Sell-Side Revises Small-Cap Earnings Estimates Higher For Both This Year And Next, Russell 2000 Does Not Care And Breaks Down

The sell-side just bumped up estimates for S&P 600 operating earnings for both this year and next. The Russell 2000 does not give a hoot. Small-caps act weak – much weaker than large-caps. If they are sending the right signal, … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of September 19, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 702.3k, down 42k. The 10-year treasury yield this week made what could turn out to be an important breakout. Or could it? Last October, … Continued

Fed Surprises With Hawkish Tone; Yawning Gap Remains Between Its Message And How Futures Traders Are Positioned

This week’s dot plot indicated one more hike is possible this year. Equity bulls did not want to hear this. In the futures market, a wide gap remains between what fed funds traders see things and what the Fed tells … Continued

Margin Debt And Buybacks Not In Full Cooperation Mid- To Long-Term; Near-Term, Bulls Just Wasted Opportunity To Put Foot Down

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

Near-term, equity bulls may just have wasted an opportunity to put their foot down. Mid- to long-term, both margin debt and share buybacks are no longer a potent tailwind as they once were. FINRA margin debt dropped 2.9 percent month-over-month … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of September 12, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 744.3k, down 47.2k. The FOMC meets next week. This is the sixth scheduled meeting this year, and two more remain – one each in … Continued

S&P 500 Buybacks Down From Record $281bn In 1Q22, With Index Peaking In Jan That Year, To $175bn In 2Q23

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

Buybacks acted as a massive tailwind leading up to and as the S&P 500 peaked in January last year. Spending has come down quite a bit and is increasingly turning into a headwind. Share buybacks by S&P 500 companies are … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of September 5, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 791.5k, down 14k. Non-commercials reduced their massive holdings of net shorts in 10-year note futures, but nothing major. At 791,535 contracts, positions remain within … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of August 29, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 805.6k, up 110.7k. Non-commercials aggressively added to net shorts in 10-year note futures. This week’s count of 805,553 contracts is merely 5.6 percent from … Continued

NIPA Profits Diverge From S&P 500 Non-GAAP Earnings, With Sell-Side Optimism Very High For Latter

posted in: Economy, Equities | 0

US corporate profits are now down four quarters in a row from the record 2Q22, even as the sell-side has S&P 500 non-GAAP earnings growing 11.7 percent this year and 11.5 percent next. The gap between GAAP and non-GAAP in … Continued

Equity Bulls And Bears Defend Their Turf; Former Has Opportunity To Cash In On Bearish Sentiment That Has Built Up In Options

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 saw buyers and sellers pounce on opportunity at important technical levels. Bulls have an opportunity to cash in on bearish sentiment that has sharply risen of late in the options market. For that, … Continued