Tax-Cut Hopes Propelling Small-Caps — To Face Reality Test Ahead

Post-presidential election last November, U.S. small-caps sprung to life, going nearly parabolic in two separate spurts.  President Trump’s promises to cut taxes, prune regulations and increase infrastructure spending helped improve investor sentiment.  Small-caps inherently are domestically focused. The first rally … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Oct 10, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 192.6k, down 39.6k. Market participants constantly rerate expectations.  They have to.  The related variables are dynamic and constantly changing themselves. The nimble ones are … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Oct 3, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 232.2k, down 24.5k. December looks like a lock.  The odds in the futures market of a 25-basis-point hike in the 12-13th meeting that month … Continued

R2K Breaks Out – Breakout Retest Matter Of Time, And Will Test Rally’s Sustainability

There is a new-found spring in U.S. small-caps’ step.  What changed all of a sudden?  More importantly, are there ingredients in place for the rally to sustain itself? The Russell 2000 small cap index just broke out.  It has been … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Sep 26, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 256.6k, down 13.5k. The Treasury yield curve widened this week.  The spread between 10- and two-year notes went from 78 basis points on Monday … Continued

Gold At Crucial Spot – Heavily Net Long Non-Commercials Better Not Cash In Gains

After rallying 13-plus percent in a couple of months, gold has come under pressure the past couple of weeks.  Non-commercials may end up deciding what happens next. Once again, the yellow metal sits at a crucial juncture. On July 10, … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Sep 19, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 270.1k, up 18.4k. Americans’ love for leverage needs no elaboration.  The debt culture began in earnest in the early ’80s.  Leverage remains high – … Continued

Russell 2000 Yet To Make New High – Different Ball Game If Bulls Can Squeeze Non-Commercials

Small-caps have come alive in the past month, with the caveat that the Russell 2000 small cap index is still 1.4 percent from its all-time high of July.  The bulls’ best hope near term: squeeze non-commercials. Post-U.S. presidential election last … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Sep 12, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 251.7k, up 29.9k. The FOMC’s two-day meeting begins Tuesday.  A press conference by Janet Yellen, Fed chair, is scheduled for Wednesday.  After this, there … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of Sep 5, 2017. 10-year note: Currently net long 221.8k, down 61.9k. Last week, 2Q17 real GDP growth was revised higher to three percent – much better than the post-Great Recession average of … Continued