Chair Yellen’s valuation concerns apt, as SPX operating earnings have probably peaked

posted in: Equities | 0

Chair Yellen brings up issue of “elevated” P/E and P/S ratios In 1996 and 2014, markets ignored Fed chiefs’ valuation warnings Tight R between SPX and operating earnings, which probably peaked in 3Q14 One of the nuggets in Federal Reserve … Continued

FOMC may signal rate-hike plans pushed back

posted in: Commodities, Credit, Currency, Economy | 0

As FOMC meets, markets will be looking for clues on rate-hike timing Consensus, which had been betting on mid-year hike, vacillating of late Lower-than-expected inflation, strong dollar excuses for Fed not to move The Federal Open Market Committee begins its … Continued

Financials diverge from 10-2 spread, could offer shorting opportunity next month

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities | 0

Despite escape-velocity meme, yield curve continues to tighten Message of belly/long end of curve to short-end: be careful what you ask for Financials diverge from 10-2 spread, perhaps setting up as shorting opportunity next month One of the contrarian themes … Continued

Even as 10-year attracts bids, non-commercials’ net shorts at four-year high

posted in: Credit, Derivatives, Economy | 0

10-year notes yielding lower vs when Nov’s blockbuster jobs report came out Large speculators’ net shorts in 10-year-note futures at four-plus-year high Bond vigilantes not buying hopes and prayers of escape-velocity backers Treasury bonds continue to catch a bid.  A … Continued

Bulls retake baton, as RUT eyes golden cross

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

After impressive two-day advance, Russell 2000 on verge of bullish golden cross Potential unwinding of VIX surge of early this week to act as tailwind for stocks In the end, rally nothing but gift for patient bears to short from … Continued

Recent gold action waves caution flag

posted in: Technicals, Uncategorized | 0

Gold fails to generate enough buying interest near important support levels Despite oodles of central-bank printing, inflation remains a no-show 1,180 next line of sand, which is not too far away; must-hold Remember the chart below?  This was from Monday … Continued

Fed in a bind, odds of rate rise next year slim to none

posted in: Economy | 0

Market expectations for rate hike next year runs risk of disappointment With monetary quiver nearly empty, Fed very much focused on wealth effect Job even more difficult, given adverse effects of cheap money beginning to loom Markets are sending mixed … Continued

VIX spike-buy signal in the making near-term?

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Sellers take advantage of early-morning strength to sell more stocks Amidst this, transports, high-yields draw buyers; panic noticed in VIX:VXV action Trade could be developing, but given developments in energy space, sustained rally not probable Another ugly day!  Could have … Continued

Duel between year-end seasonality (+ve) and QE end (-ve)

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities | 0

Economy was probably not reason why QE2/3 got launched, stock sell-off was One month after QE1/2 ended, stocks began to act sick, prompting Fed into action Year-end rally may or may not happen; impending sell-off to test Fed’s pain threshold … Continued