What If?

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

Is the U.S. economy strong, weak or just about right?  Better yet, is it getting stronger, weaker or going sideways?  The truth is, pessimists and optimists both can selectively pick and choose to support their own bias. That said, data … Continued

Savings Rate Drops To Decade Low – Elevated Home Prices Major Factor In Propping Consumer Confidence/Spending

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

In September, Americans saved a mere 3.1 percent of their disposable personal income.  This was the lowest since three percent in December 2007.  The savings rate has trended lower since peaking at 6.3 percent in October 2015, which means it … Continued

Going By Small-Cap Action, Investors Subtly Leaning Toward Risk-Off

If small-caps are a gauge of investor mood for risk- on and-off, then they are subtly beginning to lean toward risk-off. Of the four major U.S. indices – the S&P 500 large cap index, Dow Industrials, Nasdaq composite, and the … Continued

Hated Bull Market? Some Truth To That, But In Aggregate Has Been Fully Embraced

posted in: Credit, Equities, Technicals | 0

Equity bulls often assert that this is the most hated bull market ever.  There is some – with emphasis on ‘some’ – truth to that, particularly if we focus on short interest. U.S. stocks reached an important bottom in January/February … Continued

CoT: Peek Into Future Through Futures – How Hedge Funds Are Positioned

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Oct 24, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 153.6k, up 47.3k. FOMC meets next week.  The October 31-November 1 meeting is the seventh this year, with the eighth, and final, scheduled for … Continued

Amidst Persistently Complacent Investor Sentiment, S&P 500 Shows Signs Of Fatigue

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

Investor sentiment continues to remain exuberant even as, for the first time in a while, there is a chink in the S&P 500’s armor. Investors Intelligence bulls this week jumped 2.3 points week-over-week to 62.3 percent.  This was a third … Continued

Long And Short Of Short Interest

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

XLB (SPDR materials ETF) XLB (58.96) is up 3.8 percent month-to-date, and is on pace to rally 12 straight months, with short squeeze helping. In this context, Monday’s reversal candle just outside the daily upper Bollinger band may or may … Continued

Ten-Year T-Yields Back Up, But Still Under Crucial 2.62%

posted in: Credit, Economy, Technicals | 0

U.S. Treasury yields have come under upward pressure for nearly a month and a half, although the increase has not been uniform across the curve. The yield curve (spread between the two- and 10-year) last Friday was only 79 basis … Continued

CoT: Peek Into Future Through Futures – How Hedge Funds Are Positioned

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Oct 17, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 106.3k, down 86.3k. If Politico is to be believed, President Trump is leaning toward Jerome Powell, Fed governor, for the next Federal Reserve chair.  … Continued