APEX MACRO RESEARCH | TICKER INTELLIGENCE
Generated 2026-09-25 19:37

ETF Research Note

PLTM - Platinum

Commodities / Crypto / USD context across the current Apex Macro deck stack: breadth, ETF technicals, VAMS, Options Intelligence, DeMark 9/13, CFTC positioning, rates/credit, Macro Lens, and allocation context.

Group: Commodities / Crypto / USD Action: Neutral-positive / selective add Composite: 53.2 / 100 Macro quintile: 4

PM Read

Neutral-positive / selective add

price/trend score 39.1; DeMark rank 65.9; macro setup 54.5

Main Risk

still more than 10% below trailing 1Y high

How To Use

Start with the signal stack, then confirm whether VAMS, options, DeMark, positioning, and macro are agreeing or fighting the price trend.

Price17.04
1W-1.6%
1M-2.4%
3M11.4%
6M-7.7%
1Y-22.9%

Analyst Conclusion

This is the front-page decision note: verdict, setup quality, key evidence, primary friction, and the triggers that would upgrade or downgrade the ticker.

Analyst VerdictSetup QualityBest SupportMain FrictionFresh TapeMacro UseUpgrade TriggerDowngrade Trigger
Neutral-positive / selective addMixed / wait for cleaner confirmationDeMark, Rates / CreditETF Technicals, BreadthImproving: DeMark technical rank, Macro setup scoreSizing contextVAMS turns Buy or signal strength improves; constituent breadth expands and damage falls; options tape moves into a validated supportive setupfresh 5D deterioration persists: Price, Relative strength vs SPY; VAMS flips Sell or weakens materially; rates/credit risk budget tightens further

One-Minute PM Summary

The report starts with the decision layer, then shows the evidence. "What changed since last week" is a fixed 5-trading-day lookback so the read is clear to anyone opening the note.

DecisionConfidenceAgreementBest EvidenceMain ConflictWhat Changed Since Last Week
Neutral-positive / selective addMedium2 constructive / 2 conflictDeMark, Rates / CreditETF Technicals, BreadthPrice: Deteriorated (-1.6%); Relative strength vs SPY: Deteriorated (-2.8%); DeMark technical rank: Improved (+61.0 pts)

PM Action Framework

This combines the agreement score, trade construction, confirmation/invalidation triggers, and the fixed 5-trading-day change lens into one decision table.

LensCurrent ReadEvidencePM Use
Cross-deck agreement50.0 / 100 | Medium confidence2 constructive, 1 neutral, 2 conflict across 5 layers.Use as the compression layer; it should summarize the evidence, not replace it.
Position constructionHold / selective add on confirmationprice/trend score 39.1; DeMark rank 65.9; macro setup 54.5Translates the signal stack into sizing language.
What changed since last weekPrice deteriorated (-1.6%); Relative strength vs SPY deteriorated (-2.8%); DeMark technical rank improved (+61.0 pts); Macro setup score improved (+8.9 pts)Fixed 5-trading-day lookback across price, relative strength, breadth, VAMS, options, DeMark, and macro where available.Separates fresh changes from stale-looking deck levels.
ConfirmationDeMark, Rates / CreditVAMS n/a; technical state Balanced.Adds should come from multiple independent confirmations, not a single strong chart.
InvalidationETF Technicals, Breadthstill more than 10% below trailing 1Y highIf these layers worsen, reduce size or wait for repair.

Ticker Playbook

Rules-based action map for an analyst or PM: what would justify adding, holding, trimming, avoiding, or revisiting next week.

ActionRuleCurrent StatusEvidence To Watch
Add / increaseAgreement score near/above 68 with limited conflicts, or strong peer leadership with no major veto.Selective add / pullback addDeMark, Rates / Credit
Hold / monitorAgreement 48-68, strong trend with unresolved confirmation gaps, or VAMS Sell capping an otherwise good setup.AppropriateTrend state: Balanced; VAMS: n/a.
Trim / reduceMultiple conflicts, VAMS Sell, breadth deterioration, or options/DeMark warning.Active riskETF Technicals, Breadth
Avoid / waitAgreement below 45 or downtrend/chase-risk setup without cross-deck confirmation.Not primarystill more than 10% below trailing 1Y high
Recheck next weekUse the fixed 5-trading-day change lens to separate fresh repair from stale signal levels.Deteriorating: Price, Relative strength vs SPYImproving: DeMark technical rank, Macro setup score

What Changed Since Last Week

Fixed 5-trading-day lookback across price, relative strength, breadth, VAMS, options, DeMark, and macro where available.

