Author Archive: Jeremy Parkinson
Technically Speaking: Early Warning Signs In COT Positioning
This past weekend, I discussed the surge in market exuberance in terms of both individual and professional investors. Of course, such surges in exuberance is generally indicative of the “capitulation phase” as the last of the “holdouts” finally jump back into a market which “can seemingly never go down.” But therein lies the danger. It worth noting that despite the “hope” of more fiscal […]
Oil Price Rise
WTI crude prices pulled back from a critical technical level after coming within a couple of ticks of the 6258-high hit in May of 2015. Back then oil topped before a collapse in price as three bearish factors caused oil to fall. The first was worries about the future of the European Union. Fears that […]
NFIB Small Business Survey: A Record 2017
The latest issue of the NFIB Small Business Economic Trends came out this morning. The headline number for December came in at 104.9, down 2.6 from the previous month. The index is at the 96th percentile in this series. Today’s number came in below the Investing.com forecast of 108.4. Here is an excerpt from the opening summary of the […]
The Difference Between A Bitcoin And A Tulip
Over the festive season, the conversation in my household inevitably turned to the phenomenal rise – and fall – in the US dollar price (exchange rate) for Bitcoin during December (Figure 1). The roller-coaster ride of the blockchain-based currency has been front-page news for the mainstream media, where it has been both likened to and disassociated from the boom-and-bust of the infamous 1637 […]
WTI December Trend Lines Form The POC Zone
The WTI is currently getting close to its December trend lines, and it might be either make it or break it. The POC zone ( Weekly camarilla pivot, D L4, 78.6) is sitting precisely between W H1 and W L1 levels, minor camarillas that usually provide a breakout direction on the instrument. 61.50-70 is the […]
Consumer Credit: Largest Gain In 16 Years And Well Ahead Of Expectations
Economic data coming out of the United States continue to show a robust consumer-led expansion. The latest consumer credit report for November 2017 showed the largest monthly gain since November 2001, with outstanding consumer credit rising by $27.95 billion. Expectations were for $19 billion. On the back of strong economic news, interest rates have been […]
Brexit Tax Threat To Small Firms
In another unforeseen Brexit risk to UK businesses which will hit small to medium companies disproportionately hard, it has emerged that after the UK leaves the EU, VAT (Value Added Tax) will need to be paid upfront in accordance with new, UK legislation being prepared. Under the Customs Bill, which has its second reading this […]
The Outlook For Europe And Unfinished Business
Audio Length: 00:54:08 Last week’s “Behind the Markets” podcast focused on Europe. The first segment of the discussion was with Frederik Ducrozet, senior economist for Pictet Wealth Management, which was followed by a segment with Tamim Bayoumi, deputy director in the Strategy, Policy and Review Department of the International Monetary Fund and author of a […]
EURUSD: Weakens, Remains Under Pressure
EURUSD continues to decline extending its corrective pullback on Tuesday. On the upside, resistance comes in at 1.2000 level with a cut through here opening the door for more upside towards the 1.2050 level. Further up, resistance lies at the 1.2100 level where a break will expose the 1.2150 level. Conversely, support lies at the […]
3M (MMM): A Dividend King With A Wide Moat
While fast-growing momentum stocks might get the headlines, some of the best long-term investments are often far less exciting dividend growth stalwarts such as 3M (MMM). This industrial powerhouse has made countless investors amazingly wealthy over the years (12.9% total returns vs 9.1% for the S&P 500 over the last 22 years) thanks to its disciplined and […]
