Gold Gets No Love, But Trying To Stabilize – Dec ’15 Trend Line Defended

It is increasingly getting difficult to discern if US markets are in risk-on or risk-off mode.  There is a bid under the long end of the sovereign bond market.  This in general is a risk-off behavior.  Both the S&P 500 … Continued

US Dollar Index At Fib Resistance – Path Of Least Resistance Down, At Least N/T

posted in: Currency, Derivatives, Technicals | 0

The US dollar index is at an interesting juncture.  The peak in January coincided with a 61.8-percent retracement of the 41.2–percent decline between July 2001 and April 2008.  Right now, it has essentially gone sideways the past five weeks, unable … Continued

Improvement In S&P 500 Earnings-Related Metrics in 1Q18 – One-Off Or Trend?

posted in: Economy, Equities | 0

In 1Q18, S&P 500 companies reported $36.54 in operating earnings, up 26.8 percent year-over-year and eight percent quarter-over-quarter.  This was non-GAAP.  GAAP was up 20.3 percent y/y and 22.5 percent q/q to $33.02. Apart from being a record quarter, 1Q18 … Continued

SPY – Medium-Term Risks Building, But Can Rally Near Term

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

On the weekly chart, SPY remains grossly overbought, but near term there is room to rally – duration and magnitude notwithstanding.  Options can help. US core PCE (personal consumption expenditures) increased 1.96 percent year-over-year in May – essentially two percent.  … Continued

US Corporations Splurge On Dividends/Buybacks, Cash Cushion Likely Shrinks Ahead

posted in: Uncategorized | 0

US companies are sitting on tons of cash, and are also spending tons in dividends and buybacks.  As they continue to pay back shareholders, debt load – rising – moves front and center. S&P 500 buybacks shot up to new … Continued

Long And Short Of Short Interest

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

Here is a brief review of period-over-period change in short interest in the June 1-15 period in nine S&P 500 sectors. XLB (SPDR materials ETF) Monday, XLB (57.83) bounced off the daily lower Bollinger band.  The daily chart is oversold.  … Continued

Early Signs Of Large-Cap Fatigue Spreading To Small-Caps, Tech

posted in: Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

Signs of fatigue are showing up in US equities.  It began with large-caps, and now there are early signs it is spreading to small-caps as well as tech. The small-cap switch was turned on right after Donald Trump was elected … Continued