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

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

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of October 29, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 116.1k, up 31.7k. As expected, the FOMC delivered a 25-basis-point cut in the fed funds rate this week.  This was a third straight cut … Continued

Nasdaq 100 Reaches New High Last Fri, S&P 500 Itching To Do So; Left Curveball Could Come From VIX Futures In Due Course

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The S&P 500 is itching to make a new high.  The Nasdaq 100 achieved that feat last Friday.  Lowered earnings estimates for the third quarter went a long way, among others.  Bulls have momentum right now.  Medium- to long-term, massive … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of October 22, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 84.4k, down 15.3k. Next week, the FOMC meets.  Wednesday, the Fed is expected to ease.  Futures traders are betting with a 93.5-percent probability that … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of October 8, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 122.6k, down 41.1k. The 10-year Treasury yield (1.75 percent) put in a higher low.  On September 3, rates fell to 1.43 percent, which was … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of October 1, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 163.6k, down 32.7k. Futures traders this week reacted to September’s ISM reports by jacking up the probability of a 25-basis-point cut later this month … Continued

US Exports Weak – Besides Soft Global Trade, Relatively Strong US Dollar To Blame

Global trade is on the back foot.  US-China trade tensions can be partly blamed for this, but as far as US exports are concerned, the US dollar plays a role.  The US dollar index has trended higher for nearly a … Continued

Russell 2K Denied At Dual Resistance, Markets Not Buying Elevated ’20 Earnings Estimates

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

After a decent three-week rally, the Russell 2000 hit a ceiling just short of 1600 two weeks ago.  It closed last week right on the 200-day.  A convincing breach raises the odds of a test of support at 1450s.  This … Continued