>>> Europe : Brokers Upgrades & Downgrades - 10th of

>>> Up
*BAT Raised to Buy at Berenberg, PT 5670p
*Betsson Raised to Neutral at Swedbank, PT SEK85
*DNO Raised to Buy at Nordea Securities, PT NOK9.50
*HeidelbergCement Raised to Buy at Berenberg, PT EU103.60
*Novartis Raised to Outperform at Main First Bank AG, PT CHF90
*Orkla Raised to Buy at Arctic Securities, PT NOK81
*Osram Raised to Equal-Weight at Barclays
*Pennon Raised to Buy at SocGen, PT 940p
*Sabadell Raised to Equal-Weight at Morgan Stanley, PT EU1.40
*Sage Raised to Outperform at Exane
*Sartorius Raised to Buy at M.M. Warburg
*SEB Raised to Reduce at AlphaValue

>>> Down
*Beijer Alma Cut to Hold at Nordea Securities, PT SEK266
*Enea Cut to Hold at SEB Equities, PT SEK102
*Gjensidige Cut to Sell at Citi, PT NOK122
*Henderson Group Cut to Neutral at Credit Suisse
*ING Cut to Hold at Santander, PT EU14.50
*KORIAN Cut to Add at Portzamparc, PT EU31
*Norsk Hydro Cut to Sell at Pareto Securities, PT NOK42
*Novozymes Cut to Neutral at JPMorgan, PT DKK266
*Orkla Cut to Reduce at Swedbank, PT NOK74
*Ryanair Cut to Hold at Kepler Cheuvreux
*TomTom Cut to Add at AlphaValue
*Veidekke Cut to Hold at DNB Markets, PT NOK130
*Zurich Ins. Cut to Underperform at Macquarie, PT CHF233

>>> PT Change


>>> Initiation
*DNA Rated New Overweight at Barclays, PT EU14

>>> Call

>>> Groupe Renault: 2016 financial results

Groupe Renault: 2016 financial results
February 10, 2017


2016 RECORD YEAR, WITH REVENUES AT €51.2 BILLION AND OPERATING MARGIN AT 6.4%

Revenues up 13.1% to €51,243 million
Registrations up 13.3% to 3.18 million units
Group operating margin at €3,282 million, up 38.2%, representing 6.4% of revenues, versus 5.2%1 in 2015
Automotive operating margin at €2,386 million, up 54.3%
Group operating income at €3,283 million (+50.9%)
Contribution of associated companies at €1,638 million (versus 1,371 million in 2015)
Net income at €3,543 million up 19.7% representing 6.9% of revenues
Positive Automotive operational free cash flow of €1,107 million
"After very strong results in the first half of the year, Groupe Renault confirmed its performance by establishing a new record for the year. We outperformed the targets of the "Drive the Change" plan, launched in 2011, both in terms of growth and profits one year in advance. This success rewards the hard work of all Group employees." said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Renault.

In 2016, under the impetus of the Drive the Change plan, Groupe Renault reached a new sales record and becomes the number-one French automotive group worldwide, with 3.18 million vehicles registered. Volume and market shares were up in all regions.

In 2016, Group revenues were €51,243 million, up 13.1% from 2015. This represents growth of 17.0% at constant exchange rates.

Automotive revenues were €48,995 million, up 13.7% thanks to an increase in the Group’s brand volumes and sales to partners. The price effect was positive, due to the impact of new models and price increases in some emerging markets to offset currency devaluations.

The Group operating margin was €3,282 million (+38.2%), compared to €2,375 million1 in 2015, representing 6.4% of revenues (5.2%1 in 2015).

The Automotive operating margin was up €840 million (+54.3%) to €2,386 million, or 4.9% of revenues (versus 3.6%1 in 2015).

This performance is mainly explained by volume growth (€1,036 million).

Continuing efforts to reduce costs positively contributed for €184 million, taking into account a significant increase in R&D expenses.

The mix/price/enrichment effect was positive at €115 million, in particular due to the impact of our new models and price increases in some emerging countries.

The currency impact was highly negative at -€702 million, reflecting firstly the depreciation of the British pound and the Argentinean peso.

Raw materials continued to have a very favourable effect of €331 million.

The company's G&A increased by €112 million.

Sales Financing contributed €896 million to the Group operating margin, compared with €829 million1 in 2015, an increase of 8.1%.

