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
The dichotomy between large- and small-caps continues – the former at 14-month high and the latter stuck in an 18-month range. That said, the S&P 500 has reached a potentially crucial resistance. Buybacks have been providing a nice tailwind. Margin … Continued
A new high was established in S&P 500 buybacks in 1Q. Unlike most of the time in the past, shares were bought at lower prices as the S&P 500 sold off during the quarter. In the four quarters to March, … Continued
Record buybacks are acting as a big tailwind, offsetting headwinds coming from foreigners and margin debt. Investor sentiment is suppressed enough it can act as a tailwind. S&P 500 buybacks set a new record in 4Q21. The companies spent $270.1 … Continued
The S&P 500 on Monday broke out of an eight-week congestion, and can rally further if technicals had their way. Buybacks and margin debt are front and center. In the past three years in particular, their tailwinds have been bigger, … Continued
As S&P 500 earnings staged massive recovery from post-pandemic lows, buybacks are back in fashion. Thus far in 4Q, the index is already up north of nine percent, pricing in a lot of seasonality optimism. As things stand, the index … Continued