SignalNow5D AgoChangeRead
Price17.0417.31-1.6%Deteriorated
Relative strength vs SPY0.0220.023-2.8%Deteriorated
DeMark technical rank65.94.9+61.0 ptsImproved
Macro setup score54.545.7+8.9 ptsImproved

Price Trend And Relative Strength

Start here: absolute trend first, then relative trend versus the market. These two charts anchor the rest of the evidence stack.

PLTM Price Trend 6.818.530.1 14D RSI 305070 2025-04-22 2026-09-25
Up candleDown candle50DMA price200DMA price14D RSI
Relative Strength Vs S&P 500 0.00.00.0 14D RSI 305070 2025-04-22 2026-09-25
Up candleDown candle50DMA PLTM/SPY ratio200DMA PLTM/SPY ratio14D RSI

Deck Cards

Breadth Proxy

No constituent file; using price-only trend and drawdown proxies.

Proxy score39.1
Price vs 50DMA-1.1%
Price vs 200DMA-3.5%
1Y drawdown-36.2%

ETF Holdings

Current Alpha Vantage look-through: concentration, top holdings, and contribution estimate.

Top 5 / 10 weightn/a / n/a

ETF Technicals

Trend, z-score, relative strength, and return profile.

StateBalanced
Return Z-0.49
MA Dev Z-0.40

DeMark 9/13

Exhaustion, setup, and validation context.

ActionHold / require confirmation
SignalUpper 13
Rank65.9

CFTC Positioning

Futures proxy for sponsorship/crowding.

ProxyNo direct proxy

Rates / Credit

Macro risk-budget governor.

2s10s0.36
HY OAS2.80
MOVE96.00

Macro

Command Center and Macro Lens overlay.

Risk appetite59.7
Macro quintile4

Allocation

Model sleeve and current expression.

SleeveOwn Growth, Do Not Chase The Whole Market
RationaleUnderweight: macro hedge signals are weak and damage is elevated; keep commodity/crypto/USD exposure tactical only.
ViewUnderweight

Peer / Group Rank

Ranks the ticker against its current ETF group using 1M return, 3M return, distance from the 50DMA, and drawdown from the trailing 1Y high. The current ticker row is highlighted.

TickerCurrentName1M3M50DMA Dist1Y DDComposite RankScore
BTC-USDBitcoin5.3%30.9%11.4%-11.8%#1
86.5
USOOil4.5%8.5%6.7%-8.4%#2
76.9
GSGCommodities3.0%9.5%4.4%-3.4%#3
76.9
DBCCommodities2.3%8.4%3.4%-3.1%#4
73.1
CPERCopper1.7%5.9%1.8%-2.0%#5
69.2
UUPUS Dollar1.9%0.1%1.7%-0.2%#6
59.6
DBBBase Metals0.7%5.0%1.4%-2.6%#7
57.7
PLTMCurrentPlatinum-2.4%11.4%-1.1%-36.2%#8
48.1
DBAAgriculture-1.1%1.1%0.1%-3.2%#9
44.2
SLVSilver-2.8%10.6%-2.2%-44.9%#10
38.5
GLDGold-3.3%5.8%-2.8%-20.7%#11
32.7
URAUranium-11.2%2.6%-8.3%-33.8%#12
19.2

Signal Stack

LayerReadScoreEvidence
ETF TechnicalsBalanced
39.1
1M -2.4%, 3M 11.4%, return z -0.49, MA dev z -0.40.
BreadthPrice proxy only
39.1
No constituent breadth file; using price trend, drawdown, and MA distance as proxy.
DeMark 9/13Hold / require confirmation
65.9
Upper 13 21D: avg 1.1%, hit 57%, N 7
CFTCn/an/aNo direct proxy: positioning pctile n/a, inst/HF %OI n/a, 13W change n/a.
Rates / CreditRisk-budget governor
66.9
2s10s 0.36, HY OAS 2.80, MOVE 96.00, VIX 14.87.
Macron/a
54.5
Risk appetite 59.7, FCI 38.8, drawdown risk 31.7.

