The Nasdaq 100 is itching to break out, even as the Russell 2000 is on the verge of a breakdown. Small-caps have a larger exposure to the domestic economy and hence could be sending a message. Optimistic sell-side estimates for … Continued
With two sessions to go, November is on the verge of flashing a yellow flag on both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100. These indices of late have diverged with deteriorating consumer sentiment. In a seasonally favorable period, some key … Continued
On a 12-month basis, the US budget deficit may have peaked, but at the same time the Fed is also getting ready to taper. In the past, the 10-year peaked mid-way through QE. From this perspective, the March high of … Continued
Small-cap earnings are coming in better than expected. The economy continues to churn out strong numbers. But small-caps, which by nature have larger domestic exposure, continue to trade within a five-month range. Near term, potential lower volatility can help bulls … Continued
S&P 500 earnings are beating consensus estimates by a wide margin. Stocks, which had rallied massively into the season, are only trudging higher. Near term, they are likely to struggle to find positive catalysts. The 50-day, which is merely 2.5 … Continued
Last week, the S&P 500 as well as the Nasdaq 100 started out strong but finished poorly. The Russell 2000, on the other hand, stayed strong, closing near the week’s high. Before one interprets this as markets’ way of telling … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of September 29, 2020. 10-year note: Currently net long 128.6k, up 46.4k. FOMC minutes for the September 15-16 meeting are due out Wednesday. Rates at that meeting were obviously left unchanged between zero … Continued
The recovery in the economy from recent lows has been uneven. In equities, the S&P 500 (large cap) rallied to a new high last Friday, while the Russell 2000 (small cap) was rejected at a crucial resistance. Amidst this, several … Continued
Economic data are coming in mixed after recent lows. In the aggregate, there is no V as far as the economy is concerned. In contrast, the S&P 500 completed a perfect V, which came about over six months. As things … Continued
Orders activity in manufacturing have snapped back with a V shape. But this recovery is not uniformly seen across the economy. Orders for non-defense capital goods ex-aircraft dropped y/y in March through June; in past recessions, the decline has been … Continued