Saturday, September 28, 2024

What is Everyone Afraid Of?

Some strength was expected early in the week due to the VST ST Composite sentiment, and it was delivered in spades with a surprise announcement of a large economic stimulus package by China on Tue and reinforced with additional measures Thur.  China buys more from Europe, esp Germany, than from the US and the DAX was up 6% while the SPX could only manage a 1% gain before giving back about half by the close.  The NDX continues to lag while the DJIA is making new highs following 2000 analog outlined a couple of weeks ago.  The NDX did fill a gap at 20250 from mid-July before retreating back toward the 20k level.

Trader Joe this weekend shows an expanding wedge formation which targets the DJIA 43K+ before a 10%+ drop to about 38k.  This looks a lot like the setup starting to appear in the hedgespread and ST/INT Composite (hedgespread + call FOMO) which we saw before the surprise BOJ rate hike that triggered the yen carry trade selloff early Aug.  With the ST Composite and VIX call indicator still positive the timing may be a few weeks away and seems to line up with the election.  Perhaps a surprise loss by Trump disappoints those looking for lower taxes.  However, it appears unlikely that it would be the final hurrah with overall sentiment where it is today.

I. Sentiment Indicators

The INT/LT Composite indicator (outlook 3 to 6+ months) has three separate components. Starting Aug 26, 2023 SPX options are removed due to extreme 0DTE volume distortions. New weights are ETF put-call indicator (30%), SPX 2X ETF INT ratio (40%), and 3rd a volatility indicator (30%) which combines the options volatility spread of the ST SPX (VIX) to the ST VIX (VVIX) with the UVXY $ volume.

Update Alt, INT view. Bearish sentiment continued to drop below the weak Sell.

Update Alt EMA. Bearish sentiment remains near a weak Sell. The ST Composite as a ST (1-4 week) indicator includes the NYSE volume ratio indicator (NYDNV/NYUPV & NYDNV/NYDEC) and the UVXY $ Vol/[SPX Trend, SMA only]. Weights are 80%/20%.

Update. Bearish sentiment - intraday weakness increased sentiment back above neutral.

Update EMA. Bearish sentiment remains above neutral.
The ST VIX calls and SPXADP indicator bearish sentiment increased to above the weak Sell as VIX call buying increased on down days.
The ST/INT Composite indicator (outlook 1 to 3 months) is based on the Hedge Spread (48%) and includes ST Composite (12%) and three options FOMO indicators using SPX (12%), ETF (12%), and Equity (12%) calls compared to the NY ADV/DEC issues (inverted). FOMO is shown when strong call volume is combined with strong NY ADV/DEC. See Investment Diary addition for full discussion.

Update EMA. Bearish sentiment moved toward a strong Sell with lower hedging and stronger FOMO.

Bonds (TNX)Bearish sentiment remains near low extremes. For the INT outlook, the gold miners (HUI) bearish sentiment is presented in a new format using the data mining software to add the inverse TNX rate to the ETF ratio.

Update. Bearish sentiment remains near a strong Buy.



II. Dumb Money/Smart Money Indicators

This is a new hybrid option/ETF Dumb Money/Smart Money Indicator as a INT/LT term (outlook 2-6 mns) bearish sentiment indicator. The use of ETFs increases the duration (term).

Update. Bearish sentiment declined further below neutral.

With the sister options Hedge Spread as a ST/INT indicator (outlook 1-3 mns), bearish sentiment fell sharply below a weak Sell and may be heading to the Nov 2021 levels with an increasing risk of a pickup in volatility. A new composite SPX options indicator uses both the volume adj (1/B-A) and P/C equivalent spread (A-B) to compensate for the discrepancy between the two.  This replaces the old SPX options indicator for the SPX ETFs + options below and the INT/LT composite. No chart.

For the SPX, I am switching to hybrid 2X ETFs plus SPX options. Taking a look at the INT term composite (outlook 2 to 4 mns), bearish sentiment remains above neutral.

For the NDX combining the hybrid ETF options plus NDX 3X ETF sentiment with the interest rate effect,  (outlook 2 to 4 mns) bearish sentiment shows similar extremes between ETF and options as in late 2020 which resulted in a choppy market until options sentiment rose.  Note QQQ options are optimal, but are N/A and are included in ETF options.

Bearish sentiment for NDX - a sharp drop in ETF P/Cs has sent this indicator back to a strong Sell.

