20-percent-plus move in CSCO past six months prices in fair amount of optimism, stock vulnerable at least near-term

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Unlike a consistent Steady-Eddie CSCO of the past, the company’s quarterly results of late have been a hit-and-miss.  In the U.S., business capex is lackluster but steady.  In November last year, CSCO spooked investors with a downbeat outlook.  In February … Continued

Large speculators in e-mini S&P futures have for several weeks been accumulating shorts and cutting longs

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

There are some interesting things happening in e-mini S&P 500 futures.  First, non-commercials are now net short 121k contracts, nearly double from two weeks ago.  In the intervening period, the S&P 500 index has managed to inch up, having backed … Continued

NFIB respondents’ comp plans portend better days ahead, should we trust?

posted in: Economy | 0

One of the ways the current U.S. economic recovery has seriously diverged from past recoveries is the lack of solid progress on the wage front. In May, year-over-year percent change in average hourly earnings of private-sector employees (seasonally adjusted) came … Continued

ECB action suggests euro-area debt crisis not over yet

posted in: Credit, Currency, Economy | 0

The euro so far is trading exactly as expected.  ECB President Mario Draghi did not disappoint.  Yesterday, the refi rate (main lending rate) was cut to 0.15 percent from 0.25 percent and the deposit rate to negative 0.1 percent from … Continued