Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*A Market With Little Discipline: Too many market participants have very little discipline, and to make matters worse, central banks have been all too happy to remove the moral hazard involved with excessive risk taking. This has resulted in the creation of a giant vortex of liquidity which could be as large as USD 1 quadrillion;*Broken Credit Ratings Agency Model: In our view, the credit ratings agency model is permanently broken as waterfall risks in various rated pools and tranches have become increasingly significant with the markets unable to self-regulate and regulators either unable to regulate (or told not to regulate);  and*SEC Far From Being Aggressive With Enforcement: In reality, the fines paid by Kroll/DBRS are not even a drop in the bucket compared with the USD 1.5 bn and USD 864 mn fines paid by S&amp;P (MH) and Moody's (MCO.US), respectively, to settle similar charges associated with the GFC. Whether this reflects more of a lower level of violations or a much less aggressive SEC regulator can be debated. It will be interesting to see is whether these investigations are expanded to include 2018-19 deals which appear to have even greater conflicts - particularly under Biden administration.

*A Market With Little Discipline: Too many market participants have very little discipline, and to make matters worse, central banks have been all too happy to remove the moral hazard involved with excessive risk taking. This has resulted in the creation of a giant vortex of liquidity which could be as large as USD 1 quadrillion;*Broken Credit Ratings Agency Model: In our view, the credit ratings agency model is permanently broken as waterfall risks in various rated pools and tranches have become increasingly significant with the markets unable to self-regulate and regulators either unable to regulate (or told not to regulate);  and*SEC Far From Being Aggressive With Enforcement: In reality, the fines paid by Kroll/DBRS are not even a drop in the bucket compared with the USD 1.5 bn and USD 864 mn fines paid by S&amp;P (MH) and Moody's (MCO.US), respectively, to settle similar charges associated with the GFC. Whether this reflects more of a lower level of violations or a much less aggressive SEC regulator can be debated. It will be interesting to see is whether these investigations are expanded to include 2018-19 deals which appear to have even greater conflicts - particularly under Biden administration. 

Managing Director

Elan Gore

TMI Data Science

TMI Data Science utilizes Natural Language Processing to build custom leading indicators using unstructured data sourced from the global financial, trade & traditional media.  Our proprietary software, TMI Machine, is a text-mining platform designed with the buy-side & capital markets professional in mind, text-mining the global media to discern and quantify nuanced qualitative shifts in press coverage as they apply to macroeconomics, equity indexes/ETFs, commodities, currencies, fixed income & individual equities.  TMI provides custom leading indicators and systematic trading strategies, operating at the nexus of linguistics & statistics drawing on vast experience in investment banking and hedge fund settings in senior quantitative and fundamental roles.  

TMI Data Science was founded by Elan Gore, an award-winning Senior Global Basic Materials Equity Analyst & China Economist with 15 years of experience in North American hedge funds & institutional managers; and Alessandro Porrino, Ph.D., an Algorithmic Trading Analyst and Programmer with 10 years of front-office experience ranging from complex FX option pricing to auto-hedging strategies at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Standard Chartered.  Mr. Gore holds an MBA in Finance from New York University Stern School of Business, and Mr. Porrino holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Brunel University London.

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Text-mining the global media, we find that improving relative and absolute sentiment on Nancy Pelosi has been leading markets given the importance of stimulus bill passage to the macro outlook</li>
<li>The "Peaceful Transition" or "Peaceful Transfer of Power" theme has been trending in the media, but to our surprise appears to be positively correlated with SPX, suggesting this risk is manifesting strictly in options markets for now</li>
<li>China cybersecurity threats, previously a strong driver of SPY/FXI relative performance, appear to have recently decoupled from equities in a manner which appears less friendly to Chinese equities, as the frequency of flare-ups is perceived to be structurally elevated</li>
</ul><div class="content-highlight">TMI Data Science utilizes Natural Language Processing to build custom leading indicators using unstructured data sourced from the global financial, trade &amp; traditional media. Our proprietary software text-mines the global media to discern and quantify nuanced qualitative shifts in press coverage as they apply to macroeconomics, equity indexes/ETFs, commodities, currencies, fixed income &amp; individual equities. </div>


Text-mining the global media, we find that improving relative and absolute sentiment on Nancy Pelosi has been leading markets given the importance of stimulus bill passage to the macro outlook
The "Peaceful Transition" or "Peaceful Transfer of Power" theme has been trending in the media, but to our surprise appears to be positively correlated with SPX, suggesting this risk is manifesting strictly in options markets for now
China cybersecurity threats, previously a strong driver of SPY/FXI relative performance, appear to have recently decoupled from equities in a manner which appears less friendly to Chinese equities, as the frequency of flare-ups is perceived to be structurally elevated
TMI Data Science utilizes Natural Language Processing to build custom leading indicators using unstructured data sourced from the global financial, trade &amp; traditional media. Our proprietary software text-mines the global media to discern and quantify nuanced qualitative shifts in press coverage as they apply to macroeconomics, equity indexes/ETFs, commodities, currencies, fixed income &amp; individual equities. 