For the SPX combining the hybrid ETF options plus SPX 2X ETF (outlook 2 to 4 mns) produces an indicator where, in this case, ETF options are a proxy for the SPY options.

Bearish sentiment for SPX also declined sharply beyond a weak Sell.



III. Options Open Interest

Using Thur closing OI, remember that further out time frames are more likely to change over time, and that closing prices are more likely to be effected. Delta hedging may occur as reinforcement, negative when put support is broken or positive when call resistance is exceeded.  This week I will look out thru Oct 4. A text overlay is used for extreme OI to improve readability, P/C is not changed. A new addition is added for OI $ amounts with breakeven pts (BE) where call & put $ amounts cross.

With Fri close at SPX 5738 (+35), options OI for Mon is large with strong call resistance at 5750 and moderate resistance lower toward the 5700 level.
Wed has small OI where SPX has put support at 5675 and 5700 and call resistance above 5720.
For Fri jobs report SPX has moderate OI with overlapping put/call positions between 5650 and 5750.  Likely range 5700 +/- 25.
For Oct EOM there seems to be a lot of optimism for SPX 5800+.


IV. Technical / Other

The following uses barcharts.com as a source and discusses S&P futures (ES) as a third venue of stock sentiment in addition to options and ETFs.  The non-commercial/commercial spread represents a LT bearish sentiment (dumb money/smart money) indicator. As explained in investopedia, commercial investors (red) are institutions and are smart money, while non-commercials (green) are speculators such as hedge funds and are dumb money. Here is the current  barchart graph for the S&P 500 (top) and trader positions (1st bot) with positives as net longs and negatives as net shorts.  Bearish sentiment is represented by the spread and is positive if red > green (Buy) and negative if green > red (Sell).  ES (SPX) sentiment is neutral at +.0 SD, NQ (NDX) is a weak Sell at -1.5 SD, YM (DJIA) is at a weak Sell -1.0 SD. Note updates are Tue, so may be out of date.

Click dropdown list to select from the following options:

Tech / Other History
2024

2023

2022

Other Indicators

Conclusions.  For most of the last two years I have been expecting an important top in the SPX in late 2024, possibly near the election, but some indicators , namely the SPX ETFs and P/Cs are still showing considerably more bearishness than what was seen prior to the early 2022 top.  What it will take for the SPX bears to give up is still unknown.  The overall ST outlook for a choppy market into the election remains in place, but the increasingly low hedging and high call FOMO are warning of the possibility of another "gray swan" event like the yen carry trade selloff early Aug.

Weekly Trade Alert.  SPX options OI is showing resistance at 5750 and support just below 5700, so some weakness is expected, likely in the 5675-5725 area.  Updates @mrktsignals.

Investment DiaryIndicator Primer, Tech/Other Refs,
 update 2021.07.xx  Data Mining Indicators - Update, Summer 2021,
 update 2020.02.07 Data Mining Indicators,
 update 2019.04.27 Stock Buybacks,
 update 2018.03.28 Dumb Money/Smart Money Indicators

Article Index 2019 by Topic, completed thru EOY 2020.02.04
Article Index 2018 by Topic
Article Index 2017 by Topic
Article Index 2016 by Topic

Long term forecasts

© 2024 SentimentSignals.blogspot.com

Saturday, September 21, 2024

A Pause is Likely Until the Election

Despite much of the recent economic data which indicated a slightly improving economy, the Fed decided to give traders what they wanted and cut the Fed funds rate by a full half pt on Wed.  However, following the knee jerk move higher to a new SPX high around 5690, a "sell the news" did follow down to 5620, but Thur gap open quickly pushed the SPX over the 5700, reaching a high just over 5730.  Over the past several int rate cycles, an initial rate cut of 0.50% has not been bullish for the next several years since it has indicated a deeper recesion ahead, but this time I am inclined to agree with Trump that this may be politically motivated as the establishment seems to be willing to do anything to prevent a second term by Trump.

A couple of the ST/INT indicators (VIX call indicator and hedge spread) dropped to a weak Sell last week which may indicate a choppy period ahead for late Sept-early Oct., but SPX options OI is indicating support starting around SPX 5650, so losses may be limited.  The SKEW (OTM put premiums) has been on a tear recently, reaching the 170 level which was last seen July 2021 or 6 mns before the Jan 2022 top.


