Stocks and a slew of other “riskon” assets bounced from deeply oversold levels as hope spread that another round of global monetary easing will curb the economic slowdown across the globe. In early May, all the major averages sliced below their respective 50 DMA lines which prompted us to label this market “in a correction.” For the past few weeks, we have written about the importance of being defensive especially because the action in the major averages and a slew of leading stocks deteriorated. After the sharp fall, the bulls showed up and are doing their best to defend the longer term 200 DMA lines for the major averages. If that level is “broken” on a closing basis- then we have to expect another leg lower to begin.
Stocks rallied on Monday erasing earlier losses and marked Day 1 of a new rally attempt. Stocks looked passed a lackluster non-manufacturing PMI reading from China and were hopeful that the EU crisis was not deteriorating further. The CRB Commodity Index managed to snap a four day losing streak which also helped stocks rally. The euro, which is a great barometer for “riskon” assets, also rallied from deeply oversold levels which paved the way for a “riskon” day.
Stocks rallied on Tuesday after the latest round of economic data was mixed. European retail sales slid but non-manufacturing PMI improved marginally. Finance ministers from the G7 held an emergency teleconference but failed to come up with any ground breaking solutions. The latest ISM Services Index rose to 53.7 in May from 53.5 in April. Moody’s one of the popular rating agencies, slashed the ratings on several European banks.
Stocks extended their gains on Wednesday after the ECB held rates steady at 1% and optimism spread. The ECB held its key interest rate unchanged at 1% which matched expectations. ECB President Mario Draghi said the central bank will do its best to curb inflation but added that inflation pressures remain subdued. Draghi also said the ECB expects inflation should remain above 2% for the rest of 2012 and then fall to 1-2% in 2013.
Thursday & Friday’s Action- Stocks Slide As Enthusiasm Wanes:
Before Thursday’s open, China lowered their interest rates by 25 basis points to 6.31% to help boost their “sagging economy.” The PBC move was not expected and helped send a slew of risk assets higher. Janet Yellen, the vice chair of the Fed, gave a speech in Boston where she made a case for another round of monetary easing to protect and stimulate the US economy from the impact of the euro zone debt crisis. After the open, Bernanke testified before the Congressional Joint Economic Committee and reiterated his recent stance regarding continued “downside” risks to the economy and capital markets. In European news, Spain has not yet requested assistance from the ECB and has resisted being placed under international supervision. However, Reuters reported that both German and European Union officials are urgently searching for solutions to their onerous debt problems. Stocks sold off in the final hour after the U.S. Fed boosted capital requirements for several of the country’s largest banks. Stocks rallied on Friday as enthusiasm regarding the global economy improved.
It was encouraging to see the bulls show up and defend the major averages’ respective 50 DMA lines as this market proves resilient and simply refuses to go down. The market remains in a confirmed rally until those levels are breached. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite and small-cap Russell 2000 indexes continue to lead evidenced by their shallow correction and strong recovery. However, it is important to note that stocks are a bit extended here and a pullback of some sort (back to the 50 DMA lines) would do wonders to restore the health of this bull market. If you are looking for specific high ranked ideas, please contact us for more information.
Stocks Back To Break-Even For The Year Stocks rallied sharply last week, led by beaten down areas (energy, materials, transports, etc) that bounced from deeply oversold levels. Not much changed last week as the same underlying conditions, we have outlined for you in recent months, continue to exist beneath the surface. The S&P 500 is back to breakeven for 2015…
Stocks End Mixed As Retail Stocks Sink Stocks ended mixed to mostly lower last week as investors digested the latest round of economic, political, and earnings data. The big take-away last week for the market was a slew of retail stocks gapped down after reporting earnings. On a positive note, the Nasdaq and Nasdaq 100…
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 Stock Market Commentary: Stocks were relatively quiet on Tuesday as stocks paused to consolidate their very strong week-long +7% rally. The major averages are technically in a new confirmed rally which means probing the long side may be prudent, if/when high ranked stocks begin to trigger fresh technical buy signals. Even…
The technical action in global equity markets is not promising. At this point, several European stock market’s have fallen over -20% from their 52-week highs which technically defines a bear market. The major US averages are all trading below their respective 50 DMA lines which is not healthy. It was also disconcerting to see volume dry up on Monday as the major averages “bounced” from egregiously oversold levels, which usually suggests massive short covering, not new buying efforts. A host of leading stocks closed near their lows after a very strong open which is a subtle, yet important, sign of distribution. However, if this market resolves itself and wants to go higher, we will need to see a proper follow-through day (FTD) emerge before a new rally can be confirmed. Monday marked Day 1 of a new rally attempt which means that as long as Monday’s lows are not breached the earliest a possible FTD could emerge will be Thursday (Day 4). In addition, if Monday’s lows are breached then the day count will be reset. Taking the appropriate action on a case-by-case basis with your stocks prompts investors to raise cash when any holdings start getting into trouble. Trade accordingly.
The major averages and leading stocks are now in a correction as the major averages sliced and closed below their respective multi month upward trend lines and their 50 DMA lines on Friday. So far, the market’s reaction has been tepid at best to the latest round of economic and earnings data. The recent series of distribution days coupled with the deleterious action in the major averages suggests large institutions are aggressively selling stocks. The market just ended its 46th week since the March lows and we are now waiting for a new follow-through day to be produced before resuming any buying efforts. Until that occurs, patience is key, and the path of least resistance is down. Trade Accordingly.
