After Decent Rally, US Equity Indices Rejected At Resistance – Path Of Least Resistance Down N/T

After rallies that lasted a little over two weeks, selling began on major US equity indices last week right at important resistance.  This likely continues near term. US capacity utilization in March rose 0.4 percent month-over-month and 3.3 percent year-over-year … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 17, 2018. 10-year note: Currently net short 371.7k, up 41.1k. The Treasury yield curve once again is the talk of the town. The yield spread between 10- and two-year notes fell … Continued

Manufacturing, Small-Business/Consumer Optimism At Multi-Year High – Inventories Worth Close Watch

posted in: Economy | 0

After coming under pressure for months, the ratio of inventories to sales has slightly risen since bottoming last November.  It is worth watching. US real GDP growth decelerated to 2.9 percent in 4Q17.  This followed growth of 3.2 percent in … Continued

Indices Getting Overbought N/T – Earnings Season Underway, With Adverse Friday Reaction

posted in: Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

If investor/trader reaction last Friday to financials’ 1Q18 results is any indication, we are in for some interesting weeks ahead. First-quarter earnings season began in earnest last week.  For 1Q18, the sell-side expects $35.63 in operating earnings from S&P 500 … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 10, 2018. 10-year note: Currently net short 330.6k, down 44.7k. Annual core CPI rose stronger-than-expected 2.12 percent in March.  This was the first year-over-year reading with a two handle in a … Continued

S&P 500 Struggle To Lift Off Of 200DMA – Short Put For Premium/To Position For Earnings Bounce

Presently, the state of US trade deficit and how the Trump administration is attempting to address it is front and center. In February, the deficit came in at $57.6 billion, with the 12-month total of $589.6 billion, which was the … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 3, 2018. 10-year note: Currently net short 375.4k, up 70.2k. Ten-year Treasury yields (2.78 percent) rose from 2.03 percent last September to 2.94 percent this February.  The 30-year fixed mortgage rate … Continued

After Dropping 19% Over 9 Weeks, ITB Bulls Defend 200DMA – Too Soon To Call All-Clear

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

After a 19-percent peak-to-trough drop, ITB defends crucial support Wednesday.  Is this part of a normal correction or something is amiss in housing? In the last several sessions, tons of stocks as well as equity ETF’s and indices were literally … Continued

S&P 500 Loses 200DMA, But Barely; VIX In Non-Confirmation Mode

The S&P 500 large cap index is testing the lows of February, but VIX acts nowhere near as panicky.  This could be a tell for stocks near term. The ISM manufacturing index dropped 1.5 points month-over-month in March.  February’s 60.8 … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of March 27, 2018. 10-year note: Currently net short 305.2k, down 8.1k. For the first time since mid-December last year, 10-year Treasury yields went under the 50-day moving average this week.  On March … Continued