I. Sentiment Indicators

The INT/LT Composite indicator (outlook 3 to 6+ months) has three separate components. Starting Aug 26, 2023 SPX options are removed due to extreme 0DTE volume distortions. New weights are ETF put-call indicator (30%), SPX 2X ETF INT ratio (40%), and 3rd a volatility indicator (30%) which combines the options volatility spread of the ST SPX (VIX) to the ST VIX (VVIX) with the UVXY $ volume.

Update Alt, INT view. Bearish sentiment dropped to the weak Sell level.

Update Alt EMA. Bearish sentiment dropped to the weak Sell level.

The ST Composite as a ST (1-4 week) indicator includes the NYSE volume ratio indicator (NYDNV/NYUPV & NYDNV/NYDEC) and the UVXY $ Vol/[SPX Trend, SMA only]. Weights are 80%/20%.

Update. Bearish sentiment dropped welll below neutral, but above a weak Sell.

Update EMA. Bearish sentiment VST (grn) rose back above neutral from a weak Sell early in the week and may support a couple of positive days.
The ST VIX calls and SPXADP indicator bearish sentiment dropped sharply to a weak Sell.
The ST/INT Composite indicator (outlook 1 to 3 months) is based on the Hedge Spread (48%) and includes ST Composite (12%) and three options FOMO indicators using SPX (12%), ETF (12%), and Equity (12%) calls compared to the NY ADV/DEC issues (inverted). FOMO is shown when strong call volume is combined with strong NY ADV/DEC. See Investment Diary addition for full discussion.

Update EMA. Bearish sentiment fell sharply mid-week with strong FOMO (call buying) pushing sentiment to a strong Sell before bouncing Fri.

Bonds (TNX)Bearish sentiment remains at extreme low levels. For the INT outlook, the gold miners (HUI) bearish sentiment is presented in a new format using the data mining software to add the inverse TNX rate to the ETF ratio.

Update. Bearish sentiment pulled back toward a strong Buy from more extreme levels.



II. Dumb Money/Smart Money Indicators

This is a new hybrid option/ETF Dumb Money/Smart Money Indicator as a INT/LT term (outlook 2-6 mns) bearish sentiment indicator. The use of ETFs increases the duration (term).

Update. Bearish sentiment remains below neutral.

With the sister options Hedge Spread as a ST/INT indicator (outlook 1-3 mns), bearish sentiment fell below neutral to a weak Sell, indicating a pickup in volatility is likely ahead. A new composite SPX options indicator uses both the volume adj (1/B-A) and P/C equivalent spread (A-B) to compensate for the discrepancy between the two.  This replaces the old SPX options indicator for the SPX ETFs + options below and the INT/LT composite. No chart.

For the SPX, I am switching to hybrid 2X ETFs plus SPX options. Taking a look at the INT term composite (outlook 2 to 4 mns), bearish sentiment remains near neutral.

For the NDX combining the hybrid ETF options plus NDX 3X ETF sentiment with the interest rate effect,  (outlook 2 to 4 mns) bearish sentiment shows similar extremes between ETF and options as in late 2020 which resulted in a choppy market until options sentiment rose.  Note QQQ options are optimal, but are N/A and are included in ETF options.

Bearish sentiment retreated to just below a weak Sell.

For the SPX combining the hybrid ETF options plus SPX 2X ETF (outlook 2 to 4 mns) produces an indicator where, in this case, ETF options are a proxy for the SPY options.

Bearish sentiment for SPX remains above a weak Sell.



III. Options Open Interest

Using Thur closing OI, remember that further out time frames are more likely to change over time, and that closing prices are more likely to be effected. Delta hedging may occur as reinforcement, negative when put support is broken or positive when call resistance is exceeded.  This week I will look out thru Sept 27 & EOM. A text overlay is used for extreme OI to improve readability, P/C is not changed. Also, this week includes a look at the GDX for Dec exp.   A new addition is added for OI $ amounts with breakeven pts (BE) where call & put $ amounts cross.

With Fri close at SPX 5703, options OI for Mon is small with call resistance at 5700 and over with some put support at 5650.
Wed SPX OI is very small but large call resistance at 5675 may cause weakness mid-week toward that level.
For Fri stronger SPX OI is generally negative toward 5650, but put positions at 5700 & 5750 may limit downside.
For Mon 30th EOM strong SPX OI is definitely more negative showing a strong bias toward 5650.
Using the GDX as a gold miner proxy closing at 40.5, positive delta hedging over 40 may keep prices around 41.