What The Evidence Means

Translation layer for the report's less intuitive signals. This is designed to make the deck usable even if the reader has not memorized every Apex Macro metric.

LayerStateWhat It MeansPM UseEvidence
ETF TechnicalsConflictPrice is either extended without support or still in repair.Treat as a sizing constraint or invalidation check.Balanced; 1M -2.4%, 3M 11.4%.
BreadthConflictDamage or weak constituent participation argues for smaller sizing.Treat as a sizing constraint or invalidation check.No constituent breadth file; price-only trend/drawdown proxy is used.
DeMarkConstructiveTiming evidence supports continuation or validated setup.Can support add/hold if other layers agree.Upper 13 21D: avg 1.1%, hit 57%, N 7
CFTCUnavailableUse as supporting context.Monitor; do not let this layer dominate the decision.No direct proxy: percentile n/a, read n/a.
Rates / CreditConstructiveMacro risk budget is supportive for risk exposure.Can support add/hold if other layers agree.HY OAS 2.80, MOVE 96.00, VIX 14.87.
MacroNeutralMacro is a context layer, not a primary driver here.Monitor; do not let this layer dominate the decision.Risk appetite 59.7, FCI 38.8, drawdown risk 31.7.

Signal Agreement Detail

Independent layers are classified as constructive, neutral, or conflicting. This prevents one strong chart from overpowering a weak cross-deck setup.

LayerStateScoreEvidencePM Use
ETF TechnicalsConflict
39.1
Balanced; 1M -2.4%, 3M 11.4%.Confirms whether price trend is investable or still needs repair.
BreadthConflict
39.1
No constituent breadth file; price-only trend/drawdown proxy is used.Tests whether the move has enough participation to size up.
DeMarkConstructive
65.9
Upper 13 21D: avg 1.1%, hit 57%, N 7Adds timing context around exhaustion, continuation, and failed setup risk.
CFTCUnavailablen/aNo direct proxy: percentile n/a, read n/a.Flags crowding or sponsorship in the nearest futures proxy.
Rates / CreditConstructive
66.9
HY OAS 2.80, MOVE 96.00, VIX 14.87.Sets the macro risk budget around credit, volatility, and rates pressure.
MacroNeutral
54.5
Risk appetite 59.7, FCI 38.8, drawdown risk 31.7.Keeps the ticker read aligned with the broader top-down regime.

Plain-English Signal Guide

This is the translation layer: what each deck is telling you, why it matters, and how to use it without needing to memorize every metric name.

DeckPlain EnglishCurrent ReadHow To Use
ETF TechnicalsIs price trend confirming, stretched, or repairing?BalancedUse z-scores to avoid chasing extreme strength and spot washed-out repair setups.
BreadthIs the move supported by many holdings or only a few leaders?No constituent breadth fileHigher participation with falling damage supports adds; rising damage argues for smaller sizing.
DeMarkIs the ticker near trend exhaustion or a validated continuation setup?Hold / require confirmationHelpful for timing entries after big moves or failed breakouts.
CFTC / MacroAre positioning, rates, credit, and macro conditions helping or fighting the trade?macro quintile 4Keeps single-ticker conviction tied to the broader risk budget.

Evidence Quality

Flags where the evidence is deep enough to lean on versus where it should be treated as supporting context.

Evidence LayerQualitySample / CoverageHow To Trust It
BreadthThin0Native history is strongest when the ticker has a long breadth series; otherwise price proxy carries more weight.
VAMSThin0Model history supports signal/current state and the ticker-level strategy comparison.
OptionsThin0Options validation uses the current setup history; shorter samples should be treated as confirmation, not a standalone trigger.
DeMarkThin7Validation rows compare the current 9/13 setup to prior completed signals.
CFTCThin0Positioning evidence is proxy based; use it as sponsorship/crowding context rather than a precise ETF signal.
Macro QuintileHigh3,029Macro analog rows test how the ticker has behaved across broad risk-budget regimes.
Rates / CreditHigh1,032Driver sensitivity is most useful when the ticker has enough daily overlap with the macro series.

