The Weekly Macro Checklist: 8 Indicators in 5 Minutes
A disciplined weekly ritual to stay on top of market conditions.
Why a Weekly Checklist?
Markets move on macro conditions, but most investors check these indicators reactively—after something bad happens. A weekly review takes 5 minutes and helps you spot changes before they become headlines.
The 8-Point Checklist
Review these indicators every Sunday or Monday morning:
1. VIX Level and Trend
- Current reading (low/normal/high)
- Direction vs. last week
- What to watch: Sudden spikes, persistent elevation
2. Yield Curve Status
- 2Y-10Y spread (positive/flat/inverted)
- Change from prior week
- What to watch: New inversions, steepening after inversion
3. Net Liquidity Direction
- Rising or falling
- TGA and RRP changes
- What to watch: Sharp moves in either direction
4. Buffett Indicator
- Current percentile vs. history
- Trend over past month
- What to watch: New highs, divergence from prices
5. High-Yield Spreads
- Current spread level
- Widening or tightening
- What to watch: Sudden widening signals credit stress
6. Fed Expectations
- Next meeting probability (hike/hold/cut)
- End-of-year expectations
- What to watch: Shifts in rate path expectations
7. Sentiment (Greed/Fear)
- Current reading
- Extreme fear or extreme greed
- What to watch: Extremes often mark turning points
8. Key Economic Releases This Week
- CPI, jobs report, Fed meetings
- Earnings season dates
- What to watch: High-impact events that could move markets
How to Use the Checklist
- Make it a ritual: Same time each week (Sunday evening or Monday morning)
- Note changes: What's different from last week?
- Look for clusters: Multiple indicators flashing warning is more significant than one
- Don't overreact: One week's data rarely warrants major portfolio changes
Sample Weekly Review
Week of January 27, 2026
- ✅ VIX: 18.5 (normal, down from 21 last week)
- ⚠️ Yield curve: -0.15% spread (inverted, unchanged)
- ✅ Liquidity: Rising ($6.2T, up $50B)
- ⚠️ Buffett: 185% (elevated, slight increase)
- ✅ HY spreads: 3.8% (tight, unchanged)
- ✅ Fed: 90% chance hold at next meeting
- ⚠️ Sentiment: 72 (greed, approaching extreme)
- 📅 This week: Fed meeting Wednesday, Jobs Friday
Takeaway: Mixed signals. Liquidity supportive but valuation elevated and sentiment approaching extreme greed. Maintain current allocation, avoid adding risk before Fed meeting.
Get Your Weekly Snapshot on Macrofinalytic
See all 8 indicators on one dashboard. Complete your weekly review in minutes.
View Dashboard →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the review take?
With all indicators on one dashboard, 5-10 minutes is sufficient. The goal is awareness, not deep analysis.
What if I miss a week?
No problem. Look at the current readings and note any major changes. Macro conditions typically evolve slowly.
Should I trade based on this checklist?
The checklist informs your overall risk posture, not specific trades. Use it to decide whether conditions favor being aggressive or defensive—not to time individual trades.
Last updated: January 2026