In/Leading Up To Seasonally Favorable Period, Greed Takes Over

Major US equity indices continue to attract bids and are trading at fresh highs.  Greed rules, with several metrics at nosebleed levels.  In a seasonally favorable period, crazy can get crazier – at least that is what bulls hope.  How … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of December 17, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 245.3k, up 66.4k. Bond bears (on price) keep hammering on a potentially crucial level.  The 10-year Treasury yield (1.92 percent) dropped to 1.43 percent … Continued

US Stocks At New Highs, With Help From Foreigners, Who Have Been Selling Treasuries

posted in: Credit, Equities, Technicals | 0

Major US equity indices posted fresh new highs Monday.  For a while now, foreigners have lent a helping hand, although they at the same time have been aggressively selling US Treasury securities.  Equity bulls would prefer foreigners to maintain the … Continued

Amidst Mixed Macro Signals Plus Other Divergences, New Highs In Major US Equity Indices

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

Amidst mixed signals in the economy and divergences with the bond market and crucial metals, among others, US stocks continue to rally to new highs. US inventories are building – again. In October, manufacturing and trade inventories rose 0.2 percent … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of December 10, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 178.9k, down 43k. As expected, the Fed stood pat.  This week’s FOMC meeting – the year’s eighth and last – left the fed funds … Continued

Post-Russell 2000 Breakout, NFIB Survey Shows Big Improvement In Small-Business Profit Trend

posted in: Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

Two weeks after the Russell 2000 breaks out, November’s data shows big improvement in small-business profit trend.  Job openings is another data point worth watching.  Small-business openings currently are diverging with the national trend. The recent breakout in small-caps is … Continued

Russell 2000 Breakout, Until Proven Otherwise, Deserves Benefit Of Doubt

The Russell 2000 has broken out.  There are many reasons to doubt the breakout – ranging from elevated valuations to falling profit estimates to several soft economic data points.  But as long as the breakout remains intact, bulls deserve the … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of December 3, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 221.9k, up 76.2k. Next week, the FOMC meets.  It is this year’s eighth and last meeting.  Markets do not expect the Fed to move.  … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of November 26, 2019 (data was published Monday instead of last Friday due to Thanksgiving holiday). 10-year note: Currently net short 145.7k, down 37.8k. In the last nine weeks, the Federal Reserve’s SOMA (System … Continued