Will Small-Caps Pull Large-Caps Higher Or Will High-Yield Drag Small-Caps Lower?

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

US small-caps are outperforming.  Price action is great.  But large-caps are not on the same page.  And high-yield corporate bonds have diverged with small-caps for a while now. In early 2016 when US stocks reached a major low, several other … Continued

SPY Stuck Within Box Last 2 Weeks – Double Calendar Spread For Theta Capture

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

SPY has broken out of late-January trend line, but acts lethargic, even as short-term technicals are in overbought territory.  Options can help. Since the bull market began in March 2009, time and again shorts have lent a helping hand to … Continued

Dec ’16 Trend Line Defended – Decent Odds Gold Recaptures Broken Support

Gold faced pressure after running into resistance six weeks ago.  The subsequent drop cost the metal long-term support at $1,300-plus.  Gold bugs were not ready to give in that easy, though.  They defended a rising trend line from December 2016.  … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of May 22, 2018. 10-year note: Currently net short 358.6k, down 23.3k. Ten-year Treasury yields (2.93 percent) bottomed intraday at 2.72 percent on April 2, then quickly rose to 3.12 percent on May … Continued

Long And Short Of Short Interest

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

Here is a brief review of period-over-period change in short interest in the May 1-15 period in nine S&P 500 sectors. XLB (SPDR materials ETF) Two weeks ago, XLB (59.33) broke out from a late-January falling trend line, but building … Continued

US Dollar Index Rallies 5.6% in 5 Weeks – If Sustained, Can Impact Inflation, Exports, Economy, Earnings

posted in: Currency, Economy, Technicals | 0

The US dollar index has rallied strongly in the past five weeks.  This can potentially have consequences for US inflation, exports, economy, earnings and what not.  But was the rise enough for FOMC members to discuss in the March meeting? … Continued

Nasdaq 100 Last Week Retreats From Crucial Level – Action This Week Could Be Telling

The Nasdaq 100 index/QQQ could be potentially forming the right side of a bearish head-and-shoulders pattern.  This week’s action could provide further clues. The US economy is one month short of completing nine years of expansion.  The recovery has been … Continued

US Stocks Beginning To Reflect Elevated Optimism Near Term

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

The S&P 500 just broke out of trend-line resistance from late January, and apparently spent tons of energy in doing so.  Near-term, the options market is reflecting elevated optimism.  Unwinding is likely. US stocks enjoyed a nice rally in the … Continued

Small-Caps Act Strong – On Verge of Major Breakout Or Triple Top?

There are some interesting dynamics in play in the small-cap sector – encompassing both fundamentals and technicals. Post-tax cuts of last December, earnings estimates were sharply revised higher.  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was signed into law … Continued