TMI Thematics: Nancy Pelosi Sentiment Moving Markets, Climbing "Peaceful Transition" Wall of Worry

Chart based progressive global trading strategies, Chart Partners

Thomas Schroeder

Chart based progressive global trading strategies

Chart Partners

Chart Partners objective is to discover medium-term cycle turns and profit opportunities before they unfold, within structural trends while preserving capital with clear degrees of risk. We have real return ideas. 

Markets are dynamic and trading systems must reflect this. It is crucial to determine underlying correlations and lead-lag relationships within global markets and the impact on linked instruments. Our weekly Chartonics product gives you short-term trading strategies that can be applied within the medium and longer term macro trends that are mapped out in our strategy updates. 

Our methodology fuses global market variables and isolates drivers in trends. We specialize in FX, index trade in NY and Asia with a focus on Asian stocks. 

Technical Analysis

SPX was primed for a correction from just under 3,400 resistance with a short zone at 3,360-90 (below 3,400) as outlined in the update yesterday and the insight issued on September 29 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/spx-and-ndx-trade-levels" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43699" rel="noopener">SPX and NDX Trade Levels</a> . NDX has outperformed but did back off of key resistance at 11,566 (old highs and top of range). Today's fade below 11,500 sets up pressure to re test 10,900 pivot support.Trump testing positive is simply the catalyst for a cycle that is primed for a cycle down turn.Cycle timeline: Call for a peak within September 29 to October 1st, ahead of a decline cycle into October 19th if not shifting toward early November.Today is set for some fireworks once the US session opens. Watch pivot supports.

SPX was primed for a correction from just under 3,400 resistance with a short zone at 3,360-90 (below 3,400) as outlined in the update yesterday and the insight issued on September 29 SPX and NDX Trade Levels . NDX has outperformed but did back off of key resistance at 11,566 (old highs and top of range). Today's fade below 11,500 sets up pressure to re test 10,900 pivot support.Trump testing positive is simply the catalyst for a cycle that is primed for a cycle down turn.Cycle timeline: Call for a peak within September 29 to October 1st, ahead of a decline cycle into October 19th if not shifting toward early November.Today is set for some fireworks once the US session opens. Watch pivot supports.

SPX Downside Support Today on Trump Test and into Mid October Down Cycle Bet

Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

The presidential debates are usually totems of democracy's best features--as two (occasionally three) candidates lay out their arguments cordially before a national audience. The first debate of the Fall 2020 campaign was anything but a talismanic symbol of American democracy, doing little to change voters' minds. But it greatly heightened the risks of a chaotic November in the US, possibly the most chaotic post-election scenario since 1860-61. The first inter-party presidential debate of the 2020 election cycle was an ugly tie: there was no clear winner in an incoherent and undignified brawl that hardly aired any of the election's key issues. Trump's abrasive style likely strengthened the degree of support from his base. Biden's uneven performance (a few good lines, drowned in bouts of incoherence) did not enhance his appeal to the wider electorate, but he held his own (thus refuting Trump's suggestions that he is senile), and made no significant gaffes (apart from one false claim about the US-China trade deficit, and a brief defense of the Green New Deal, which he was soon obliged to repudiate). President Trump appeared intent on questioning the legitimacy of the election process -- particularly mail-in ballots. Asked by moderator Chris Wallace (from the conservative Fox News channel) to reassure voters of the integrity of the voting process, Biden complied--and made a strong, direct pitch to voters to go out and vote. Trump said the voting process is "a disaster", a "fraud and a shame". When asked if each candidate would wait until a result/outcome had been certified before declaring victory, and would tell his supporters to stay calm in the intervening period, Trump declined to do so--especially if it was "a fraudulent process".At this stage, President Trump appears to have decided he will lose the election, and is hence preparing his supporters to question the legitimacy of the election -- a dangerous and unprecedented situation that has not occurred in any election since the 19th century.  November 2020 was already looking like a terrible month for the US, but it has just become much more dangerous, as the sitting president has begun questioning the legitimacy of the entire electoral process. In the 1860 election, the refusal of many states to accept the outcome (a victory for Lincoln) led to a Civil War, as southern states unhappy with the outcome chose to secede. November 2020 will not necessarily signal a Civil War, but is likely to result in an ugly and chaotic month or two in US politics -- uncertainty that will be very negative for global equities and risk assets. The US dollar is likely to gain strength this quarter, as will gold prices.

