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 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
VIX this week broke two-month support, opening the door to a test of support at 11-12. Meanwhile, the volatility curve – in contango – is approaching a level that in the past coincided with a peak in stocks. With one … Continued
From trade disputes to declining corporate profits to yield-curve inversion, there is no shortage of issues for worrywarts to worry about. From recent highs, major US equity indices have dropped in the mid- to high-single digits. Medium term, more downside … Continued
Trump trade Tweet-induced selloff in the S&P 500 was bought hand over fist Monday, even as the spike in VIX was sold. Volume was anemic, so there is not much conviction in this – either when the S&P 500 was … Continued
Major equity indices are within striking distance of fresh highs. Bulls hope the low hurdle in 1Q19 earnings helps put volatility under more pressure. Trader reaction to earnings is key. Major US equity indices are a stone’s throw away from … Continued
Following futures positions of non-commercials are as of April 9, 2019. 10-year note: Currently net short 261.6k, up 37.3k. During the week, job openings painted a mixed picture. Non-farm job openings (JOLTS) for February dropped 538,000 month-over-month to 7.1 million. … Continued
For a change, the VIX-to-VXV ratio has managed to stay overbought longer than what has normally been the case. Signal or noise? We need more time before we have a definitive answer. If it is the signal, equity bulls in … Continued
What a week! Stocks really took it on the chin last week, but by Friday there was some semblance of stability. Several indicators are in deep oversold territory. At least a reflex rally is due. During the carnage over the … Continued