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

U.S. Dollar Under Pressure: What’s Next And How To Trade It

A stronger U.S. dollar finally caused some disturbance with U.S. corporations, especially multinationals.  While reporting March-quarter earnings, one after another singled out the dollar for causing top-line shortfall. From trough to peak between last May and March this year, the … Continued

Despite weak macro backdrop, markets pricing in higher inflation!

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

For only 4th time in six-plus decades, U.S. GDP price deflator goes negative Macro data weaker than expected this week, but rates come under upward pressure Dollar plays crucial role in inflation outlook, breaks support, could be headed toward 92 … 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