VAMS Momentum And Backtest

This block mirrors the Command Center/VAMS chart style: price plus VAMS signal, then VAMS strategy versus ETF buy/hold across the displayed backtest window.

No VAMS history exists for this ticker.

Breadth Dashboard

Each breadth metric gets its own chart so participation, trend breadth, outperformance, and damage can be read without line clutter.

No constituent-level breadth file exists for this ticker. The report uses price, trend, drawdown, and relative-strength context instead of actual constituent participation charts.

ETF Return Z-Scores

Z-scores compare each return window against the ETF's own history. The dashed +2 and -2 bands mark unusually stretched or unusually washed-out readings.

30D Return Z

Short-term return versus its own history. Above +2 is unusually hot; below -2 is unusually washed out.

PLTM: 30D Return Z Current: -0.53 -3.61.77.0 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
30D Return Z+2 stretched0-2 washed out

60D Return Z

Intermediate return pulse versus history. Helps separate durable leadership from normal noise.

PLTM: 60D Return Z Current: 0.17 -3.71.36.2 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
60D Return Z+2 stretched0-2 washed out

90D Return Z

Quarterly return stretch/repair signal. Useful for allocation timing.

PLTM: 90D Return Z Current: 0.02 -3.21.66.4 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
90D Return Z+2 stretched0-2 washed out

120D Return Z

Longer intermediate return context. Strong but not extreme is usually healthier than vertical.

PLTM: 120D Return Z Current: -0.81 -3.21.66.3 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
120D Return Z+2 stretched0-2 washed out

Moving-Average Extension Z-Scores

These charts show how extended price is versus its own moving averages. Above +2 is chase risk; below -2 is potential repair territory, depending on the broader signal stack.

20DMA Dev Z

Near-term price extension versus its 20DMA.

PLTM: 20DMA Dev Z Current: -0.39 -5.61.48.3 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
20DMA Dev Z+2 stretched0-2 washed out

50DMA Dev Z

Intermediate extension versus its 50DMA.

PLTM: 50DMA Dev Z Current: -0.40 -3.32.07.3 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
50DMA Dev Z+2 stretched0-2 washed out

100DMA Dev Z

Medium-term extension versus its 100DMA.

PLTM: 100DMA Dev Z Current: -0.05 -3.21.76.5 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
100DMA Dev Z+2 stretched0-2 washed out

200DMA Dev Z

Long-term extension versus its 200DMA.

PLTM: 200DMA Dev Z Current: -0.71 -3.21.86.8 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
200DMA Dev Z+2 stretched0-2 washed out

Options Current Setup

No current Options Intelligence row available.

Options Validation Snapshot

Current metric bucket evidence. This is deliberately compact; the cheat sheet remains the deep options validation deck.

No validation rows available.

No Options Intelligence history exists for this ticker.

DeMark 9/13 Candlestick Context

This mirrors the DeMark deck read: recent candles, the latest 9/13 trigger label, and the active daily/weekly/ratio setup context.

PLTM: DeMark 9/13 Candlestick Context Last trigger: Upper 13 3 calendar days ago 13.618.824.1 1399999 2026-02-23 2026-09-25
Up candleDown candleLower 9/13Upper 9/13

DeMark 9/13 Read

MetricValue
DailyLower setup 3/9
WeeklyLower countdown 2/13
RatioLower setup 3/9
PM actionHold / require confirmation
ValidationLow sample

CFTC Positioning

MetricValue
ProxyNo direct proxy
MappingNo futures-positioning proxy mapped

DeMark Validation Snapshot

Each forward window is shown as return / hit rate / sample size. Lower signals judge positive follow-through; upper signals judge downside follow-through. This is full-width because the DeMark evidence columns need room.

LensSignalAgeAlignmentReadEvidence5D10D21D63D
Current daily 9/13 signalUpper 133 calendar days agoDivergent / Needs ConfirmationLow sampleUpper 13 21D: avg 1.1%, hit 57%, N 7-1.2% / 71% / N 7-2.3% / 71% / N 71.1% / 57% / N 74.1% / 29% / N 7
Daily / weekly / relative alignmentUpper 133 calendar days agoDaily OnlyLow sampleDaily + Weekly + Ratio 21D: median -16.1%, avg -16.1%, hit 100%, N 1med 5.9% / hit 0% / N 1med -9.9% / hit 100% / N 1med -16.1% / hit 100% / N 1med -18.3% / hit 100% / N 1

No CFTC proxy chart available.

