Major US equity indices are itching to break out. The question is, what then? Indices remain stretched on several timeframes. Longs have shown dogged determination but shorts are likely to decide if the momentum will have the staying power. Equity … Continued
Last week’s excellent earnings results from five of the top six US companies were unable to lift equities, which had rallied big into the reporting season. With major equity indices extended on several timeframes, weakness could be brewing. The Nasdaq … Continued
The energizer bunny marches on. The S&P 500 rallied to a fresh high last week. This time around, the otherwise-laggard Nasdaq 100 joined in, meekly breaking out to a new high. Next week, the top six tech outfits are set … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 13, 2021. 10-year note: Currently net short 2.7k, up 87.2k. Amid investor concerns that the market may get ahead of the Fed in terms of expectations for rate hikes and/or tapering … Continued
IWM short interest rose to a nine-month high at the end of March. This could potentially help the longs should they succeed in squeezing the shorts. The problem is (1) the Russell 2000 has had a massive rally in the … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of March 9, 2021. 10-year note: Currently net short 46.1k, down 49.5k. The FOMC meets next week. This is the year’s second meeting. Six more remain – the scheduled ones, that is. A … Continued
After a three-week, 12-percent decline, the Nasdaq 100 staged a hammer reversal last Friday. In the right circumstances, there is room to rally on the daily. This can act as a self-fulfilling prophecy should tech bulls force zealous shorts to … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of February 23, 2021. 10-year note: Currently net long 2.8k, down 100.6k. Bond vigilantes and central banks look ready for a duel. The former fired the opening salvo, with long rates rising meaningfully … Continued
The Russell 2000 continues to diverge with small-business profit trend. Having rallied the index 138 percent from the low of last March, bulls are salivating over this year’s consensus profit estimates. In the meantime, on the back foot for nearly … Continued
US corporations continue to aggressively issue debt in the bond market. Even amidst this supply, demand remains good. Both LQD and HYG are near their record highs. Besides the Fed essentially acting as a backstop, corporate boards are probably also … Continued