The presidential debates are usually totems of democracy's best features--as two (occasionally three) candidates lay out their arguments cordially before a national audience. The first debate of the Fall 2020 campaign was anything but a talismanic symbol of American democracy, doing little to change voters' minds. But it greatly heightened the risks of a chaotic November in the US, possibly the most chaotic post-election scenario since 1860-61. The first inter-party presidential debate of the 2020 election cycle was an ugly tie: there was no clear winner in an incoherent and undignified brawl that hardly aired any of the election's key issues. Trump's abrasive style likely strengthened the degree of support from his base. Biden's uneven performance (a few good lines, drowned in bouts of incoherence) did not enhance his appeal to the wider electorate, but he held his own (thus refuting Trump's suggestions that he is senile), and made no significant gaffes (apart from one false claim about the US-China trade deficit, and a brief defense of the Green New Deal, which he was soon obliged to repudiate). President Trump appeared intent on questioning the legitimacy of the election process -- particularly mail-in ballots. Asked by moderator Chris Wallace (from the conservative Fox News channel) to reassure voters of the integrity of the voting process, Biden complied--and made a strong, direct pitch to voters to go out and vote. Trump said the voting process is "a disaster", a "fraud and a shame". When asked if each candidate would wait until a result/outcome had been certified before declaring victory, and would tell his supporters to stay calm in the intervening period, Trump declined to do so--especially if it was "a fraudulent process".At this stage, President Trump appears to have decided he will lose the election, and is hence preparing his supporters to question the legitimacy of the election -- a dangerous and unprecedented situation that has not occurred in any election since the 19th century.  November 2020 was already looking like a terrible month for the US, but it has just become much more dangerous, as the sitting president has begun questioning the legitimacy of the entire electoral process. In the 1860 election, the refusal of many states to accept the outcome (a victory for Lincoln) led to a Civil War, as southern states unhappy with the outcome chose to secede. November 2020 will not necessarily signal a Civil War, but is likely to result in an ugly and chaotic month or two in US politics -- uncertainty that will be very negative for global equities and risk assets. The US dollar is likely to gain strength this quarter, as will gold prices.  

Ugly, Disorderly Debate Raises the Spectre of 1824, if Not 1860

Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

mportant price support levels previously highlighted have held strong, including the 3200-3230 level on the S&amp;P 500, 10,855 on the Nasdaq 100, and $145/the 200-day MA on the Russell 2000 (IWM). Additionally, both the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 are breaking out from their bullish falling wedge patterns that have been taking shape since the early-September highs. These bullish inflections are encouraging and, combined with market dynamics which remain mostly healthy, lead us to believe the lows of this recent correction are likely in.  In today’s report we highlight attractive Groups and stocks within Consumer Discretionary &amp; Technology: Casinos &amp; Gaming, Small-Cap, Solar Energy, Fuel Cells/Lithium Batteries, and Software, Customer Relationship Mgt.

mportant price support levels previously highlighted have held strong, including the 3200-3230 level on the S&amp;P 500, 10,855 on the Nasdaq 100, and $145/the 200-day MA on the Russell 2000 (IWM). Additionally, both the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 are breaking out from their bullish falling wedge patterns that have been taking shape since the early-September highs. These bullish inflections are encouraging and, combined with market dynamics which remain mostly healthy, lead us to believe the lows of this recent correction are likely in.  In today’s report we highlight attractive Groups and stocks within Consumer Discretionary &amp; Technology: Casinos &amp; Gaming, Small-Cap, Solar Energy, Fuel Cells/Lithium Batteries, and Software, Customer Relationship Mgt.

United States

The S&P 500® is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities and serves as the foundation for a wide range of investment products. The index includes 500 leading companies and captures approximately 80% coverage of available market capitalization.

S&P 500 INDEX (SPX INDEX)

Ratings Agencies – Beyond Repair

*A Market With Little Discipline: Too many market participants have very little discipline, and to make matters worse, central banks have been all...

Thomas J. Monaco

TMI Thematics: Nancy Pelosi Sentiment Moving Markets, Climbing "Peaceful Transition" Wall of Worry

Text-mining the global media, we find

Elan Gore

SPX Downside Support Today on Trump Test and into Mid October Down Cycle Bet

SPX was primed for a correction from just under 3,400 resistance with a short zone at 3,360-90 (below 3,400). NDX has outperformed but did back off...

Thomas Schroeder

Ugly, Disorderly Debate Raises the Spectre of 1824, if Not 1860

The first president

Prasenjit K. Basu

U.S. Equity Strategy: Correction Over?

In today’s report we highlight attractive Groups and stocks within Consumer Discretionary & Technology: CD-24 Casinos & Gaming, Small-Cap,...

Vermilion Research