Author: isabelnet

ISABELNET Cartoon of the Day For bears, the bull market is a recurring nightmare they can’t wake up from. For bulls, it’s just another day of ignoring risk and having a great time! Happy “Hump” Day, Everyone! 🐫🐪😎

YTD Equity Return vs. U.S. In 2025, the relative outperformance of international stocks compared to U.S. equities has underscored the benefits of diversification for investors so far. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

Median Stock Short Interest as Share of Market Capitalization While the S&P 500’s median short interest is currently low by historical standards, Consumer Staples, Utilities, and Health Care sectors are notable exceptions, showing elevated short interest compared to their 30-year historical averages. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

Hedge Fund and Mutual Fund Equity Exposure In a sign of optimism about the current economic climate, hedge funds and mutual funds have collectively increased their stakes in U.S. equities, which paints a picture of growing confidence in the U.S. stock market. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

Citi Economic Surprise Index The falling Citi U.S. Economic Surprise Index indicates that economic data is no longer surpassing expectations, but this doesn’t necessarily signal a sudden economic downturn. Image: Bloomberg

Annual Change in Gold Demand Central banks’ gold demand has grown by 11.5% annually since 2019, fueling the current price rally as they aim to diversify reserves. While gold excels as a crisis hedge, it hasn’t consistently delivered long-term alpha for investors. Image: J.P. Morgan Asset Management

S&P 500 Bull Markets The current bull market, which began in October 2022, is showing potential for continued growth at 28 months old. Historically, bull markets have lasted an average of 5.5 years since 1949, with an average gain of 191.6%. Image: Carson Investment Research

ISABELNET Cartoon of the Day As the S&P 500 stumbled last week, the bear emerged from hibernation, chainsaw in hand, ready to break the bull market. With a sly grin, it whispered to the bull, “Fully enjoy the bull market… while it lasts!” Have a Great Week, Everyone! 😎

Sentiment – 5-Day Put/Call Volume Ratio The 5-day moving average of the put/call volume ratio has hit its lowest point since late 2021’s bull market peak. Sustained low readings in this ratio often indicate market tops and excessive optimism. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation

Small-Caps: Upper End of Long-Term Range The combination of historical patterns, attractive valuations, and positive earnings growth forecasts suggests that U.S. small-caps may be well-positioned for a period of outperformance in the near future. Image: Fundstrat Global Advisors, LLC

Gold Consecutives Weekly Gains A perfect storm of factors—including inflation worries, robust central bank purchases, geopolitical uncertainties, and favorable monetary policies—has propelled gold prices upward for eight consecutive weeks. Image: The Daily Shot