Option strategy to benefit from laid-back XLE versus chirpy WTI

Since spot West Texas Intermediate crude broke out of 54 mid-April, it has continued to add to gains, even as XLE, the energy SPDR ETF, has gone sideways/down. Since that major push through four-month consolidation in the middle of April, … Continued

Bulls’ resolve being tested

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

Major U.S. indices reversed from early strength yesterday.  As a matter of fact, it took less than an hour – half an hour in most cases – before things began to turn south.  From the S&P 500 large cap index … Continued

Peek into future through futures

The following are futures positions of non-commercials as of April 21, 2015.  Change is week-over-week. 10-year note: Are bond vigilantes expecting a hawkish tone from the FOMC next week?  The latter meets on 28-29.  For the most part, macro data … Continued

Bear call spread, to benefit from potential pressure on XLE near-term

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

XLE ($82.22), the energy ETF, seems to want to go lower near-term. Since the mid-January low of $71.22, it has carved out a pattern of higher lows, and higher highs, hence now finds itself in a slightly upward sloping channel.  … Continued