Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Change in strategy by the Chinese authorities mean this is more than a trade</li>
<li>Sentiment, valuations and positioning are still supportive despite the rally</li>
<li>Overbought conditions in the very short-term and the technical picture is mixed </li>
</ul>


Change in strategy by the Chinese authorities mean this is more than a trade
Sentiment, valuations and positioning are still supportive despite the rally
Overbought conditions in the very short-term and the technical picture is mixed 


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.

Technical Analysis

Nasdaq-100 Stock Index / Technical Analysis

<ul>
<li>$SPX remains below 5783, the upper-end of important target/resistance area we've discussed for a month+ (5670-5783). 5670 was prior all-time high set in July, while 5783 is 2% above 5670.</li>
<li>It's hard to call it a "decisive" breakout if SPX isn't even 2% above its prior high.  In 2007, SPX made a top after climbing 1-2% above its prior high.</li>
<li>The 2007 topping analog has tracked the current market almost perfectly, with similar backdrops to today including new Fed cutting cycle, recession indicators going off, yield curve un-inverting, defensives outperforming</li>
</ul>


$SPX remains below 5783, the upper-end of important target/resistance area we've discussed for a month+ (5670-5783). 5670 was prior all-time high set in July, while 5783 is 2% above 5670.
It's hard to call it a "decisive" breakout if SPX isn't even 2% above its prior high.  In 2007, SPX made a top after climbing 1-2% above its prior high.
The 2007 topping analog has tracked the current market almost perfectly, with similar backdrops to today including new Fed cutting cycle, recession indicators going off, yield curve un-inverting, defensives outperforming


Still No Decisive Breakout as SPX Tests 5783 Resistance; Ideal Time to Shift to Defensives

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

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>Core PCE inflation was 2.7%YoY in Aug'24, too high to allow another 50bp cut in Nov'24, despite the fourth consecutive MoM (annualized) gain in core PCE of less than 2%.</li>
<li>The Jul'23-Feb'24 acceleration in base money (10.2%YoY in Feb'24) contributed crucially to the Jan-Apr'24 spike in core PCE. Slower base money, and steadily accelerating M2, made things better since May'24. </li>
<li>Mild, steady acceleration in M2 (i.e., small rate cuts every 6 weeks) should allow core inflation to keep receding. Faster rate cuts are possible once inflation is genuinely at 2%YoY. </li>
</ul>


Core PCE inflation was 2.7%YoY in Aug'24, too high to allow another 50bp cut in Nov'24, despite the fourth consecutive MoM (annualized) gain in core PCE of less than 2%.
The Jul'23-Feb'24 acceleration in base money (10.2%YoY in Feb'24) contributed crucially to the Jan-Apr'24 spike in core PCE. Slower base money, and steadily accelerating M2, made things better since May'24. 
Mild, steady acceleration in M2 (i.e., small rate cuts every 6 weeks) should allow core inflation to keep receding. Faster rate cuts are possible once inflation is genuinely at 2%YoY. 


US: Benign Core PCE Provides Smooth Passage to Small, Steady Rate Cuts

<ul>
<li>The S&amp;P 500 (SPX) is approaching 5783, which is the upper-end of an important target/resistance area we have discussed for over a month (5670-5783).</li>
<li>2007 SPX topping analog has tracked the current market almost perfectly, suggests a 2% or less move above the prior all-time high set in July at 5670 before topping (i.e.,5783)</li>
<li>SPX is "breaking out" which is bullish, but time and time again we have seen bull/bear traps (false breakouts/breakdowns) at major turning points. Bull trap confirmed on break below 5670</li>
</ul>


The S&amp;P 500 (SPX) is approaching 5783, which is the upper-end of an important target/resistance area we have discussed for over a month (5670-5783).
2007 SPX topping analog has tracked the current market almost perfectly, suggests a 2% or less move above the prior all-time high set in July at 5670 before topping (i.e.,5783)
SPX is "breaking out" which is bullish, but time and time again we have seen bull/bear traps (false breakouts/breakdowns) at major turning points. Bull trap confirmed on break below 5670


SPX Bull Trap Setting Up?; Neutral Outlook Intact; Keeping an Open Mind. Buys in Gold Miners

