Commercial Selling Continues
Posted by James on February 20th, 2007

Volatility Index
VIX [ http://www.buythebottom.com/vix.html ]
Commercials were sellers of the VIX last week, meaning that volatility was probably not quite ready to make a dramatic re-entry into the marketplace. Subsequently, and to no great surprise, the VIX declined (today) to near record lows. However, there is continued evidence of commercial distribution in the stock market; so as soon as the VIX is setup to rally – will probably be a very good indication that a top in the markets is imminent.
Broad Markets
Russell 2000 [ http://www.buythebottom.com/rut.html ]
As the RUT broke out to new highs, commercials were selling into strength. This is a classical bearish COT setup in the making. A few more weeks of this sort of selling would setup this index to the downside, which would translate into the much awaited intermediate-term top for the stock-market.
S&P 500 [ http://www.buythebottom.com/spx.html ]
Commercial selling reemerged in this market as well, which is just another confirmation that commercials are sellers at these price-levels. Total net-commercial position fell to -52 667 contracts, a level not seen since July of 06.
NASDAQ 100 [ http://www.buythebottom.com/ndx.html ]
From the commercial perspective this market looks very bearish. But it is important to note that from the price-chart we are starting to receive a bearish tone as well. The NDX failed to move to new highs over the last week, lagging other major indexes. This is just one more sign of commercial distribution and the formation of an intermediate-term top in the markets.
Dow Jones [ http://www.buythebottom.com/indu.html ]
And finally, the Dow is setup for a decline as net-commercial position is hitting record lows (aka. selling) while net-large-trader position is hitting record highs (aka. buying). Once more, a classical bearish setup from the COT charts.
The message from COT data in regards to the stock-market is unanimous; commercials are selling into strength as the market is making new highs. Anybody chasing these highs on the long side is only asking for trouble.
Commodities
Crude Oil [ http://www.buythebottom.com/wtic.html ]
The COT setup in crude is finally resolving. We saw commercials buy oil, as this market rallied from $52 to $60 per barrel. This sort of behavior is unusual for commercials and is considered very bullish. (Commercials tend to buy weakness and sell strength) Net-commercial position is right around 40,000 contracts, a level not seen since December 2005. Crude started off 2007 with a very volatile trading pattern, which was largely not forecasted by COT data. But then again, markets are markets, and this sort action is just a part of the game.
In conclusion, this market is setup to continue to rally, I see any weakness as a buying opportunity.
Gold [ http://www.buythebottom.com/gold.html ]
As gold moves to higher ground, commercials continue to sell. With this in mind, I would expect gold to stall; until we see a correction and/or consolidation during which time commercial buying reemerges.
Currencies
US Dollar [ http://www.buythebottom.com/usd.html ]
The dollar has been trading sideways for the last several weeks, and remains setup to the downside as evidenced by the COT chart. A breakdown from the current consolidation level is likely.
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February 20th, 2007 at 6:02 am
Other than a minor up-tick in oil, what *are* the commercials buying? …Or is the move most likely to cash?
February 20th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Commercials were buyers of oil since it topped in August, this buying campaign produced something much larger of an up-tick over the span of the last 6-months.
I am not sure if I am addressing the question correctly.
Let me know,
James.
February 20th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
According to Bloomberg, in December “NYSE margin debt reaches $285.6 billion,topping 2000 record”. Could that be telling us anything?
February 20th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Correction: The margin debt level cited above was reached last month, Jan ‘07.