S&P 500 and CFTC CME E-mini S&P 500 Asset Manager Institutional Net Total/Futures The net long position held by institutional asset managers on E-mini S&P 500 futures has been rising, with the potential to reach the peak positioning level observed in early 2020. Image: BofA Global Research
Nasdaq Composite Weekly Chart with 40-Week and 200-Week MAs The Nasdaq may potentially reach 18,700 and 22,400, given the possibility of a catch-up trade within a secular bull market presidential cycle. Image: BofA Global Research
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield – Weekly Chart The outlook for the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield suggests a declining trend in the fourth quarter of 2024 and into the first quarter of 2025. Image: BofA Technical Research
S&P 500 Short Interest The low average short interest level of the S&P 500 indicates that market participants are generally optimistic or not strongly bearish about the future performance of the S&P 500. Image: J.P. Morgan
U.S. Share Buybacks and Dividends Over the past 20 years, U.S. corporates have clearly favored buybacks over dividends, reflecting a shift towards prioritizing shareholder value through capital appreciation rather than regular income distributions. Image: BofA Global Research
U.S. Growth Fund Flows Record inflows into U.S. growth funds reflect the increasing investor confidence in the potential for strong returns from companies positioned for expansion and innovation in the American market. Image: BofA Global Investment Strategy
Probability of U.S. Recession within a Year Based on the tight spread between the S&P 500 and BBB-rated corporate bonds, the risk of a recession in the United States within one year appears low. Image: J.P. Morgan
S&P 500 Share Buybacks $7.6 trillion of S&P 500 share buybacks over the last 10 years. While buybacks can benefit shareholders, critics argue that funds could have been better spent on research, development, and employee wages. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Implied Probabilities for the U.S. Presidential Election The prediction markets are suggesting a high probability of a Republican sweep in the upcoming 2024 U.S. elections, with potentially far-reaching implications for the political landscape. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
U.S. Wages vs. U.S. Inflation Americans are facing real pay cuts due to high inflation, which has been rising faster than wages over the past couple of years. This has significantly eroded the real wages of most American workers. Image: Real Investment Advice
Average Year for the S&P 500 the Fourth Year of a New President Historically, the fourth year of a new President’s term tends to see the S&P 500 perform best from mid-May to late September, with a notable rally often occurring during this period. Image: Carson Investment Research