Having raised the fed funds rate by 525 basis points over 14 months, the Fed is under pressure to stop, but is not willing to commit to that. The culprits are sticky core inflation and financial conditions that are easing. … Continued
Both large- and small-caps failed at crucial resistance last week. Investor focus shifted toward fundamentals that could wobble in the months and quarters ahead. The upward move in equities since last October’s low was a technical move, unwinding the oversold … Continued
The FOMC dot plot yesterday surprised many with expectations of two more 25-basis-point hikes by December. Futures traders are only betting on one hike in July. Several times over the last several months, they have been forced to readjust; odds … Continued
After many attempts, the Russell 2000 won back 1800 last week. But it is too soon to declare a trend change. A bigger hurdle lies at 1900. The Fed is as determined as ever to cool inflation and hurt the … Continued
Tech is radiating this year and small-caps are in slumber. A ratio between the Nasdaq 100 and the Russell 2000 is nearing a March 2000 record high. A failure here can begin a process of unwinding the overbought condition the … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of May 23, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 771.6k, up 79.2k. It took them a while, but futures traders have at long last stopped wasting money expecting an improbable outcome. Until last … Continued
The two-day FOMC meeting ends today. Unlike calls from some major brokers not to raise, the policy-setting body in all probability will hike by 25 basis points to a range of 475 basis points to 500 basis points. More importantly, … Continued
Within a year, US interest rates have gone up a lot, with the fed funds rate having risen from zero-bound to north of 4.5 percent currently. In the futures market, traders expect the benchmark rates to peak between 550 basis … Continued
Last Thursday, bulls used initial weakness in major equity indices owed to 4Q22 productivity report as an opportunity to buy. Friday, they bought more. More gains are likely ahead. Fed funds futures are very volatile. Traders are actively reacting real … Continued
Small-caps are lagging. With a large domestic exposure, these companies offer a reliable way to take a pulse of the economy. Rates have gone up a lot and will rise even more. A recession is imminent next year. Large-caps’ recent … Continued