The S&P 500 is on course for a third straight up quarter, with a touch of ‘parabolic’ to it. Buybacks and margin debt have provided a tailwind, although the latter in particular points to a lack of aggressive willingness to … Continued
Equity bears came up short last week, unable to take benefit of an opportunity to put the bulls on the defensive. Momentum remains with the bulls. With the S&P 500 having already rallied 28 percent from last October’s low, several … Continued
Leading up to the 4Q22 earnings reporting season, the sell-side continues to wax enthusiastic about this year’s earnings prospects. The enthusiasm looks improbable considering the meaningful rise in interest rates last year is all set to filter through to the … Continued
Corporate bond issuance is on pace to decline 14.3 percent this year. This comes at a time when corporations have been aggressively buying back shares. With six months in, US corporate bond issuance remains soft. In June, corporations issued $73.2 … Continued
The FOMC meets this week. Stocks are adjusting to an increasingly hawkish Fed, which is belatedly alarmed by the persistently rising inflation. At some point, the long end of the treasury yield curve is likely to cry uncle, putting earnings … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of September 28, 2021. 10-year note: Currently net long 181.2k, up 120k. In February last year, the 10-year treasury yield breached mid-1.40s, before tumbling to bottom at 0.4 percent in the following month. … Continued
Corporate bond issuance was strong in the first half. High-yield, in particular, is on course for yet another record year. The Fed essentially provided a backstop to corporate bonds in March last year, setting ablaze risk-on sentiment. Corporate profits are … Continued
Buybacks made a comeback in 1Q21. Nonetheless, they are no longer as strong a tailwind for equities as they were in 2018 and 2019. Margin debt and foreigners continue to support stocks, and will pose problems once they turn. S&P … Continued
With investor sentiment elevated and help from the Fed, margin debt and foreigners, major US equity indexes remain near highs. Bulls are positioning for a Santa rally, followed by the onset of 4Q earnings season in the first half next … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of September 15, 2020. 10-year note: Currently net long 14.8k, up 5.3k. The Fed Wednesday said rates will stay zero-bound through the end of 2023. The fed funds rate in March was lowered … Continued