Currently the TLT is 98.8 with the TNX at 3.73%, and strong call resistance over 100 is likely to keep prices near current levels..


IV. Technical / Other

The following uses barcharts.com as a source and discusses S&P futures (ES) as a third venue of stock sentiment in addition to options and ETFs.  The non-commercial/commercial spread represents a LT bearish sentiment (dumb money/smart money) indicator. As explained in investopedia, commercial investors (red) are institutions and are smart money, while non-commercials (green) are speculators such as hedge funds and are dumb money. Here is the current  barchart graph for the S&P 500 (top) and trader positions (1st bot) with positives as net longs and negatives as net shorts.  Bearish sentiment is represented by the spread and is positive if red > green (Buy) and negative if green > red (Sell).  ES (SPX) sentiment is neutral at +.0 SD, NQ (NDX) is a weak Sell at -1.5 SD, YM (DJIA) is neutral -0.5 SD. Note updates are Tue, so may be out of date.

Click dropdown list to select from the following options:

Tech / Other History
2024

2023

2022

Other Indicators

Conclusions.  The Fed last week showed that they are willing to be accommodative as possible to avoid any last minute hiccups before the election.  Betting odds are now favoring Harris over Trump and one data analyst from Northwestern (no J/S) who correctly predicted the 2020 outcome thinks there could be a landslide.

Weekly Trade Alert.  The next several weeks prior to the election could be choppy with near term weakness into month-end early Oct to SPX mid, low 5600s..  Updates @mrktsignals.

Investment DiaryIndicator Primer, Tech/Other Refs,
 update 2021.07.xx  Data Mining Indicators - Update, Summer 2021,
 update 2020.02.07 Data Mining Indicators,
 update 2019.04.27 Stock Buybacks,
 update 2018.03.28 Dumb Money/Smart Money Indicators

Article Index 2019 by Topic, completed thru EOY 2020.02.04
Article Index 2018 by Topic
Article Index 2017 by Topic
Article Index 2016 by Topic

Long term forecasts

© 2024 SentimentSignals.blogspot.com

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Stronger than Expected Rebound into FOMC

Last week was expected to continue a positive bias into next weeks FOMC to the SPX mid-5500s .  However, after the recent lows around SPX 5400 were tested Wed AM on stronger than expected CPI and a weaker than expected Trump debate, stock markets surged on outlook for NVDA AI module demand.  For the week the SPX ended up over 200 pts to the 5620-30 area.

Last weeks rally moved the ST sentiment indicators (ST, ST/INT Composites, hedge spread) back to neutral so there may be a "sell the news" with the FOMC with only a 0.25% rate cut.


I. Sentiment Indicators

The INT/LT Composite indicator (outlook 3 to 6+ months) has three separate components. Starting Aug 26, 2023 SPX options are removed due to extreme 0DTE volume distortions. New weights are ETF put-call indicator (30%), SPX 2X ETF INT ratio (40%), and 3rd a volatility indicator (30%) which combines the options volatility spread of the ST SPX (VIX) to the ST VIX (VVIX) with the UVXY $ volume.

Update Alt, INT view. Bearish sentiment remains in a tight range below neutral.

Update Alt EMA. Bearish sentiment remains in a tight range below neutral. The ST Composite as a ST (1-4 week) indicator includes the NYSE volume ratio indicator (NYDNV/NYUPV & NYDNV/NYDEC) and the UVXY $ Vol/[SPX Trend, SMA only]. Weights are 80%/20%.

Update. Bearish sentiment continued to rise early in the week and remains above neutral.

Update EMA. Bearish sentiment retreated from a weak Buy to just above neutral.
The ST VIX calls and SPXADP indicator bearish sentiment moved from above neutral, to just below neutral.
The ST/INT Composite indicator (outlook 1 to 3 months) is based on the Hedge Spread (48%) and includes ST Composite (12%) and three options FOMO indicators using SPX (12%), ETF (12%), and Equity (12%) calls compared to the NY ADV/DEC issues (inverted). FOMO is shown when strong call volume is combined with strong NY ADV/DEC. See Investment Diary addition for full discussion.

Update EMA. Bearish sentiment reversed sharply from the weak Buy area back to a weak Sell.

Bonds (TNX)Bearish sentiment remains at low extremes. For the INT outlook, the gold miners (HUI) bearish sentiment is presented in a new format using the data mining software to add the inverse TNX rate to the ETF ratio.

