CBOE Gold Volatility Index Gold has been getting jumpy lately, with volatility back to levels we haven’t seen since the COVID market chaos. The metal doesn’t panic easily, but when it does, there’s usually a good reason. Image: The Daily Shot
S&P 500 Returns – First Five Days >1% and a Positive January Combo History favors the bulls: when the S&P 500 rises more than 1% in the first five days and January closes in the green, the market has finished the year higher 92% of the time, with a median 19.1% gain since 1950. Image:…
S&P 500 – Short Interest on the SPY and QQQ U.S. ETFs Signs of complacency? Short positions in the SPY and QQQ U.S. ETFs remain thin, signaling little appetite for downside speculation and damping the potential for a short squeeze. Image: J.P. Morgan
S&P 500 and Liquidity Liquidity stays abundant. But since 2022, dip-buyers have stopped tracking liquidity and started trading on Fed whispers, reading signals more than balance sheets. Image: Real Investment Advice
S&P 500 Index Returns Based on If January Is Higher or Lower Bulls have reason to smile: a positive January often sets the tone for a bullish year. When the S&P 500 finishes the month higher, history shows full-year gains averaging 16.9% since 1950. Image: Carson Investment Research
U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) A steady U.S. dollar holding its range might be just what traders and markets need. But let it slip below 90 with conviction, and sentiment can turn quickly: what once looked like a healthy pause starts to look like a dollar problem. Image: MarketDesk Research
S&P 500 Buybacks vs. S&P 500 Composite 12-Month Trailing EPS Corporate buybacks and earnings growth have risen hand in hand. Much of that growth, though, reflects companies lifting their own share prices. With valuations stretched, investors should ask what they’re really paying for. Image: Real Investment Advice
S&P 500 – Seasonality During Bull vs. Bear Markets (Midterm Election Years Only) Bull markets don’t offer immunity. U.S. midterm election years tend to bring choppier trading and elevated volatility for the S&P 500 until late in the year. Image: Topdown Charts
S&P 500 and Liquidity Index Improving liquidity is setting a friendlier tone for U.S. equities, helped by the Fed’s shift in balance sheet policy. The biggest shake-up could come once Trump’s new Fed chief runs the show. Image: TS Lombard
Foreign Investors Equity Allocation Percentile vs. History In 2025, foreign investors substantially increased their holdings of U.S. equities, reaching record levels despite stretched valuations, a weakening dollar and better returns abroad. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
FINRA Debit Balance in Securities Margin Accounts Leverage in margin accounts has surged since April 2025, reflecting strong market optimism. The catch is that higher leverage can turn painful fast when volatility spikes, triggering forced liquidations that weigh on the broader market. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research