S&P 500 Quarterly Margin

S&P 500 Quarterly Margin Growth in the high-margin tech sector, economies of scale, network effects, and supportive financial and regulatory environments—key structural shifts—have pushed the S&P 500’s profit margins to nearly a four-year high. Image:…

Returns for Major Global Financial Assets

Returns for Major Global Financial Assets The S&P 500 index rose 2.17% in July, which has historically been the best month in post-election years and over the past two decades. Image: Deutsche Bank

Market Implied Probability of a Fed Cut

Market Implied Probability of a Fed Cut The odds of a September Fed rate cut have soared—current market pricing now suggests a very high probability after deeply disappointing U.S. labor market data. Image: TS Lombard

Most Shorted Stocks Relative to Russell 3000

Most Shorted Stocks Relative to Russell 3000 Heavily shorted stocks generally underperform the broader market over the long term, but in 2025, they significantly outperformed, driven primarily by aggressive short covering. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset…

Recession – U.S. Real Retail Sales

Recession – U.S. Real Retail Sales U.S. real retail sales and consumer confidence trends indicate cautious and subdued consumer spending growth, which has historically been linked to an increased risk of recession. Image: Real Investment…

S&P 500 – Hedge Funds vs. Retail Investors

S&P 500 – Hedge Funds vs. Retail Investors The contrast between hedge funds taking short positions and retail investors being long is often seen as a warning of potential equity market weakness over the next…

Quarterly Capital Raised by SPACs

Quarterly Capital Raised by SPACs In the first half of 2025, Special Purpose Acquisition Companies raised $12 billion—a significant increase from the same period in 2024—though still considerably less than in the first half of…

S&P 500 Four-Year Cycle

S&P 500 Four-Year Cycle The behavior of the S&P 500—peaking in early August with a softer year-end rally—is a typical post-election year trend observed historically in U.S. presidential election cycles. Image: Ned Davis Research