XLY’s near-term direction probably down in midst of energy uncertainty

Crude oil is on the move.  Since early April to last week’s high, the Brent has gone up by over 11 percent.  The West Texas Intermediate found a trough much earlier – early this year – and until the high … Continued

20-percent-plus move in CSCO past six months prices in fair amount of optimism, stock vulnerable at least near-term

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Unlike a consistent Steady-Eddie CSCO of the past, the company’s quarterly results of late have been a hit-and-miss.  In the U.S., business capex is lackluster but steady.  In November last year, CSCO spooked investors with a downbeat outlook.  In February … Continued

Large speculators in e-mini S&P futures have for several weeks been accumulating shorts and cutting longs

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

There are some interesting things happening in e-mini S&P 500 futures.  First, non-commercials are now net short 121k contracts, nearly double from two weeks ago.  In the intervening period, the S&P 500 index has managed to inch up, having backed … Continued