The dichotomy between large- and small-caps continues – the former at 14-month high and the latter stuck in an 18-month range. That said, the S&P 500 has reached a potentially crucial resistance. Buybacks have been providing a nice tailwind. Margin … Continued
The S&P 500 is up nearly 21 percent from last October’s low. Yet, US-based equity funds continue to bleed, and margin debt is lower from October through April. If equity bulls cannot mend the situation soon, non-commercials, with most net … Continued
Two important data points came out last week and both are acting as headwinds. Margin debt and foreigners’ buying behavior are likely to continue to maintain the current trajectory medium- to long-term. Near-term, technical indicators are oversold, with the S&P … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 12, 2022. 10-year note: Currently net short 299.9k, down 62.9k. That the 10-year treasury yield has gone parabolic in recent weeks is no exaggeration. As recently as March 1, rates tagged … Continued
The rise in supply of new homes is coming amidst relatively soft sales, inflated prices and now rising mortgage rates. Concurrently, builder sentiment is off its high but remains elevated, even as ITB is below potentially crucial $66. Sales of … Continued
Record buybacks are acting as a big tailwind, offsetting headwinds coming from foreigners and margin debt. Investor sentiment is suppressed enough it can act as a tailwind. S&P 500 buybacks set a new record in 4Q21. The companies spent $270.1 … Continued
The S&P 500 on Monday broke out of an eight-week congestion, and can rally further if technicals had their way. Buybacks and margin debt are front and center. In the past three years in particular, their tailwinds have been bigger, … Continued
The S&P 500 keeps rallying to new highs, breaking down historical relationships with several metrics. It is possible the Fed’s expanding balance sheet is causing all this divergence. If it is, then the central bank will stop expanding its asset … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of October 19, 2021. 10-year note: Currently net short 544, up 156.6k. In the 12 months to August, foreigners purchased $3.8 billion in treasury notes and bonds. As recently as February this year, … Continued
Major US equity indices all had a positive week last week, but with a varying degree of success. The S&P 500 broke out of dual resistance with bullish marubozu on Thursday and Friday, the Russell 2000 was denied at crucial … Continued