Cost of risk (including country risk) has stabilized at a very good level of 0.31% of average performing assets (versus 0.33% at end-2015).

Other operatingincome and expenses are near-neutral at €1 million. This balance is primarily due to a profit of €325 million recorded following the first full consolidation of AVTOVAZ at December 31, 2016, and to provisions for restructuring, in particular in France, for a total amount of €283 million. No provision has been booked regarding the diesel investigation in France.

Accordingly, the Group operating income came to €3,283 million, compared to €2,1761 million in 2015.

Net financial income and expenses is a charge of €323 million, compared to -€221 million in 2015. This evolution came mostly from lower financial income notably in Argentina, and foreign exchange gains in 2015.

The contribution of associated companies came to €1,638 million, compared to €1,371 million in 2015.

Nissan’s contribution amounted to €1,741 million in 2016, versus €1,976 million in 2015.

AVTOVAZ’s contribution for 2016 was negative at -€89 million, versus a loss of €620 million recorded in 2015.
This improvement stems mainly from a sharp reduction in impairment losses recorded in 2016 compared with 2015, and partly, from the company's improved operating performance. Furthermore, accounting for AVTOVAZ’s losses in the results of equity affiliates was capped in 2016 at the value of the investment in Renault’s books.

Net income came to €3,543 million (+19.7%) and net income, Group share, to €3,419 million (€12.57 per share, compared with €10.35 per share in 2015, up 21.4%).

Positive Automotive operational free cash flow came to €1,107 million, after taking into account a positive change in working capital requirements of €356 million over the period.

The net cash position, after AVTOVAZ consolidation, amounted to €2,720 million (€3,925 million before the consolidation).

A dividend of €3.15 per share, versus €2.40 last year, will be submitted for approval at the next Shareholders' Annual General Meeting.


AVTOVAZ

As the first full AVTOVAZ’s consolidation occurred on the 28th of December 2016, the income statement was not consolidated. On the other hand, the company's balance sheet was consolidated in our financial statements. The consolidation impact on Groupe Renault’s net financial position was a negative €1,205 million, and a preliminary goodwill of €1,025 million was accounted for. As of 31st of December 2016, AVTOVAZ market value was higher than the carrying value of AVTOVAZ net assets including goodwill in Renault’s financials.

During 2017, some other capital restructurings are contemplated in order to restore AVTOVAZ’s equity.

AVTOVAZ’s management communicated its detailed recovery plan on January 16th 2017.The main objectives of this plan is to reach positive operating profit (before impairment and restructuring costs) in 2018 and achieve profitable growth beyond. This presentation is available on our website:



OUTLOOK 2017

In 2017, the global market is expected to record growth of 1.5% to 2%. The European and French markets are expected to increase by 2%.

At the International level, the Brazilian and Russian markets are expected to be stable. On the other hand, China (+5%) and India (+8%) should continue their momentum.

Within this context, and including AVTOVAZ, Groupe Renault is aiming to:

- increase group revenues, beyond the impact of AVTOVAZ (at constant exchange rates)*,
- increase group operating profit in euros*,
- generate a positive automotive operational free cash flow.

(*) compared with 2016 Groupe Renault published results


MIDTERM PLAN 2022

Groupe Renault will present in 2017 a new strategic plan 2017-2022, with an ambition to reach €70 billion (at constant exchange rates) in revenues and 7% operating margin at the end of the plan, while maintaining a positive operational automotive free cash flow every year.


RENAULT CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

€ million 2016 2015(1) Change
Group revenues 51,243 45,327 +5,916
Operating profit 3,282 2,375 +907
% of revenues 6.4% 5.2% +1.2pts
Other operating income and expenses items 1 -199 +200
Operating income 3,283 2,176 +1,107
Net financial income -323 -221 -102
Contribution from associated companies 1,638 1,371 +267
o/w : NISSAN 1,741 1,976 -235
AVTOVAZ -89 -620 +531
Current and deferred taxes -1,055 -366 -689
Net income 3,543 2,960 +583
Net income, Group share 3,419 2,823 +596
Automotive operational free cash flow 1,107 1,051 +56

(1)Taxes, which satisfy the definition of tax based on a taxable profit according to IAS 12 "Income Tax" and which were previously presented as operating expenses, have been reclassified under current taxes from 2016 and conversely for taxes not satisfying the definition of tax based on a taxable profit income. The presentation of the financial statements for the year 2015 was restated accordingly.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The consolidated financial statements of Groupe Renault at December 31, 2016 were approved by the Board of Directors on February 9, 2017.

