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.
Monday, February 06, 2012 Stock Market Commentary: Stocks and a slew of other risk assets were relatively quiet after Greece missed its latest deadline for a second bailout package from the EU and the IMF. From our point of view, the major averages confirmed their latest rally attempt on Tuesday 1.3.12 which was Day 9…
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Stock Market Commentary: Stocks and a slew of other risk assets were flat to relatively lower on Wednesday after the enthusiasm wore off regarding the second bailout for Greece and China’s manufacturing sector contracted for the fourth consecutive month. The primary catalysts for the risk on trade was the ECB relief long term…
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 Market Commentary: The major averages traded between positive and negative territory before ending lower as investors digested the latest round of mixed economic data. Volume, an important indicator of institutional sponsorship, was lower than Monday’s session which indicated large institutions were not aggressively dumping stocks. Advancers were about even with decliners…
Thursday, November 2, 2017 Stocks gyrate as Wall Street digs through details of tax reform bill The S&P 500 traded off its lows as a sharp gain in the financials sector helped the index pare earlier losses. The plan would cut mortgage interest deductions in half. However, it would keep retirement savings plans like the…
The technical action in the major averages has deteriorated significantly. Not all of the major averages managed to rally above their recent chart highs, and all have now sliced back below their respective 200-day moving average (DMA) lines. It is also worrisome to see the number of distribution days pile up in recent weeks which puts pressure on the current five-week rally. Whenever a market rally becomes under pressure (as it is now), it is usually wise to err on the side of caution and adopt a strong defensive stance until the bulls regain control. Trade accordingly.
Friday, August 26, 2011 Stock Market Commentary: Stocks ended higher this week, snapping a 4-week losing streak and confirmed their latest rally attempt on Tuesday when a proper follow-through day (FTD) emerged. From our point of view, the market is simply pausing to consolidate its recent shellacking (15-18% from late July to early August). The major averages are technically…
