US households have built up massive equity in their homes, but homeowners are not rushing to tap into equity. Rising rates are probably to blame. The situation is unlikely to get better in quarters to come, as the Fed keeps … Continued
With 2Q23 earnings season nearly over, S&P 500 companies are set to earn more than what was expected at the start of the quarter. This, however, is not so as relates to S&P 400 and 600 companies. Mid- and small-caps … Continued
Interest rates on both the short and long end have gone up meaningfully. The federal government sits on nearly $33 trillion in debt, and the budget deficit is on the rise even though the economy is growing. This only means … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of July 25, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 623.8k, down 5.8k. This week, the Federal Reserve raised the fed funds rate by 25 basis points, to a range of 525 basis points … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of July 18, 2023. 10-year note: Currently net short 629.6k, down 5.6k. The FOMC meets next week. Ahead of this, the fed funds rate was left unchanged in the June meeting, pausing for … Continued
The Russell 2000 continues to attract offers at 1900. Amidst this, a golden cross is near completion. Plus, a ratio between the Nasdaq 100 and the Russell 2000 is potentially nearing reversal, raising the odds that the latter begins to … Continued
NIPA profits are now down three quarters in a row. The downward momentum likely continues in an environment in which the fed funds rate has gone up by 500 basis points over 14 months. This will force the sell-side to … Continued
Small-cap bulls once again were forced to defend the lower bound of the 1700-1900 range in place since January last year. The Russell 2000 just does not respond to the optimistic growth forecasts in earnings for this year and particularly … Continued
It is an FOMC week this week. Fed funds futures expect the one-year tightening cycle to terminate with a 25-basis-point hike this time; by June, the Fed is already expected to ease, with 2023 ending at 3.68 percent and 2024 … Continued
Within a year, US interest rates have gone up a lot, with the fed funds rate having risen from zero-bound to north of 4.5 percent currently. In the futures market, traders expect the benchmark rates to peak between 550 basis … Continued