Longs Waste Opportunity To Squeeze Shorts

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

Russell 2000 Joins S&P 500 And Nasdaq 100 In Retracing Fib Golden Ratio – Sideways To Down Path Of Least Resistance

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

The S&P 500 as well as the Nasdaq 100 stalled at 61.8 percent Fibonacci retracement of their February-March decline, before rallying past the golden ratio.  The Russell 2000 achieved that feat last week and immediately came under pressure.  If it … Continued

Russell 2000 Back Below 1250s; Shorts, Who Have Been Adding, Will Have Strengthened Odds Should 1170s Give Way

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

Two weeks after breaking out of 1250s, the Russell 2000 (1233) is back below it.  IWM shorts never bought into the breakout.  They were probably driven more by the sharp deterioration in small-business profit trend.  Longs will be on the … Continued

Fundamental Issues Aside, Russel 2000 Breaks Out – As Long As Price Stays Above 1250s, Bulls Deserve Benefit Of Doubt

posted in: Credit, Equities, Technicals | 0

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

7 Weeks After 1600-plus Breakout, Russell 2K Trying To Force Another Breakout

posted in: Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

Once again, small-caps are at a crucial juncture.  The Russell 2000 slightly retreated three weeks ago after rallying hard post-1600+ breakout.  Wednesday, bulls rallied past that high, but barely.  A convincing takeout of this level brings the index one step … Continued

Small-Cap Bulls Hope Last Week’s Breakout Precedes Stability In Both Macro And Earnings

Small-caps broke out last week.  This comes amidst earnings deceleration and softening in several macro data.  If things turn up as they did in early 2016, bulls would have been vindicated.  Their conviction level will be put to test by … Continued

Small-Caps Led Large-Caps Last Week, Bulls Hope This Continues In Risk-On Sign, Should Stocks Come Under Pressure Near Term

Amid continued signs of macro deceleration, next year’s estimates for small-caps continue higher.  The Russell 2000 index, however, is not quite buying this optimism.  Last week, it led its large-cap peers, but remains under crucial resistance.  Should small-caps come under … Continued