SPY Stuck Within Box Last 2 Weeks – Double Calendar Spread For Theta Capture

posted in: Credit, Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

SPY has broken out of late-January trend line, but acts lethargic, even as short-term technicals are in overbought territory.  Options can help. Since the bull market began in March 2009, time and again shorts have lent a helping hand to … Continued

US Dollar Index Rallies 5.6% in 5 Weeks – If Sustained, Can Impact Inflation, Exports, Economy, Earnings

posted in: Currency, Economy, Technicals | 0

The US dollar index has rallied strongly in the past five weeks.  This can potentially have consequences for US inflation, exports, economy, earnings and what not.  But was the rise enough for FOMC members to discuss in the March meeting? … Continued

On FOMC Decision Day, Inflation Front And Center – Crude Oil Worth Watching

posted in: Commodities, Economy, Technicals | 0

Recent inflation readings have firmed up, although remain subdued historically.  As have inflation expectations.  What happens with crude oil, which rallied big the past couple of years, is worth watching. Later today, the FOMC concludes its two-day meeting – the … Continued

After Decent Rally, US Equity Indices Rejected At Resistance – Path Of Least Resistance Down N/T

After rallies that lasted a little over two weeks, selling began on major US equity indices last week right at important resistance.  This likely continues near term. US capacity utilization in March rose 0.4 percent month-over-month and 3.3 percent year-over-year … Continued

S&P 500 Struggle To Lift Off Of 200DMA – Short Put For Premium/To Position For Earnings Bounce

Presently, the state of US trade deficit and how the Trump administration is attempting to address it is front and center. In February, the deficit came in at $57.6 billion, with the 12-month total of $589.6 billion, which was the … Continued

S&P 500 Loses 200DMA, But Barely; VIX In Non-Confirmation Mode

The S&P 500 large cap index is testing the lows of February, but VIX acts nowhere near as panicky.  This could be a tell for stocks near term. The ISM manufacturing index dropped 1.5 points month-over-month in March.  February’s 60.8 … Continued

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

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of March 20, 2018. 10-year note: Currently net short 313.3k, up 41.9k. Chairing his maiden meeting as Fed chief, Jerome Powell probably could not have asked for more insofar as markets’ reaction was … Continued

Fed Hikes Wednesday, But Several Key Assets Key Off Of Technicals

Wednesday, the FOMC met.  The fed funds rate went up another 25 basis points to between 1.5 percent and 1.75 percent.  One would think this would drive market action.  But looking at a diverse set of assets, technicals played a … Continued

Some Chinks In Tech’s Armor – XLK Credit Call Spread

Post-February 9 reversal, both the Nasdaq composite and the Nasdaq 100 index went on to surpass the late January highs.  Other indices such as the S&P 500 large cap index and the Dow Industrials could not match that feat.  The … Continued