<ul>
<li>The FOMC cut its Fed Funds rate by 50bp, acknowledging that enough progress has occurred toward reaching the 2% target for core PCE inflation, while the labor market has cooled.</li>
<li>We were right on inflation and direction of rates since 2021 (so have differed with the Fed). Now, we agree that two more 25bp rate cuts will occur in 2024. </li>
<li>Core PCE inflation will be slow to moderate further, so allowing only another 50bp of cuts by end-2024. The FF rate should end 2025 at 3.5%, as RGDP grows 2.5%. </li>
</ul>


The FOMC cut its Fed Funds rate by 50bp, acknowledging that enough progress has occurred toward reaching the 2% target for core PCE inflation, while the labor market has cooled.
We were right on inflation and direction of rates since 2021 (so have differed with the Fed). Now, we agree that two more 25bp rate cuts will occur in 2024. 
Core PCE inflation will be slow to moderate further, so allowing only another 50bp of cuts by end-2024. The FF rate should end 2025 at 3.5%, as RGDP grows 2.5%. 


US: FOMC's 50bp Cut Should Avert Recession But Keep Inflation Elevated

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)

Examining the Bear Case for China

Chinese authorities shift strategy , and while sentiment and valuations support the rally, in short-term there are overbought conditions and a...

Rikki Malik

Still No Decisive Breakout as SPX Tests 5783 Resistance; Ideal Time to Shift to Defensives

Still No Decisive Breakout as $SPX Tests 5783 Resistance; On watch for SPX bull trap/failed breakout, confirmed only on a break below 5670. 2007...

Vermilion Research

US: Benign Core PCE Provides Smooth Passage to Small, Steady Rate Cuts

Core PCE inflation at 2.7%YoY in Aug'24 is too high for another 50bp cut. A Goldilocks economy needs Goldilocks monetary easing: not too hot, not...

Prasenjit K. Basu

SPX Bull Trap Setting Up?; Neutral Outlook Intact; Keeping an Open Mind. Buys in Gold Miners

$SPX Bull Trap Setting Up?; Neutral Outlook Intact as long as no weekly close > 5783; Keeping an Open Mind considering high yield spreads and MOVE...

Vermilion Research

US: FOMC's 50bp Cut Should Avert Recession But Keep Inflation Elevated

FOMC cuts rates by 50bp, predicts two more 25bp cuts in 2024 due to progress on inflation but cooling labor market. We expect FF rate to end 2025...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Examining the Bear Case for China

​Chinese authorities shift strategy , and while sentiment and valuations support the rally, in short-term there are overbought conditions and a...

Rikki Malik

Still No Decisive Breakout as SPX Tests 5783 Resistance; Ideal Time to Shift to Defensives

Still No Decisive Breakout as $SPX Tests 5783 Resistance; On watch for SPX bull trap/failed breakout, confirmed only on a break below 5670. 2007...

Vermilion Research

US: Benign Core PCE Provides Smooth Passage to Small, Steady Rate Cuts

​Core PCE inflation at 2.7%YoY in Aug'24 is too high for another 50bp cut. A Goldilocks economy needs Goldilocks monetary easing: not too hot, not...

Prasenjit K. Basu

SPX Bull Trap Setting Up?; Neutral Outlook Intact; Keeping an Open Mind. Buys in Gold Miners

$SPX Bull Trap Setting Up?; Neutral Outlook Intact as long as no weekly close > 5783; Keeping an Open Mind considering high yield spreads and MOVE...

Vermilion Research

US: FOMC's 50bp Cut Should Avert Recession But Keep Inflation Elevated

​FOMC cuts rates by 50bp, predicts two more 25bp cuts in 2024 due to progress on inflation but cooling labor market. We expect FF rate to end 2025...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chinese authorities shift strategy , and while sentiment and valuations support the rally, in short-term there are overbought conditions and a...

Core PCE inflation at 2.7%YoY in Aug'24 is too high for another 50bp cut. A Goldilocks economy needs Goldilocks monetary easing: not too hot, not...

FOMC cuts rates by 50bp, predicts two more 25bp cuts in 2024 due to progress on inflation but cooling labor market. We expect FF rate to end 2025...