After massive rallies off the early-April lows, the major US equity indices are bumping against potentially crucial resistance. Pre-opening, futures are strong, reacting to the agreement between the US and China to slash tariffs; small-cap reaction will be a big … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of January 30, 2024. 10-year note: Currently net short 859k, up 74.3k. January produced a blockbuster payrolls report. The economy added 353,000 non-farm jobs and the prior months were revised higher. This only … Continued
Equity bulls rallied the major US stock indices strongly early last week, but the momentum faded as the week progressed. One of the reasons for this is the lack of potential tailwind coming from heightened bearish sentiment. Equity bulls are … Continued
With high-single-digit losses in major US stock indices since mid- to late-July, bulls made it clear last week they are putting their foot down. A reflex rally is probable. The 3Q earnings season begins in earnest later this week, and … Continued
The ratio of Investors Intelligence bulls to bears hit three this week. This is not as extreme as four, or higher, but in today’s market, even three is becoming rare. This takes place even as the S&P 500 just hit … Continued
NIPA profits are now down three quarters in a row. The downward momentum likely continues in an environment in which the fed funds rate has gone up by 500 basis points over 14 months. This will force the sell-side to … Continued
January was up strongly this year. For the believers of the January barometer, this means an up year – or at least the odds are heavily stacked for that outcome. Nevertheless, the fact remains that a sticky inflation could throw … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of January 10, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 411.4k, up 27.8k. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has his hands full. He wants to slow down the US economy to bring inflation under … Continued
Last Thursday’s CPI report lit a fire under US stocks. It was as if the FoMO phenomenon was in play in a seasonally strong period. But it is early to adopt a full risk-on mode. By Friday, the S&P 500 … Continued
After three straight down weeks, both large- and small-caps rallied strong last week. More could follow should non-commercial futures traders, who remain heavily net short S&P 500 e-mini and Russell 2000 mini-index contracts, are forced to cover. Last week began … Continued