The Group’s statutory auditors have conducted an audit of these financial statements and their report will be issued shortly.

The earnings report, with a complete analysis of the financial results in 2016, is available at www.groupe.renault.com/en/ in the Finance section.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Frédéric TEXIER
Director Press Corporate Service
+33 1 76 84 33 67 / +33 6 10 78 49 20
Send an email

Rié YAMANE
Corporate Press Officer
+33 (0)1 76 84 00 99 / Mobile: +33 (0)6 03 16 35 20
Send an email

Astrid DE LATUDE
Corporate Press Officer
+33 (0)1 76 83 18 84
Send an email

Kind regards,

Renault Press
Ph: +331 76 84 63 36

Websites

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>>> Asian Update 10/02/2017

Asia Mid-Session Market Update: China trade balance at multi-month highs as imports and exports top estimates; Trump suffers setback in the appeals court ruling

***US Session Highlights***
- (US) INITIAL JOBLESS CLAIMS: 234K V 249KE; CONTINUING CLAIMS: 2.08M V 2.06ME (initial claims match lowest level since 1973)
- (US) Fed's Bullard (FOMC non-voter, Dovish): Target rate can remain low in 2017; relatively low policy rate remains appropriate
- (US) Pres Trump: to make a "phenomenal" tax announcement in the next 2 or 3 weeks - breakfast meeting with airline CEOs
- (US) DEC WHOLESALE INVENTORIES (FINAL) M/M: 1.0% V 1.0%E; WHOLESALE TRADE SALES M/M: 2.6% V 0.4% PRIOR

***US markets on close: Dow +0.6%, S&P500 +0.6%, Nasdaq +0.6%***
- Best Sector in S&P500: Financials
- Worst Sector in S&P500: Utilities
- Biggest gainers: TDC +8.5%, ALLE +6.1%, UA +5.5%, PXD +5.5%, EFX +5.0%
- Biggest losers: DNB -16.8%, COTY -8.6%, SEE -6.1%, MCHP -3.9%, WRK -3.2%
- At the close: VIX 10.9 (-0.6pts); Treasuries: 2-yr 1.19% (+4bps), 10-yr 2.40% (+5bps), 30-yr 3.01% (+5bps)

***US movers afterhours***
- ATVI: Reports Q4 $0.92 (ex deferrals) v $0.76e, R$2.45B v $2.27Be; Announces 2-year $1B shares repurchase (3.4% of market cap); Raises dividend 15% to $0.30 (implied yield 0.8%); guides Q1 $0.51 v $0.33e; Rev $1.55B v $1.22Be; +10.8% afterhours
- SKX: Reports Q4 $0.04 v $0.11e, R$764.3M v $724Me; Sales growth of 48.5% in China leads 17.1% increase in international wholesale business; +9.9% afterhours
- SWIR: Reports Q4 $0.49 v $0.16e, R$163.0M v $160Me; Volkswagen selects co for 4G LTE embedded modules in models worldwide; +7.5% afterhours
- NWSA: Reports Q2 $0.19 v $0.18e, R$2.12B v $2.14Be; +1.6% afterhours
- NVDA: Reports Q4 $1.13 v $0.83e, R$2.17B v $2.08Be; +0.3% afterhours
- P: Reports Q4 -$0.13 v -$0.20e, R$393M v $378Me; -1.8% afterhours
- CERN: Reports Q4 $0.61 v $0.61e, R$1.26B v $1.26Be; -4.1% afterhours
- UBNT: Reports Q2 $0.72 v $0.74e, R$213.5M v $205Me; -6.9% afterhours
- YELP: Reports Q4 $0.27 v $0.04e, R$195M v $194Me; Guides Q1 adj EBITDA $25-28M, Rev $195-199M v $204Me; -9.3% afterhours

***Politics***
- (US) US 9TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS UPHOLDS SUSPENSION OF TRUMP'S TRAVEL BAN; DECISION UNANIMOUS (3-0) - press
- (US) Mexico border wall estimated to cost $21.6B, above $15B projected estimated from Republican congressional leaders Ran and McConnell - financial press