Rates / Credit

MetricLatest1M Chg3Y Pctile
2Y Treasury4.870.7091.0
10Y Treasury5.180.54100.0
2s10s0.36-0.1153.4
HY OAS2.800.1326.0
IG OAS0.79-0.0122.4
MOVE96.0026.1457.1
VIX14.870.3627.1

Rates / Credit And Macro Sensitivity

Each driver gets its own diagnostic stack: ticker price, 21-day driver move, rolling 30-day correlation, rolling 30-day beta, and current sensitivity metrics.

USD

Dollar pressure. Rising USD often tightens global liquidity and can pressure foreign, commodity, and high-beta exposures.

PLTM Macro Sensitivity: USD 6.617.728.9PLTM priceNow 17.0-6.3-0.84.8USD 21D return %Now 1.9-1.16-0.090.97Rolling 30D correlationNow -0.64-18.01-4.039.95Rolling 30D betaNow -3.48 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
PLTM priceUSD 21D return %Rolling 30D correlationRolling 30D beta

Current Diagnostic

MetricCurrent3M AvgCurrent PctilePM ReadWhy It Matters
21D Driver Move1.9%-0.1%86%High pressure versus this driver's own history.Macro pressure impulse
Rolling 30D Corr-0.64-0.7028%Negative link: ticker has recently moved against this driver.Whether the ETF is currently moving with the driver
Rolling 30D Beta-3.48-4.4822%Moderate sensitivity; useful for risk-budget context.How much the ETF has moved per unit of driver move

Oil

Oil/inflation pressure. Rising oil can help energy but may tighten financial conditions for rate-sensitive groups.

PLTM Macro Sensitivity: Oil 6.617.728.9PLTM priceNow 17.0-33.814.061.9Oil 21D return %Now 4.5-1.040.041.12Rolling 30D correlationNow -0.52-4.79-1.032.73Rolling 30D betaNow -0.37 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
PLTM priceOil 21D return %Rolling 30D correlationRolling 30D beta

Current Diagnostic

MetricCurrent3M AvgCurrent PctilePM ReadWhy It Matters
21D Driver Move4.5%9.1%70%Middle-of-range pressure; use with the beta/correlation rows.Macro pressure impulse
Rolling 30D Corr-0.52-0.348%Negative link: ticker has recently moved against this driver.Whether the ETF is currently moving with the driver
Rolling 30D Beta-0.37-0.2610%Moderate sensitivity; useful for risk-budget context.How much the ETF has moved per unit of driver move

10Y Yield

Duration pressure. Rising 10-year yields test long-duration growth and rate-sensitive sleeves.

PLTM Macro Sensitivity: 10Y Yield 6.617.728.9PLTM priceNow 17.0-0.60.10.710Y Yield 21D change, pct ptsNow 0.5-1.18-0.041.11Rolling 30D correlationNow -0.86-110.0976.55263.20Rolling 30D betaNow -40.18 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
PLTM price10Y Yield 21D change, pct ptsRolling 30D correlationRolling 30D beta

Current Diagnostic

MetricCurrent3M AvgCurrent PctilePM ReadWhy It Matters
21D Driver Move0.54 pts0.14 pts98%High pressure versus this driver's own history.Macro pressure impulse
Rolling 30D Corr-0.860.014%Negative link: ticker has recently moved against this driver.Whether the ETF is currently moving with the driver
Rolling 30D Beta-40.181.774%High sensitivity right now; this driver deserves sizing attention.How much the ETF has moved per unit of driver move

HY Spreads

Credit stress. Widening high-yield spreads are a direct check on risk appetite and cyclical beta.

