Bulls have opportunity to squeeze shorts near-term, can they deliver?

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

Shorts added to already-elevated positions on time to take advantage of latest decline in equities Indices in gross oversold conditions, giving bulls opportunity to try to squeeze shorts If shorts resist these pressures well, that signals rockier time ahead for … Continued

Probable spike-peak buy signal from VIX near-term

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

VIX action yesterday constructive for equity bulls Medium- to long-term, equities have much more to go on the downside Near-term picture beginning to change, as beaten-down junk bonds and small-caps attract bids The morning gap-down in U.S. equities yesterday was … Continued

IWM seeks to stabilize around support; probably tradeable short-term

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Large speculators in Russell 2000 futures showing aggression, net shorts highest since June 2011 IWM short interest gradually on decline since end-July, stock seems to find support at 110 Too early to say support will hold medium-term, but a trade … Continued

Small-cap shorts getting squeezed?

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

The answer to the question above is a probable yes. Twice since early March this year, small-caps have come under decent amount of pressure.  The first was a nine-week, 11-percent decline that began early March, followed by a nine-percent drop beginning … Continued

Odds of short squeeze next to nothing in foreseeable future

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities | 0

NYSE Composite short interest in the middle of August was essentially unchanged month-over-month at 14.8bn, while the Nasdaq Composite saw a 2.4-percent decrease at 8.6bn.  The adjacent chart and the one below show how short interest has been building up … Continued

As stocks sell off, NAAIM members essentially already all-in

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Yesterday was the first time since April the S&P 500 Index violated its 50-day moving average – both simple and exponential.  This was the first test since May, yet there was hardly any resistance from the bulls.  Sellers simply overwhelmed … Continued

Nasdaq vulnerable to weakness among overbought large-caps

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Enough ink has been spilled on how in recent months major indices – and sectors/industries within them – have been diverging from each other.  For two and a half months beginning late February/early March, previously risk-on favorites such as solar, … Continued

“Stability breeds instability”

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

Short interest continues to inch up.  By June-end, Nasdaq’s went up 0.6 percent period-over-period to 8.9bn – highest since end-September 2008 – and NYSE’s edged up 0.7 percent p/p to 14.6bn.  What is going on in the Naz in particular … Continued