Small-cap shorts getting squeezed?

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

The answer to the question above is a probable yes. Twice since early March this year, small-caps have come under decent amount of pressure.  The first was a nine-week, 11-percent decline that began early March, followed by a nine-percent drop beginning … Continued

Beaten-down euro’s next move — look for clues in futures markets

The expected decline in the euro never came.  Back on August 11, it looked like the currency was ready for a bounce.  Just a bounce, as long-term technicals were only midway through unwinding overbought conditions hence did not call for … Continued

Odds of short squeeze next to nothing in foreseeable future

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities | 0

NYSE Composite short interest in the middle of August was essentially unchanged month-over-month at 14.8bn, while the Nasdaq Composite saw a 2.4-percent decrease at 8.6bn.  The adjacent chart and the one below show how short interest has been building up … Continued

XLF breaks out, likely headed toward $24, if technicals prevail

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

A month ago, we pointed out a divergence between 10- and two-year Treasury yield spread, which peaked as 2013 was unwinding, and financial stocks, which had ceased to track the spread and were rallying.  Going back nearly 18 years, the … Continued

Nasdaq mini breakout, odds grow S&P 500 at least tests recent highs

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

The Nasdaq Composite (4508.31)has managed to pull off a mini breakout, and is trading above the level identified previously.  As a matter of fact, indices/ETFs such as the S&P 500 Large Cap Index and XLF (financials) have convincingly taken out … Continued

Nervous money managers sticking with their longs, but buying protection

posted in: Derivatives, Equities | 0

In a global survey of 200 institutional money managers, the Bank of America/Merrill Lynch found that the pros are worried about the stock market and are buying protection against a crash.  They are worried about geo-political events and about interest … Continued