Tax-Cut Hopes Propelling Small-Caps — To Face Reality Test Ahead

Post-presidential election last November, U.S. small-caps sprung to life, going nearly parabolic in two separate spurts.  President Trump’s promises to cut taxes, prune regulations and increase infrastructure spending helped improve investor sentiment.  Small-caps inherently are domestically focused. The first rally … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Oct 10, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 192.6k, down 39.6k. Market participants constantly rerate expectations.  They have to.  The related variables are dynamic and constantly changing themselves. The nimble ones are … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Oct 3, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 232.2k, down 24.5k. December looks like a lock.  The odds in the futures market of a 25-basis-point hike in the 12-13th meeting that month … Continued

Proposed Tax Cuts Passing Congress Hardly A Given

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On September 27, the White House unveiled its proposal for changes to the tax code, which would drop the corporate rate from 35 percent to 20 percent.  For individuals, the top tax bracket drops from nearly 40 percent to 35 … Continued

R2K Breaks Out – Breakout Retest Matter Of Time, And Will Test Rally’s Sustainability

There is a new-found spring in U.S. small-caps’ step.  What changed all of a sudden?  More importantly, are there ingredients in place for the rally to sustain itself? The Russell 2000 small cap index just broke out.  It has been … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Sep 26, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 256.6k, down 13.5k. The Treasury yield curve widened this week.  The spread between 10- and two-year notes went from 78 basis points on Monday … Continued

Z.1 — 2Q17 Household Assets At New High, Several Other Metrics At Nosebleed Territory

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities | 0

The financial accounts of the U.S. for 2Q17 was published last Thursday.  Better known as the Z.1 report, the massive quarterly publication contains tons of useful data – thus highly recommended. The seven charts below try to highlight where things … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Sep 19, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 270.1k, up 18.4k. Americans’ love for leverage needs no elaboration.  The debt culture began in earnest in the early ’80s.  Leverage remains high – … Continued

With Income And Home Price Headwind, Hitherto-Housing Tailwind Rates Need Close Watch

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

Rates are rising – probably not enough to seriously hurt sectors such as housing, but will in due course if the momentum continues. In merely nine sessions, 10-year Treasury yields have gone up by 24 basis points to 2.28 percent, … Continued