Markets Looking For Hints Yellen Put Alive And Well

posted in: Credit, Economy | 0

Later today, markets will learn if, when it comes to the so-called Fed put, it is game as usual or winds of change are beginning to blow. The Fed put refers to a practice of reducing interest rates to deal … Continued

S&P 500 Saves Must-Hold Support, VIX Flashes Spike-Reversal

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities, Technicals | 0

Today is one of the most anticipated FOMC meetings in a long time, if not ever. Markets expect a hike.  The Fed has convinced them of that.  Fed funds futures are pricing in a 83-percent chance of a hike.  The … Continued

CoT: Peek Into Future Through Futures

The following are futures positions of non-commercials as of December 1, 2015.  Change is week-over-week. 10-year note: Will it or wouldn’t it?  Will the Fed switch into a tightening mode in the face of U.S. manufacturing just entering contraction? In … Continued

EEM Looks Ripe For Buy-Write

posted in: Derivatives, Equities, Technicals | 0

After a three-month 17-percent drop, EEM, the iShares Emerging Markets ETF, looks ripe for an options trade. On May 22, 2013, Ben Bernanke, then-Fed chair, suggested that the Fed would begin tapering back nearly $70 billion in monthly purchases of … Continued

U.S. personal interest income on decline; more seniors than ever staying in workforce

posted in: Economy, Equities | 0

Ratio of personal interest income to payments declines for three years now Persistent rise in number of 65 years and over who are employed Suppressed rates past six years no good news for seniors In his inaugural blog post on Tuesday, … Continued

Peek into future through futures

The following are futures positions of non-commercials as of March 17, 2015.  Change is week-over-week. 10-year note: What a week!  In four out of the five sessions, the 10-year yield fell – down 18 basis points for the week.  On … Continued

In age of personal branding, difficult to decipher if message is real or has ulterior motive

posted in: Commodities, Economy, Uncategorized | 0

Shortly after noon on Saturday, a Zero Hedge tweet caught my attention.  It was entitled “‘From Bubble-Blower To Energy Expert, Alan Greenspan warns ‘Oil Hasn’t Bottomed Yet.’”  Apparently he was on Bloomberg with Betty Liu, and in the interview talked … Continued

Fed in a bind, odds of rate rise next year slim to none

posted in: Economy | 0

Market expectations for rate hike next year runs risk of disappointment With monetary quiver nearly empty, Fed very much focused on wealth effect Job even more difficult, given adverse effects of cheap money beginning to loom Markets are sending mixed … Continued

Duel between year-end seasonality (+ve) and QE end (-ve)

posted in: Credit, Economy, Equities | 0

Economy was probably not reason why QE2/3 got launched, stock sell-off was One month after QE1/2 ended, stocks began to act sick, prompting Fed into action Year-end rally may or may not happen; impending sell-off to test Fed’s pain threshold … Continued

Why are markets failing to rally on dovish Fed message?

posted in: Credit, Currency, Economy, Equities | 0

Fed has openly discussed benefits of wealth effect; now adds another tool – talking down dollar Six years into recovery post-crisis, U.S. economy yet to witness escape velocity Dovish FOMC message fails to ignite sustained rally in US equities These … Continued