Heard yesterday on Bloomberg Radio that U.S. consumption of boats and RVs is through the roof; RV sales are back to pre-Great Recession days, even as sales of boats are below that watermark but remain very healthy. These items tend … Continued
The Russell 2000 Small Cap Index fell four percent last week. In the futures market, large speculators could not have ridden it better. They have been net short since early April – by both cutting longs and raising shorts – … Continued
Short interest continues to inch up. By June-end, Nasdaq’s went up 0.6 percent period-over-period to 8.9bn – highest since end-September 2008 – and NYSE’s edged up 0.7 percent p/p to 14.6bn. What is going on in the Naz in particular … Continued
The U.S. jobs market seems to be on the mend. Or so it seems. June produced the fifth consecutive month of 200k-plus non-farm jobs, for a monthly average of 248k. The last time the economy churned out five consecutive months … Continued
The Institute for Supply Management’s monthly survey of economic activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector is one of the reliable indicators economists/market participants focus on. As with any other data point, it tends to correlate with other data points. The … Continued
As suggested last week, the Russell 2000 Small Cap Index has met with resistance. The index seems to be putting in a top, at least in the near-term. To refresh, late-February/early March, previously hot, momentum-packed groups such as small-caps, biotechs, … Continued
Debt can be both a boon and a bane. Used properly, it can be a very useful tool – be it to an individual, a business, or a government. Too much of it at the same time can unleash destructive … Continued
In many ways, this cycle has been like none other. Equities continue to grind higher. Multiples (valuation) continue to expand. The Fed continues to provide support – both monetary and verbal. Equity bulls continue to throw the caution flag out … Continued
The relentless push higher by U.S. equities is baffling, but it is what it is. All along, there has been no shortage of doubters. As a matter of fact, their ranks have consistently grown particularly this year. At the end … Continued
One of the divergences we have witnessed in recent weeks/months is weak action in small-caps. The Russell 2000 Small Cap Index peaked early March, then suffered a nine-week, 11-percent decline, followed by a rally beginning mid-May. The index still trades … Continued