Update. Bearish sentiment via ETFs increased sharply even as HUI pushed to new highs, indicating that more gains are likely.



II. Dumb Money/Smart Money Indicators

This is a new hybrid option/ETF Dumb Money/Smart Money Indicator as a INT/LT term (outlook 2-6 mns) bearish sentiment indicator. The use of ETFs increases the duration (term).

Update. Bearish sentiment decreased from above to below neutral.

With the sister options Hedge Spread as a ST/INT indicator (outlook 1-3 mns), bearish sentiment retreated back to neutral from a weak Buy. A new composite SPX options indicator uses both the volume adj (1/B-A) and P/C equivalent spread (A-B) to compensate for the discrepancy between the two.  This replaces the old SPX options indicator for the SPX ETFs + options below and the INT/LT composite. No chart.

For the SPX, I am switching to hybrid 2X ETFs plus SPX options. Taking a look at the INT term composite (outlook 2 to 4 mns), bearish sentiment retreated toward neutral.

For the NDX combining the hybrid ETF options plus NDX 3X ETF sentiment with the interest rate effect,  (outlook 2 to 4 mns) bearish sentiment shows similar extremes between ETF and options as in late 2020 which resulted in a choppy market until options sentiment rose.  Note QQQ options are optimal, but are N/A and are included in ETF options.

Bearish sentiment remains just above a weak Sell.

For the SPX combining the hybrid ETF options plus SPX 2X ETF (outlook 2 to 4 mns) produces an indicator where, in this case, ETF options are a proxy for the SPY options.

Bearish sentiment for SPX is little changed.



III. Options Open Interest

Using Thur closing OI, remember that further out time frames are more likely to change over time, and that closing prices are more likely to be effected. Delta hedging may occur as reinforcement, negative when put support is broken or positive when call resistance is exceeded.  This week I will look out thru Sept 20 & EOM. A text overlay is used for extreme OI to improve readability, P/C is not changed.  A new addition is added for OI $ amounts with breakeven pts (BE) where call & put $ amounts cross.

With Fri close at SPX 5626, options OI for Mon is small with a weak negative bias below 5630.
Wed has smaller OI where SPX has stronger call resistance at 5625 & 5635, extending down to 5600.  An FOMC disappointment (only .25% rate cut) could send prices to 5600 or lower.
For Fri AM strong SPX OI call bias ($ITM) could pressure prices toward 5550.
For Fri PM strong SPX OI call bias ($ITM) could pressure prices toward 5550.
For Mon EOM stronger OI put support at SPX 5550 should limit losses.

IV. Technical / Other

The following uses barcharts.com as a source and discusses S&P futures (ES) as a third venue of stock sentiment in addition to options and ETFs.  The non-commercial/commercial spread represents a LT bearish sentiment (dumb money/smart money) indicator. As explained in investopedia, commercial investors (red) are institutions and are smart money, while non-commercials (green) are speculators such as hedge funds and are dumb money. Here is the current  barchart graph for the S&P 500 (top) and trader positions (1st bot) with positives as net longs and negatives as net shorts.  Bearish sentiment is represented by the spread and is positive if red > green (Buy) and negative if green > red (Sell).   ES (SPX) sentiment is neutral at +.0 SD, NQ (NDX) is a weak Sell at -1.5 SD, YM (DJIA) is neutral -0.5 SD. Note updates are Tue, so may be out of date.

Click dropdown list to select from the following options:

Tech / Other History
2024

2023

2022

Other Indicators

Conclusions.  Last weeks iSPYETF discusses the last several months as a 4th wave and looks at a couple of high correlation periods in the past that may be taking a look at.

Weekly Trade Alert.  Sentiment appears to be setup for a "sell the news" FOMC outcome with only a 0.25% rate cut with a downside target of SPX 5550-5600.  Updates @mrktsignals.

Investment DiaryIndicator Primer, Tech/Other Refs,
 update 2021.07.xx  Data Mining Indicators - Update, Summer 2021,
 update 2020.02.07 Data Mining Indicators,
 update 2019.04.27 Stock Buybacks,
 update 2018.03.28 Dumb Money/Smart Money Indicators

Article Index 2019 by Topic, completed thru EOY 2020.02.04
Article Index 2018 by Topic
Article Index 2017 by Topic
Article Index 2016 by Topic

Long term forecasts

© 2024 SentimentSignals.blogspot.com