Small-Cap Bulls Hope Last Week’s Breakout Precedes Stability In Both Macro And Earnings

Small-caps broke out last week.  This comes amidst earnings deceleration and softening in several macro data.  If things turn up as they did in early 2016, bulls would have been vindicated.  Their conviction level will be put to test by … Continued

Risks Growing Lagging Small-Caps End Up Pulling Leading Large-Caps Lower

Markets have been in dichotomy, with large-caps leading and small-caps lagging.  Bulls were hoping the former would pull the latter along.  But risks are rising things will evolve the opposite way.  It is early, but subtle signs of fatigue are … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of November 19, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 183.5k, up 34.7k. Interesting dynamics are in play in the sovereign bond market. In the 12-months to October, US budget deficit crossed $1 trillion.  … Continued

Frothy Can Get Frothier – Also Means Protection Is Cheap

Yet another week and yet another record in the S&P 500, although the Russell 2000 is not in confirmation.  Sentiment is complacent, some metrics frothy.  But it can get frothier.  This also means buying protection is cheap. The US economy … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of November 12, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 148.8k, down 82.7k. TLT (iShares 20+ year Treasury bond ETF) peaked at $148.90 on August 28, ending the week at $137.76.  Since that peak … Continued

Shorts Contributed To Nasdaq’s Oct Rally, Bulls Looking To Squeeze More But Need To Defend Breakout Retest

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

Since bottoming early last month through last week’s high, The Nasdaq rallied more than 10 percent.  Shorts contributed, as short interest dropped 1.1 percent last month.  Short interest remains elevated.  Bulls are eyeing a squeeze.  For that, they need to … Continued

Bulls, With Momentum, Need Several Non-Cooperating Metrics To Cooperate Better, Else…

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

With momentum on their side, equity bulls hope metrics such as money-market funds, margin debt and even foreign buying of US stocks begin to cooperate better.  In this scenario, volatility, already suppressed, is vulnerable to another leg lower.  Non-commercials are … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of November 5, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 231.5k, up 115.4k. The 10-year Treasury yield (1.93 percent) bottomed on September 3 at 1.43 percent.  Since then, rates have formed higher lows, followed … Continued