On The Back Of Fed Backstop, Investor Sentiment Ebullient; Bulls Risk Losing Momentum To Bears

posted in: Derivatives, Economy, Equities | 0

Major US equity indices continue their two-and-a-half-month momentum.  Short squeeze helped.  As did the Fed backstop.  On an FOMC day, Chair Powell’s body language is worth a listen.  For equity bulls, there is this thing called the law of gravity. … Continued

After Massive Rally Off March Lows And Options Waiving Caution Flag, Johnny-Come-Latelies Risk Holding The Bag

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Overbought on the daily timeframe, major US equity indices are right at, or near, the upper bound of the recent trading range.  Volume has dried up, and bulls are staying put, hoping for a breakout.  Should one come about, there … Continued

Bulls, Bears Remain Locked In Rangebound Action, Even As Options Signal Froth Building

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

Range-bound action continues on major US equity indices.  After defense of support last Thursday, they gapped up Mon to rally right into resistance.  No breakout yet.  This is taking place in the wake of massive rallies off of the March … Continued

CoT: Peek Into Future Through Futures, How Hedge Funds Are Positioned

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of May 12, 2020. 10-year note: Currently net short 151.5k, up 9.2k. On Wednesday, Jerome Powell, Fed chair, provided a gloomy view of the economy, saying the nation was experiencing an economic hit … 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

Tech Rally Propelled By Short Squeeze – For Now, Relief Awaits Bruised Shorts

posted in: Equities, Technicals | 0

Since March lows, large-caps led, and tech led the large-caps.  Short squeeze helped.  Amidst signs of distribution in the Nasdaq 100 the past several sessions, relief likely awaits bruised shorts near term. Shorts have gotten squeezed – for the most … Continued

Stocks Increasingly Pricing In V-Shaped Recovery – What If It Is W Or U or L?

Stocks have diverged from sharp deterioration in fundamentals.  At the lows, several indicators were at washout levels, resulting in the massive rally that followed.  But at this point in time, they may be responding more to the Fed’s monetary backstop … Continued

CoT: Peek Into Future Through Futures, How Hedge Funds Are Positioned

Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 28, 2020. 10-year note: Currently net short 49.4k, up 15.3k. In the week ended February 11th, non-commercials held 398,919 net shorts in 10-year note futures.  On the 12th that month, the … Continued

As Top Five Get Ready To Report This Week, Cap-Weighted Indices At Crucial Juncture

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

The top five stocks report this week.  They have rallied massively since March lows.  Investor reaction to their earnings will determine if major cap-weighted indices continue their five-week upward momentum or hit the wall. This week, the big five report.  … Continued