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

<ul>
<li>DeepSeek appears to have turned the chatbot market upside-down, putting pressure on AI-linked stocks. The dust has yet to settle, but the selloff has been largely contained to AI-linked stocks.</li>
<li>The rest of the market did not seem to care; the equal-weighted S&amp;P 500 was roughly flat yesterday.</li>
<li>Additionally, market dynamics remain healthy. Bottom line: as long as the S&amp;P 500 remains above 5600-5670, our long-term outlook remains bullish.</li>
</ul>


DeepSeek appears to have turned the chatbot market upside-down, putting pressure on AI-linked stocks. The dust has yet to settle, but the selloff has been largely contained to AI-linked stocks.
The rest of the market did not seem to care; the equal-weighted S&amp;P 500 was roughly flat yesterday.
Additionally, market dynamics remain healthy. Bottom line: as long as the S&amp;P 500 remains above 5600-5670, our long-term outlook remains bullish.


S&P 500 Testing Prior Breakout Level; Market Dynamics Remain Healthy Despite AI-Linked Weakness

<ul>
<li>Rising DXY, Treasury yields, and now energy commodities breaking out (Bloomberg Commodity index $DJP and WTI crude oil) suggests upside is likely to be capped, but...</li>
<li>...we still continue to see many other risk-on signals. As a result, we view this pullback as a buying opportunity, with all the major indexes testing/holding at support</li>
<li>Looking for support on the S&amp;P 500 at 5850, the 100-day MA (currently 5820), 5765-5770, and 5600-5670. As long as the S&amp;P 500 remains above 5600-5670, our outlook remains bullish</li>
</ul>


Rising DXY, Treasury yields, and now energy commodities breaking out (Bloomberg Commodity index $DJP and WTI crude oil) suggests upside is likely to be capped, but...
...we still continue to see many other risk-on signals. As a result, we view this pullback as a buying opportunity, with all the major indexes testing/holding at support
Looking for support on the S&amp;P 500 at 5850, the 100-day MA (currently 5820), 5765-5770, and 5600-5670. As long as the S&amp;P 500 remains above 5600-5670, our outlook remains bullish


S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 Testing Bull Flag Supports; Bullish Breadth Divergences; Buy the Pullback

<ul>
<li>The Fed injected some volatility into the market after their December meeting, as they noted an uncertain inflation outlook and the SEP less expected rate cuts for 2025.</li>
<li>We discussed in our latest report (12/23/24 ETF Pathfinder), and continue to believe, that this is a buying opportunity.</li>
<li>Market dynamics remain risk-on, the SPX remains above 5850 (a key support level we have discussed since late-November), mid-caps (IJH) and small-caps (IWM) are above supports at $61.50 and $218</li>
</ul>


The Fed injected some volatility into the market after their December meeting, as they noted an uncertain inflation outlook and the SEP less expected rate cuts for 2025.
We discussed in our latest report (12/23/24 ETF Pathfinder), and continue to believe, that this is a buying opportunity.
Market dynamics remain risk-on, the SPX remains above 5850 (a key support level we have discussed since late-November), mid-caps (IJH) and small-caps (IWM) are above supports at $61.50 and $218


Semiconductors Re-Emerge as Leadership; $SPX $QQQ $IWM Outlook Remains Bullish

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>The Insight presents two <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-500-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22886:1" rel="noopener"><strong>S&amp;P 500 INDEX</strong> (SPX INDEX)</a> options strategies for 2025. Call overwriting can generate premium income and potentially enhance returns in a choppy but mildly positive market.</li>
<li>The second strategy is a Risk Reversal, using the proceeds from a short call to buy a protective put option, providing downside protection while still allowing for some upside potential.</li>
<li>Both strategies are designed to align with the expected market conditions, considering factors such as inflation, economic growth, and market volatility.</li>
</ul>


The Insight presents two S&amp;P 500 INDEX (SPX INDEX) options strategies for 2025. Call overwriting can generate premium income and potentially enhance returns in a choppy but mildly positive market.
The second strategy is a Risk Reversal, using the proceeds from a short call to buy a protective put option, providing downside protection while still allowing for some upside potential.
Both strategies are designed to align with the expected market conditions, considering factors such as inflation, economic growth, and market volatility.