***Asia Key economic data:***
- (CN) CHINA JAN TRADE BALANCE (USD TERMS): $51.4B (5-month high) V $48.5BE
- (CN) CHINA JAN TRADE BALANCE (CNY-TERMS): 354B (1-year high) V 307.3BE
- (JP) JAPAN JAN PPI (CGPI) M/M: 0.6% V 0.2%E; Y/Y: 0.5% (22-month high) V 0.0%E
- (AU) AUSTRALIA NOV HOME LOANS M/M: 0.4% V 1.0%E (2nd straight increase)

***Asia Session Notable Observations, Speakers and Press***
- After some respite of late, the "Trump trade" flows returned over the past 24 hours, with Treasuries and Gold down and Stocks at new highs led by financials. US president has refocused on the pro-business agenda, promising "phenomenal" tax announcement to CEOs of airlines. Despite suffering a setback ruling by the 9th Court of Appeals - all 3 judges ruled to uphold suspension of his travel ban - sentiment was not dented.
- AUD is the standout among FX majors, hitting session highs after China trade surplus beat expectations in both USD and Yuan terms, while components were much stronger than consensus. In USD terms, exports hit a 10-month high and imports a near 4-year high. Imports of hard materials were up double digits thanks to the recent increase in prices. Separately, Pres Obama and Pres Xi reportedly held phone talks where the US leader assured Beijing he would respect "one China" policy after his controversial conversation with Taiwan leader late last year.
- BOJ acted in its QE operations to stem the rally in bond yields on the long end, slightly increasing its purchases of 10-25yr maturity. Japan leaders are head to Washington to meet with US officials this weekend.

China:
- (CN) US Pres Trump said to have indicated to China Pres Xi that he will respect "one China" policy - FT

Japan:
- (JP) BOJ announces amounts to buy in upcoming QE operation; Increases 10-25 yr to ¥200B from ¥190B

Australia/New Zealand:
- RBA Gov Lowe: Hard to say that exchange rate is too high - AFR

***Asian Equity Indices/Futures (00:00ET)***
- Nikkei +2.4%, Hang Seng +0.6%, Shanghai Composite +0.5%, ASX200 +1.0%, Kospi +0.5%
- Equity Futures: S&P500 +0.1%; Nasdaq +0.2%; Dax +0.3%; FTSE100 +0.2%

***FX ranges/Commodities/Fixed Income (00:00ET)***
- EUR 1.0650-1.0670; JPY 113.20-113.80; AUD 0.7620-0.7660; NZD 0.7180-0.7205
- Apr Gold -0.9% at $1,225/oz; Mar Crude Oil flat at $53.03/brl; Mar Copper -0.2% at $2.65/lb
- (CN) China Gold Association: sees China gold consumption at 1.2K tonnes by 2020 v 1.0K tonnes in 2015
- USD/CNY (CN) PBOC SETS YUAN MID POINT AT 6.8819 V 6.8710 PRIOR
- (CN) PBOC skips reverse repo operations (6th consecutive day)
- (CN) China MOF sells 91-day bonds, avg yield 2.5864%, 182-day bonds, avg yield 2.6499%

***Asia equities / Notables / movers by sector***
- Consumer discretionary: 4911.JP Shiseido Co -7.0% (FY16 result); 9007.JP Odakyu Electric Railway +3.1% (management change speculation); 3197.JP Skylark Co +1.2% (FY16 result); 111770.KR Youngone Corp +6.9% (Daishin sees earnings turnaround in Q2)
- Consumer staples: YOW.AU Yowie Group -8.9% (guidance)
- Financials: 688.HK China Overseas Land -1.6% (Jan result); 9616.JP Kyoritsu Maintenance +4.1% (9-month result); REA.AU REA Group -1.4% (H1 result); BLA.AU Blue Sky Alternative Investments +8.1% (H1 result); MPL.AU Medibank +1.8% (increase premium)
- Industrials: 7312.JP Takata Corp. +2.0% (one-time charge); 9375.JP Kintetsu World Express +15.0% (9-month result); 6305.JP Hitachi Construction Machinery +3.2% (condition satisfied for HCM’s bid); 7201.JP Nissan Motor +1.4% (9-mo result); 7912.JP Dai Nippon Printing +4.7% (9-mo result); 7272.JP Yamaha Motor +7.8% (9-mo result); 1925.JP Daiwa House Industry +2.7% (9-mo result)
- Technology: 4938.TW Pegatron Corp +4.4% (Said to be the manufacturer of wireless charging pads for the next iPhone); 3436.JP Sumco Corp -2.6% (largest shareholder to cut stake); 2038.HK FIH Mobile +8.7% (FY16 result); ACX.AU Aconex +7.6%
- Materials: 486.HK Rusal -3.3% (not consider secondary offering in UK); Taiwan Cement 1101.TW +5.9% (China cement price hike outlook); BSL.AU Bluescope Steel +5.8% (capital management seen increasing); SGM.AU Sims Metal Management +7.1% (Citi raises rating); 5301.JP Tokai Carbon +14.0% (FY16 result); 5711.JPMitsubishi Materials -4.1% (9-mo result); RSG.AU Resolute Mining -3.8%, NCM.AU Newcrest Mining -3.5% (gold falls)
- Energy: AGL.AU AGL Energy +2.8% (RBC cuts rating); 3105.JP Nisshinbo Holdings +7.2% (acquisition); 5021.JP Cosmo Energy Holdings +8.2% (9-mo result)
- Healthcare: NHF.AU NIB Holdings +1.5% (to increase premium)
- Utilities: 9005.JP Tokyu Corp +3.7% (guidance)

