Rare for U.S. corporate profits to drop during expansion — what to make of 2014 drop?

posted in: Economy, Equities | 0

U.S. corporate profits down in 2014, but not S&P 500 earnings Since ’46, corporate profits have only dropped 4 times during expansion Twice since 1989, corporate profits fell but not SPX earnings, latter fell following year  U.S. corporate profits were down … Continued

U.S. corporations setting aside fewer profit dollars for software, R&D

posted in: Economy | 0

Share of U.S. corporate profits in national income barely off all-time highs Share of software plus R&D in U.S. private fixed investment falling since 2009 As good a hint as any for corporates to send current margins unsustainable long term? … Continued

Peer into future through futures

The following are futures positions of non-commercials as of March 24, 2015.  Change is week-over-week. 10-year note: After what these traders heard out of the FOMC last week, they decided to step on the accelerator.  Net shorts went up 67 … Continued

Bids show up on SMH on support, asks likely will show up on resistance

posted in: Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

Semi rout after months of decline in orders for business capX proxy From INTC to TSM to SNDK, semi heavyweights pointing out biz slowdown SMH shorts stand no chance until longs are bothered by worsening earnings scene It is not … Continued

HYG, JNK not likely to take kindly to hawkish Fed, let alone end of ZIRP

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities | 0

Last six years, U.S. high-yield bond issuance of $1.6tn This week, several Fed officials signal imminent rate hike this year Junk bonds – popular risk-on vehicle – not likely to take kindly to end of ZIRP A week ago, HYG, … Continued

U.S. non-financials’ 2014 capX >internally generated funds. One-off, given energy dynamics?

posted in: Economy | 0

Subdued corporate capX now will adversely impact productivity later First time in 6 years, U.S. non-financials corporate capX exceeds internal funds Given new energy dynamics and impact on capX, too early to back-slap and high-five? U.S. corporations have not been … Continued

Peek into future through futures

The following are futures positions of non-commercials as of March 17, 2015.  Change is week-over-week. 10-year note: What a week!  In four out of the five sessions, the 10-year yield fell – down 18 basis points for the week.  On … Continued

No rate hike in foreseeable future

posted in: Credit, Currency, Economy | 0

Fed gets rid of “patient”, but hints it will be patient in hiking rates Surging dollar impacts exports; Fed takes 2015 GDP forecast down a notch With economic data increasingly coming in weak, rate-hike odds this year next to nil  … Continued

KBE on cusp of breakout, even as XLF lags

posted in: Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

Different messages coming out of two financial ETFs – KBE vs. XLF KBE similar to KRE, regional bank ETF, while XLF is large cap-dominated C&I loans have been growing nicely, but so is inventories-to-sales ratio, muddying picture How did U.S. … Continued

FOMC will probably dictate next big move for dollar index

Dollar index signaling it is ready to at least pause? Stronger $ will adversely impact both exports and earnings Fed can ill afford to send hawkish signal post-FOMC on Wednesday Over the past three sessions, this is how the U.S. … Continued