Volatility bulls have not been able to sustain rallies. Amidst this, non-commercials have been quietly reducing net shorts in VIX futures. If the past is any guide, VIX does not peak until these traders go net long or get close. … Continued
VIX is on the verge of a breakdown. After sustaining over 20 for a year, it risks losing that level in the sessions ahead. A decisive breach opens the door toward mid- to high-teens near term. This will have taken … Continued
With one session to go this week, VIX shot up in the cash market. In futures, non-commercials are still heavily net short the volatility index. In the past, the cash has tended to peak only when these traders are either … Continued
Markets have been in dichotomy, with large-caps leading and small-caps lagging. Bulls were hoping the former would pull the latter along. But risks are rising things will evolve the opposite way. It is early, but subtle signs of fatigue are … Continued
With momentum on their side, equity bulls hope metrics such as money-market funds, margin debt and even foreign buying of US stocks begin to cooperate better. In this scenario, volatility, already suppressed, is vulnerable to another leg lower. Non-commercials are … Continued
US Manufacturing has contracted for three months now. Markets are not a least bit bothered. They are hoping the Fed’s three rate cuts this year would boost a decelerating economy. In the futures market, non-commercials are betting with record net … Continued
The S&P 500 is itching to make a new high. The Nasdaq 100 achieved that feat last Friday. Lowered earnings estimates for the third quarter went a long way, among others. Bulls have momentum right now. Medium- to long-term, massive … Continued
Inventory burn likely weighs on growth in future quarters, casting doubt on the sell-side’s expectations for a pick-up in earnings growth momentum as the year progresses. This is a medium- to long-term issue. Near term, recapturing of 1600 on the … Continued
At first glance, major U.S. equity indices are at/near all-time highs, with suppressed volatility. Amid this tranquility, the cost of protection is on the rise, and hedge funds’ net shorts in VIX futures are taking an increasing share of open … Continued