EQD | S&P 500 (SPX Index) - An Options Strategy for 2025

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>A divided FOMC cut by 25bp as expected, but Powell signalled Dec'25 cut was far from a foregone conclusion; instead the FOMC was strongly committed to returning to 2% inflation. </li>
<li>US$88.8bn decline in base money (Mar-Aug'25) has held M2 and inflation in check. The end of QT from Dec'25 will be a form of easing, precluding rate cuts until Jan'26. </li>
<li>FOMC voting shows doves isolated, and Powell-led FOMC will stay hawkish until Jan'26, especially amid fogginess on inflation data. The next rate cut is unlikely until Mar'26. </li>
</ul>


A divided FOMC cut by 25bp as expected, but Powell signalled Dec'25 cut was far from a foregone conclusion; instead the FOMC was strongly committed to returning to 2% inflation. 
US$88.8bn decline in base money (Mar-Aug'25) has held M2 and inflation in check. The end of QT from Dec'25 will be a form of easing, precluding rate cuts until Jan'26. 
FOMC voting shows doves isolated, and Powell-led FOMC will stay hawkish until Jan'26, especially amid fogginess on inflation data. The next rate cut is unlikely until Mar'26. 


US: No More Rate Cuts Likely from the Powell Fed; More Dovish FOMC by Q2 2026

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)

S&P 500 Testing Prior Breakout Level; Market Dynamics Remain Healthy Despite AI-Linked Weakness

$SPX Testing Prior Breakout Level; Market Dynamics Remain Healthy Despite AI-Linked Weakness; $DXY, Treasury yields, and crude oil near-term tops...

Vermilion Research

S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 Testing Bull Flag Supports; Bullish Breadth Divergences; Buy the Pullback

$SPX and $QQQ $NDX Testing Bull Flag Supports; Bullish Breadth Divergences (SPX and $IWM % above 20-dma); All Major Indexes Above Key Supports $DJI...

Vermilion Research

Semiconductors Re-Emerge as Leadership; $SPX $QQQ $IWM Outlook Remains Bullish

Semiconductors Re-Emerge as Leadership $SMH $TSM $NVDA; $SPX $QQQ $IWM Outlook Remains Bullish Despite Recent Consolidation. Market Dynamics Remain...

Vermilion Research

EQD | S&P 500 (SPX Index) - An Options Strategy for 2025

S&P 500 options strategies for a choppy but mildly positive 2025. Call Overwriting for premium income and Risk Reversal for downside protection...

Gaudenz Schneider

US: No More Rate Cuts Likely from the Powell Fed; More Dovish FOMC by Q2 2026

FOMC cut by 25bp, but wants to bring inflation back to 2% target. No-QT amounts to easing, precluding rate cuts until Jan'26, with next cut...

Prasenjit K. Basu

S&P 500 Testing Prior Breakout Level; Market Dynamics Remain Healthy Despite AI-Linked Weakness

$SPX Testing Prior Breakout Level; Market Dynamics Remain Healthy Despite AI-Linked Weakness; $DXY, Treasury yields, and crude oil near-term tops...

Vermilion Research

S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 Testing Bull Flag Supports; Bullish Breadth Divergences; Buy the Pullback

$SPX and $QQQ $NDX Testing Bull Flag Supports; Bullish Breadth Divergences (SPX and $IWM % above 20-dma); All Major Indexes Above Key Supports $DJI...

Vermilion Research

Semiconductors Re-Emerge as Leadership; $SPX $QQQ $IWM Outlook Remains Bullish

Semiconductors Re-Emerge as Leadership $SMH $TSM $NVDA; $SPX $QQQ $IWM Outlook Remains Bullish Despite Recent Consolidation. Market Dynamics Remain...

Vermilion Research

EQD | S&P 500 (SPX Index) - An Options Strategy for 2025

S&P 500 options strategies for a choppy but mildly positive 2025. Call Overwriting for premium income and Risk Reversal for downside protection...

Gaudenz Schneider

US: No More Rate Cuts Likely from the Powell Fed; More Dovish FOMC by Q2 2026

​FOMC cut by 25bp, but wants to bring inflation back to 2% target. No-QT amounts to easing, precluding rate cuts until Jan'26, with next cut...

Prasenjit K. Basu

FOMC cut by 25bp, but wants to bring inflation back to 2% target. No-QT amounts to easing, precluding rate cuts until Jan'26, with next cut...