>>> US After Hours Summary: ATVI +9.7%, INFN +9.6%, SKX +8.9% higher


After Hours Summary: ATVI +9.7%, INFN +9.6%, SKX +8.9% higher following earnings... YELP -9%, MPWR -7.9%, CATM -7.6%, UBNT -7.2%, CERN -5.7% following earnings/guidance

After Hours Gainers:

Companies trading higher in after hours in reaction to earnings/guidance: ATVI +9.7%, INFN +9.6%, SKX +8.9%, ASYS +8.1%, RPD +7.5%, SWIR +7%, CTRL +6.8%, ELLI +5.3%, ICHR +4.5%, COLM +4.4%, HDP +4.2%, NE +4.1%, TLND +3.9% (light volume), ATEN +2.6%, RGC +2.4%, ARCW +2.2%, LPLA +1.9%, CPST +1.6%, NWSA +1.6%

Companies trading higher in after hours in reaction to news: CBR +11.9% (Lone Star Value discloses 5.4% active stake, says has engaged, and may continue to engage, in general discussions with the Board and management team, including with respect to the composition of the Board), TRVG +8.6% (still checking), AVEO +6.1% (announces updates for its lead drug candidate, tivozanib; 'Pivotal TIVO-3 Trial Enrollment Proceeding Substantially Ahead of Schedule', not revising anticipated topline data time), HXL +3.4% (authorizes $300 million of additional share repurchases),

After Hours Losers:

Companies trading lower in after hours in reaction to earnings/guidance: RSYS -15.3%, ONVO -14.1%, YELP -9%, MPWR -7.9%, CATM -7.6%, UBNT -7.2%, IPAS -6.3%, CERN -5.7%, MCFT -5%, ZNGA -4.8%, CYBR -4.7%, SGEN -4.5%, ZAYO -3.9%, APTI -3.8%, SANW -3.2%, MX -3%, WU -2.5%, EGAN -2.4%, P -2.1%, MHK -1.8%, TBBK -1.7%,

Companies trading lower in after hours in reaction to news: TCON -12.4% (reports top-line results from a randomized Phase 2 clinical trial of TRC105 in recurrent glioblastoma funded and conducted by the Clinical Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) of the National Cancer Institute), BTX -7% (commences common stock offering), CLF -4.8% (files mixed securities shelf offering; commences offering of 50 mln common shares or up to an aggregate of 57.5 mln Common Shares if the underwriter exercises its option), NBIX -0.8% (Neurocrine Biosci and BIAL enter into an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of opicapone in North America)

>>> US Close Dow +0.59% S&P +0.58% Nasdaq +0.58% Russell +1.46%

Closing Market Summary: Averages Finish Thursday at Record Highs

Stagnant no more, the major averages finished Thursday's session at fresh record highs. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and the Dow closed with gains of 0.6%, while the small-cap Russell 2000 (+1.4%) outperformed.

Visions of tax reform drove today's advance after President Trump promised to make a "phenomenal" tax-related announcement in the coming weeks. There are no details as of yet regarding what the plan will look like, so it is impossible to say for certain which stocks/industry groups will be winners and losers. The positive response today was grounded more in psychology than economics because, again, there were no details given.

Equity indices remained near their highs, shrugging off comments from Chicago Fed President Charles Evans, who reiterated that three rate hikes in 2017 may be reasonable. Mr. Evans is a voting member on this year's FOMC.