PLTM Macro Sensitivity: HY Spreads 6.617.728.9PLTM priceNow 17.0-1.60.22.0HY Spreads 21D change, pct ptsNow 0.1-1.14-0.031.09Rolling 30D correlationNow -0.47-122.80-26.1370.54Rolling 30D betaNow -35.20 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
PLTM priceHY Spreads 21D change, pct ptsRolling 30D correlationRolling 30D beta

Current Diagnostic

MetricCurrent3M AvgCurrent PctilePM ReadWhy It Matters
21D Driver Move0.13 pts-0.02 pts80%High pressure versus this driver's own history.Macro pressure impulse
Rolling 30D Corr-0.47-0.2844%Negative link: ticker has recently moved against this driver.Whether the ETF is currently moving with the driver
Rolling 30D Beta-35.20-19.4414%High sensitivity right now; this driver deserves sizing attention.How much the ETF has moved per unit of driver move

MOVE

Rates volatility. Rising MOVE makes duration and credit sizing less forgiving.

PLTM Macro Sensitivity: MOVE 6.617.728.9PLTM priceNow 17.0-58.53.064.5MOVE 21D change, index ptsNow 26.1-1.14-0.070.99Rolling 30D correlationNow -0.76-2.23-0.531.17Rolling 30D betaNow -0.51 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
PLTM priceMOVE 21D change, index ptsRolling 30D correlationRolling 30D beta

Current Diagnostic

MetricCurrent3M AvgCurrent PctilePM ReadWhy It Matters
21D Driver Move26.1 pts3.4 pts95%High pressure versus this driver's own history.Macro pressure impulse
Rolling 30D Corr-0.76-0.109%Negative link: ticker has recently moved against this driver.Whether the ETF is currently moving with the driver
Rolling 30D Beta-0.51-0.066%High sensitivity right now; this driver deserves sizing attention.How much the ETF has moved per unit of driver move

VIX

Equity volatility. Rising VIX tests whether the ETF can hold up in risk-off tape.

PLTM Macro Sensitivity: VIX 6.617.728.9PLTM priceNow 17.0-36.4-2.731.0VIX 21D change, index ptsNow 0.4-1.12-0.041.03Rolling 30D correlationNow -0.65-9.41-2.863.68Rolling 30D betaNow -2.09 2024-08-07 2026-09-25
PLTM priceVIX 21D change, index ptsRolling 30D correlationRolling 30D beta

Current Diagnostic

MetricCurrent3M AvgCurrent PctilePM ReadWhy It Matters
21D Driver Move0.4 pts-0.8 pts59%Middle-of-range pressure; use with the beta/correlation rows.Macro pressure impulse
Rolling 30D Corr-0.65-0.5428%Negative link: ticker has recently moved against this driver.Whether the ETF is currently moving with the driver
Rolling 30D Beta-2.09-1.605%High sensitivity right now; this driver deserves sizing attention.How much the ETF has moved per unit of driver move

Macro-Regime Validation: Does The Regime Matter?

This compares the current Macro Lens quintile against the ticker's all-regime baseline, best macro bucket, and worst macro bucket. If the current edge is small, the report says so instead of forcing a macro conclusion.

TestQuintileObsAvg 1MAvg 3MAvg 6M3M HitAvg 6M Max DDVerdictPM Read
Current macro quintile46050.1%0.1%2.6%47%-10.6%Sizing contextModerate macro edge; useful as a sizing/context layer.
All macro states baselineAll30290.6%1.9%3.7%51%-9.3%BaselineBaseline for judging whether the current regime matters.
Best 3M macro quintile25961.2%3.1%4.0%59%-7.6%ReferenceBest historical macro quintile for this ticker.
Worst 3M macro quintile46050.1%0.1%2.6%47%-10.6%ReferenceWorst historical macro quintile for this ticker.
Current edge vs baseline4-0.5%-1.7%-1.1%-4%-1.3%Edge testPositive gap means the current macro quintile has beaten the ticker's baseline; negative gap means it has lagged.

Quintile Detail

QuintileCurrentObsAvg 1MAvg 3MAvg 6M3M HitAvg 6M Max DDPM Read
1617-0.1%2.4%3.7%44%-9.5%Comparison bucket
25961.2%3.1%4.0%59%-7.6%Comparison bucket
35971.1%1.4%3.5%50%-9.0%Comparison bucket
4Current6050.1%0.1%2.6%47%-10.6%Current macro quintile
56140.8%2.3%4.7%55%-9.7%Comparison bucket