The US Economy is humming along, as was evident in several data points this week. Small-caps, which have larger exposure to the domestic economy versus their larger-cap cousins, bounced off of months-long rectangle support. But they are well off their … Continued
Indices are beginning to diverge. Last week, large- and small-caps posted new highs, but tech struggled to put its act together. This is taking place at a time when sentiment is no longer as effusive as several weeks ago. If … Continued
Orders activity in manufacturing have snapped back with a V shape. But this recovery is not uniformly seen across the economy. Orders for non-defense capital goods ex-aircraft dropped y/y in March through June; in past recessions, the decline has been … 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
US stocks are on fire. The Russell 2000/IWM was essentially unchanged last week, with the index down 0.03 percent and the ETF up 0.06 percent. This followed nine weeks of persistent rally, during which they jumped 34 percent. Conditions are … Continued
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 – signed into law on December 22 last year – allows U.S. companies to repatriate the cash they have socked away overseas by paying 15.5 percent, rather than the previous 35 percent. … Continued
There are signs growth is decelerating, but from a healthy level. Data relating to orders and inventories do not yet seem to be a problem, but worth watching. Most of this week’s economic data offered more of a downside surprise … Continued
The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index is doing very well so far this year – up 22.4 percent. This compares with a rise of 10.3 percent for the Dow Industrials, 10.1 percent for the S&P 500 large cap index, and a … Continued
Peak optimism? We are increasingly beginning to hear commentators/observers use that phrase in media interviews, articles as well as on social media. Among other things, Charts 1 and 2 are probably to blame. In the latest week, Investors Intelligence bulls … Continued