Doves Fly, Bulls Run, Animal Spirits On Loose

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

Even though Chair Powell said it is far too early to declare victory, he and his team did exactly that yesterday when they caught markets by surprise by making a hard dovish turn. The dot plot now expects up to … Continued

Options-Related Sentiment Readings Can Begin To Flash Red Should S&P 500 Break Out Of July High Post-FOMC

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Complacency among equity bulls is growing but not extreme yet. With the S&P 500 ending last week right at the July high and breakout odds rising post-FOMC Wednesday, options-related sentiment readings can soon begin to flash red. From July 27th … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of December 5, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 636.5k, down 48.9k. The FOMC meets next Tuesday-Wednesday. This will be the year’s last meeting. They are expected to do nothing. The last hike … Continued

Hard To Come Up With Scenario In Which Russell 2000 Decisively Breaks Out Of Nearly 2-Year Range

The Russell 2000 had a phenomenal Friday as rate-cut expectations were brought forward to March. Futures traders now expect five cuts next year – unlikely unless the US economy craters, in which case small-caps will take the brunt of the … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of November 28, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 685.4k, up 27.2k. Non-commercials do not seem ready to let go of their bearish bias just yet. This week, their holdings of net shorts … Continued

Bulls Riding Strong November Momentum, But Likely To Face Strong Opposition From VIX, Which Currently Sits At Support

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Stocks have done very well this month, pushing the major equity indices into overbought territory. Several other metrics are extended but not extreme. This should give the bulls an opportunity to continue to ride the momentum, but can they pull … Continued

Complacency Running High Pre- And Post-CPI, VIX Approaching Crucial Support Likely To Tempt Contrarians To Enter Trade

Kudos to equity bulls for having cashed in on last Tuesday’s CPI report, which was just a tad better than expected. With three up weeks in a row, the S&P 500 – as overbought as it is on the daily … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of November 14, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 661.8k, up 57.3k. After six months of uninterrupted rally, the 10-year treasury yield is on pace to a down month. So far this month, … Continued

Small-Cap Action Foresees Tough 2024

Small-caps continue to act tentative. It is a group of stocks with the most exposure to the domestic economy, and their performance runs counter to the nearly-consensus view that the economy will do just fine next year. Oddly enough, small-cap … Continued

After Last Week’s Ferocious Relief Rally, US Equities Give Out Signs Of Fatigue

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

Last week, the major US equity indices rallied strongly – rising mid- to high-single digits. Bulls tried to maintain the momentum this week, but bears are coming out of the woodwork. Odds favor the latter right here and now. The … Continued