S&P 500 buybacks hit a new high in the 12 months to September. Buybacks, along with earnings and margin debt, have been key pillars of support in this bull market. Failure to live up to expectations by even one variable … Continued
Last week was yet another week in which equity bears were unable to convert potentially bearish signals into opportunities. Bulls have now rallied the S&P 500 within striking distance of the high from two weeks ago and are sitting pretty … Continued
Large-caps broke out to new highs last week. Concurrently, Nasdaq/NYSE short interest – just below their respective highs – remains elevated; equity bulls can take advantage of this should they succeed in engineering a squeeze. Buybacks in this regard have … Continued
The S&P 500 is up north of 27 percent year-to-date – the second consecutive year of gains of north of 20 percent. Buybacks and margin debt are cooperating, but several other measures are pointing to extended conditions. With 10 sessions … Continued
The S&P 500 continues to break out to new – and newer – highs. Buybacks have provided a sustained tailwind, although interesting dynamics are in play for next year. Yet another week, yet another record and yet another breakout! Last … Continued
January saw margin debt only inch up, even as the S&P 500 rallied 1.6 percent. This divergence, should it continue in the months ahead, could end up helping equity bears more than the bulls. The S&P 500 opened 2024 with … Continued
September-quarter buybacks by S&P 500 companies were decent, but the four-quarter total is on a decelerating trend. These companies will probably get an opportunity to buy their shares at a cheaper price next quarter. Investor sentiment is too complacent and … Continued
Near-term, equity bulls may just have wasted an opportunity to put their foot down. Mid- to long-term, both margin debt and share buybacks are no longer a potent tailwind as they once were. FINRA margin debt dropped 2.9 percent month-over-month … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of September 12, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 744.3k, down 47.2k. The FOMC meets next week. This is the sixth scheduled meeting this year, and two more remain – one each in … Continued
Buybacks acted as a massive tailwind leading up to and as the S&P 500 peaked in January last year. Spending has come down quite a bit and is increasingly turning into a headwind. Share buybacks by S&P 500 companies are … Continued