Small-Caps Act Strong – On Verge of Major Breakout Or Triple Top?

There are some interesting dynamics in play in the small-cap sector – encompassing both fundamentals and technicals. Post-tax cuts of last December, earnings estimates were sharply revised higher.  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was signed into law … Continued

SPY Puts Together 7-Session, 5.4% Rally – Breather/Reversal Path Of Least Resistance N/T

Intraday over seven sessions, SPY rallied 5.4 percent.  If not an outright reversal, at least a breather is the path of least resistance near term, creating opportunity to earn premium in options. The 1Q18 earnings season is nearly over.  As … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of May 8, 2018. 10-year note: Currently net short 408.6k, down 37k. The 10-year Treasury rate (2.97 percent) once again is hammering on three percent.  On April 25, yields retreated after rising intraday … Continued

Little Too Early To Conclude, But Watch Out If US Consumers Start Saving More

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

There are some signs US consumers are beginning to save up a little and cut down on credit card debt.  If – big IF – sustained, this will have consequences for the economy, not to mention stocks. In general, a … Continued

SPY Bulls Once Again Defend 200-DMA, Room To Rally N/T – Short Put For Premium

First-quarter earnings are coming in strong, but stocks are stuck in a rut.  There is room to rally near term, with tons of overhead resistance. One common complaint among the bulls is that US stocks of late have failed to … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of May 1, 2018. 10-year note: Currently net short 445.7k, down 16.5k. US inflation of late has firmed up.  Core PCE – the Fed’s favorite measure of consumer inflation – jumped 1.88 percent … Continued

On FOMC Decision Day, Inflation Front And Center – Crude Oil Worth Watching

posted in: Commodities, Economy, Technicals | 0

Recent inflation readings have firmed up, although remain subdued historically.  As have inflation expectations.  What happens with crude oil, which rallied big the past couple of years, is worth watching. Later today, the FOMC concludes its two-day meeting – the … Continued

Shortly After Crossing 3%, 10-Year T-Yield Gives out Signs Of Fatigue – TLT Short Put

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

For first time in over four years, the 10-year Treasury rate surpasses three percent, only to raise the possibility that this is as high as it is going to go at least in the short term. After several quarters of … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 24, 2018. 10-year note: Currently net short 462.1k, up 90.4k. Now what? The 10-year Treasury rate (2.96) crossed three percent this week – the first time this has happened since January … Continued