Margin Debt Diverges With Stocks, VIX Maintains At Higher Plateau

The S&P 500 is within striking distance of a new high, even as margin debt is substantially below last May’s record high.  Concurrently, unlike in the past, VIX refuses to sustainably drop to high single digits/low double digits. Margin debt … Continued

Some Potential Green Shoots From Money Markets, Although Foreigners Send Different Message

There was a massive drop in money-market assets last week.  This is a potential green shoot should this continue, although bulls could not quite cash in on it last week.  The mother of all potential green shoots – foreigners – … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 16, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 275.7k, up 14.1k. The support-turned-resistance at 2.62 percent was tested – unsuccessfully – Wednesday when the 10-year yield (2.56 percent) rallied to 2.61 percent.  … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 9, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 261.6k, up 37.3k. During the week, job openings painted a mixed picture.  Non-farm job openings (JOLTS) for February dropped 538,000 month-over-month to 7.1 million.  … Continued

With Massive Gains Past 3 Months, Bulls Stay Put; Reversal Risks Rising Looking At VIX Futures

Kudos to equity bulls for pulling off an impressive reversal off of late-December lows.  Major indices have now rallied for over three months, pushing them into extended territory.  Looking at VIX futures, a lot of the good news is in … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 2, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 224.2k, up 57.7k. The 10-year Treasury rate (2.5 percent) rallied nine basis points this week.  Support around the intraday low of 2.36 percent eight … Continued

10-Year T-Yield Breaks Crucial Support, TLT Overbought Near Term

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

The 10-year T-yield not only lost a rising trend line from July 2016 but also decade-old support at 2.62 percent.  TLT has been on a tear, but is overbought; digestion of the recent gains is the path of least resistance. … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of March 26, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 166.3k, up 2.3k. Mid-December last year, the 10-year Treasury rate lost a trend line from July 2016 when it bottomed at 1.34 percent.  This … Continued

Housing Starts Not Keeping Up With Job Growth And Household Formation

posted in: Economy | 0

Job growth and household formation are healthy.  However, housing starts are falling behind.  Not to mention the yawning gap between renter-occupied versus owner-occupied housing units. The post-financial crisis recovery is just three months short of completing a decade.  Great Recession … Continued