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.
Looking at the recent action in the market, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and benchmark S&P 500 index enjoyed their best close of the year as they continue flirting with important resistance levels (10,500 and 1,115 respectively.). The major averages continue acting well as they remain perched just below resistance (their respective 2009 highs) and above their respective 50-day moving average lines. Both these factors are considered healthy and bodes well for this 8-month (41-week) rally. It was also encouraging to see the Nasdaq close above 2,200 which has served as formidable resistance over the past few months. A slew of economic data is slated to be released this week and, as always, it will be very important to see how the market reacts to that news.
The benchmark S&P 500 Index marked Day 14 of its current rally attempt and is currently encountering resistance just below its 200 DMA line. The Dow Jones Industrial Average marked Day 5 of its latest rally attempt while the Nasdaq Composite marked Day 3. At this point, the window is now open for the major averages to produce a sound follow-through day (FTD) until the recent lows are breached. Furthermore, it is well known that a market should not be considered “healthy” unless it trades above its rising 200-day moving average (DMA) line. The fact that all the major averages are below both their 50 & 200 DMA lines bodes poorly for the near term. That said, the bears will likely remain in control until the popular averages close above their important moving averages. Trade accordingly.
Heretofore, the action since this rally was confirmed on the September 1, 2010 follow-through day (FTD) has been strong but the market action has been wide-and-loose which is not a healthy sign. The S&P 500 sliced below its two month upward trendline (shown above) which is not ideal. The next level of support for the major averages is their September highs, then their respective 200-day moving average (DMA) lines while the next level of resistance is their respective April highs. We have enjoyed large gains since the September 1st FTD and over the past two weeks, the tape remains somewhat sloppy. Trade accordingly.
Home Prices Edge Higher, FOMC Meeting, & Bernanke Press Conference:
Before Wednesday’s open, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index (HPI) was released which showed a slight uptick in home prices. The index unexpectedly rose in April, snapping a six-month losing streak. The FHFA house price index rose +0.8% in April, following a decline of -0.4% in March. The Federal Reserve held rates steady which matched expectations and largely reiterated their recent stance on the U.S. economy and inflation.
The 12-week rally ended on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 after the major averages plunged in heavy volume back down towards their respective 50 DMA lines. In recent weeks, we have repeatedly written about how the major averages were experiencing wide-and-loose action after a big move and made it very clear that that was not a healthy sign. At this point, we are looking for a new rally to be confirmed with a new follow-through day before taking any new positions. Caution and patience are key at this point. Trade accordingly.
STOCK MARKET COMMENTARY: FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 Stocks hit another record high last week as this Central Bank driven rally continues apace. We changed the status from rally under pressure to confirmed rally in our Tuesday 4/23/13 mid-week update and noted that the bulls are back in control of this market. So far, every pullback…