Treasuries didn't have a strong reaction to Mr. Evan's speech. However, the risk-on sentiment did help steepen the yield curve as long-term Treasuries fell under heavy selling pressure relative to shorter-dated issues. The benchmark 10-yr yield finished seven basis points higher at 2.40% while the 2-yr yield closed three basis points higher at 1.18%.

Capitalizing on the steeper yield curve, financials (+1.4%) provided strong sector leadership throughout Thursday's session. Financial components showed broad strength with JPMorgan Chase (JPM 87.20, +1.24), Goldman Sachs (GS 241.55, +3.82), MetLife (MET 52.58, +1.19), and Prudential (PRU 108.39, +3.17) gaining between 1.4% and 3.0%. Prudential's uptick took place in reaction to better than expected earnings.

The consumer staples space (+0.4%) was also represented on the earnings front with Coca-Cola (KO 41.25, -0.77), CVS Health (CVS 77.31, +0.28), and Kellogg (K 76.44, +2.95) reporting results before this morning's open. The results were mixed as KO finished 1.8% lower after below-consensus guidance overshadowed better than expected revenues. Separately, CVS and K posted respective gains of 0.3% and 4.0% after beating earnings estimates.

Energy (+0.9%) also outpaced the benchmark index thanks in part to an uptick in crude oil. The energy component closed 1.2% higher at $52.98/bbl following yesterday's surprising gains in the face of Energy Information Administration (EIA) data which showed a 13.8 million barrel build in oil inventories. Short positions being squeezed out most likely contributed to the counter-intuitive advance.

Utilities (-0.8%) and materials (unch) were the only two spaces to finish Thursday lower. Higher market rates weighed on the rate-sensitive utilities sector while Sealed Air (SEE 47.14, -3.08) had its hand in pushing the materials space lower. The company plunged 6.1% in reaction to the disappointing guidance and lower than expected revenues.

Nine of eleven spaces are higher for the week going into Friday's session with materials and energy showing week-to-date losses of 0.9% and 1.4%, respectively.

Today's economic data included Initial Claims and December Wholesale Inventories:

  • The latest weekly initial jobless claims count totaled 234,000 while the consensus expected a reading of 250,000. Today's tally was below the unrevised prior week count of 246,000. As for continuing claims, they rose to 2.078 million from the revised count of 2.063 million (from 2.064 million).
    • The key takeaway from the report is that employers appear reluctant to trim their payrolls, which is a reflection of the tightness in the labor market and the difficulty in finding new employees with the right skill set.
  • December Wholesale Inventories increased 1.0%, which was in line with the consensus. The prior month's reading was left unrevised at 1.0%.
    • December marked the second straight month that wholesale inventories increased 1.0%, helping to explain the positive contribution the change in inventories made to Q4 GDP growth.

Friday's economic data will include January Export/Import Prices at 8:30 am ET, February Michigan Sentiment Index (consensus 97.9), and January Treasury Budget at 2:00 pm ET.

  • Nasdaq Composite +6.2% YTD
  • S&P 500 +3.1% YTD
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average +2.1% YTD
  • Russell 2000 +1.6% YTD

(ZH) "Euphoric" - S&P Risk-Reward Surges To Worst Level In 23 Years

"Euphoric" - S&P Risk-Reward Surges To Worst Level In 23 Years

Despite the constant clamor of money-on-the-sidelines (which Cliff Asness has summarily dismissed as being idiotic) about to take stocks on their next leg higher, and near-record high bullish investor sentiment, it appears institutional selling is doing nothing to affect the 'euphoric' levels of risk-to-reward in the markets.
Full of bull...

Biggest sales by our clients in our data history (since 2008).
All three client groups (hedge funds, institutional clients, private clients) were sellers of Discretionary stocks last week, where this sector has seen among the weakest results and guidance this earnings season. Clients also sold stocks in Tech, Real Estate, Materials and Utilities.
And with VIX near record lows and trailing S&P 500 valuations at near record highs, the risk-reward index is deep in euphoria - at its worst levels for investors since 1994!
h/t @swaptions
The last 3 times stocks were this euphoric were March 1994, March 2000, and Feb 2007 - all of which ended in ugliness (if not disaster).
Furthermore, for all those Trumpflationists, we are said to say that all hope of anything but a temporary blip in inflation have been erased as the Inflation-Breakeven swaps surve has collapsed near post-crisis flats...
h/t @swaptions
Seems like the perfect time to BTFATH.