1980s. So, is it time to start worrying about credit card debt? In this note, we summarize the explosion in credit reliance over the past few years and put it into context of the still-relatively healthy financials of the household sector.

Download The Full Special Commentary

Author

Wells Fargo Research Team

Wells Fargo

AUD/USD sits at three-week highs above 0.7000 on hawkish RBA-speak

AUD/USD holds a positive bias for the fourth straight day, trading above 0.7000 in the Asian session on Wednesday and at three-week highs. RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser's hawkish remarks and inflation concerns underpin the pair. However, the upside appears capped as the US Dollar attracts some buyers amid looming US-Iran uncertainty.

USD/JPY remains confined in a familiar range below 158.50

USD/JPY sees some dip-buying in the Asian session on Wednesday, though it remains confined within a multi-week range near 158.50 as the uncertainty over the timing of the next BoJ rate hike keeps Japanese Yen bulls on the defensive. Meanwhile, hawkish Fed expectations, bolstered by inflation risks stemming from volatile oil prices, underpin the US Dollar. However, looming intervention fears could limit JPY losses and cap the currency pair.

Gold extends losing spree as US bond yields hold ground

Gold extends its losing streak for the fourth trading day on Wednesday, trading 0.2% lower to near $4,115 in the Asian session. The precious metal is under pressure as United States Treasury Yields on the back of significant gains in oil prices in past few weeks.

Ethereum bounces off $2,400 for a sixth day despite ETF outflows

Ethereum (ETH) bounced again near the $2,400 level on Tuesday, the sixth straight day, as its on-chain cost basis and key moving averages have stood as key support levels. The sub-$2,400 level has proven to be a strong support for the top altcoin over the past week amid macro pressures. Buyers have repeatedly stepped in to defend prices whenever it falls below the level.

UK CPI set to accelerate, paving the way for a BoE interest rate hike in November

The United Kingdom Office for National Statistics is expected to release September’s Consumer Price Index on Wednesday at 06:00 GMT. These figures will be accompanied by the Producer Price Index and the Retail Sales report.

The US Dollar fell. Gold didn't rally. That tells you everything

Gold (XAU/USD) is struggling to capitalize on a weaker US Dollar (USD), after repeatedly failing to establish itself above the $4,200 level. The precious metal remains confined to a relatively narrow trading range despite a combination of developments that would normally support higher prices.