As major US equity indices post record highs, margin debt is inching ever closer to its high from May 2018. In all probability, November will have made a new high in margin debt. Amidst all this risk-on behavior, it is … Continued
Company buybacks are having quite a bit of a dry spell. As corporate boards act thrifty this year, it has not had much impact on stocks. The buyback shortfall is being offset by bulled-up foreigners and investor willingness to take … Continued
September was a down month, but it turns out the selloff was used as an opportunity to buy. Use of leverage grew last month. This was then followed this month by improved price action in small-caps, which investors tend to … Continued
Tech bulls only benefited in a minor degree from a major squeeze of non-commercials in the futures market. Concurrently, several other buying sources are increasingly acting hesitant. In the week to last Tuesday, non-commercials in Nasdaq 100 index (mini) futures … Continued
Even as tech shorts have meaningfully increased their activity, Nasdaq 100 longs have tried to put foot down just under the 50-day. A takeout of the average can shift sentiment – duration notwithstanding. Tech bulls are trying hard to put … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of July 28, 2020. 10-year note: Currently net long 73.2k, up 44.1k. The 10-year treasury yield lost five basis points this week to 0.54 percent. Five-month support at 0.57 percent has been breached. … Continued
Between March and June, FINRA margin debt increased $105.4 billion, providing a nice tailwind for stocks. As a percent of disposable personal income, margin debt dropped to 2.8 percent in April, down from 4.3 percent in January 2018. Historically, peak-to-trough … Continued
Bulls just wasted a huge opportunity to squeeze non-commercial shorts in e-mini futures. This is coming at a time when the Fed’s balance sheet is no longer growing at a breakneck pace, which stocks cherished earlier. Longs probably wasted a … Continued
Margin debt rose in April. US stocks had a very good April. Yet, investors do not seem to be in a mood to aggressively add to leverage – the same way they are leaning more toward large-caps than small-caps. FINRA … Continued
On Monday, the Russell 2000 busted through 1250s. This has been an important price point going back five years. Despite lofty earnings expectations for both this year and next, this week’s action is a thumbs-up from markets. As long as … Continued