Stocks Rally As Nuclear Threat Eases In Japan

Monday, March 21, 2011
Stock Market Commentary:

On Monday, stocks surged around the world, after allied forced began operation Odyssey in Libya and the nuclear threat eased markedly in Japan. The 28-week rally, which began on the September 1, 2010 follow-through day (FTD), ended on Thursday March 10, 2011 when all the major U.S. averages plunged below their respective 50 DMA lines in heavy trade. The current crisis in the Middle East remains in flux which is putting upward pressure on oil and gold and downward pressure on equities. The benchmark S&P 500 was up nearly 100% from its March 2009 low before its latest correction and is still about -19% off its all-time high from October 2007.

Nuclear Woes Ease In Japan, Libya Under Seige, and Existing Home Sales Fall:

Over the weekend, allied forces removed several of Qaddafi’s key military strong holds in Libya. This weakened the aging dictator and will hopefully lead to a peaceful resolution to the three week conflict, lead by the Libyan people. The nuclear threat eased markedly in Japan which helped allay woes that an all out nuclear meltdown will occur. These two events helped stocks rally across the globe. In the U.S., existing home sales plunged while the median home price fell to the lowest level since April 2002. The National Association of Realtors said existing home sales tanked -9.6% to a 4.88 million annual rate which is less than the 5.13 million median forecast and bodes poorly for the ailing housing market. The report also showed that the median price fell -5.2% from the same period last year and a whopping 39% were sales of distressed properties.
Market Action- Market In A Correction; 28-Week Rally Ends
All the major averages sliced below their respective 50 DMA lines on Thursday, March 10, 2011.  Thursday, March 17, 2011 marked day 1 of a new rally attempt which means that the earliest a possible follow-through day (FTD) could emerge would be Tuesday, as long as Thursday’s lows are not breached. However, if Thursday’s lows are breached, then the day count will be reset and odds will favor lower prices, not higher, will follow. It is important to note that the recent ominous action reiterates the importance of raising cash and playing strong defense until a new FTD emerges. If you are looking for specific help navigating this market, please contact us for more information.

Don’t Miss Out!
Have You Seen How Our New Site Can Help You!
Visit: www.SarhanCapital.com Today!

 

Similar Posts

  • Strong Open After MLK Weekend

    For the most part, the major averages and leading stocks are acting well as investors continue to digest the slew of economic and earnings data being released each day. Until a clear picture can be formed as to how companies fared last quarter, one could easily expect to see more of this sideways action to continue. The market just began its 46th week since the March lows and the rally remains intact as long as the major averages continue trading above their respective 50-day moving average (DMA) lines.

  • Stocks Slide As Global Recovery Slows

    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.

  • Volatile Week On Wall Street

    It is important to note that the major averages have been steadily rallying since early February and a pullback of some sort should be expected. Tuesday marked the latest distribution day since the rally was confirmed on the March 1, 2010 follow-through day (FTD). According to the paper, there are 5 distribution days for the NYSE and the S&P 500, 4 for the Dow, and 3 for the Nasdaq in recent weeks. This puts some pressure on this 9-week rally, but has yet to cause any technical damage. However, the fact that the market continues to shrug off any and all negative data bodes very well for this 9-week rally.

  • Stocks Negatively Reverse; End Week Lower

    Friday, December 14, 2012 Stock Market Commentary: Friday marked day 20 of the current rally attempt (that began on Friday, November 16, 2012- after politicians hinted that a deal would get done for the fiscal cliff). Over the past 20 sessions, the market bounced from November’s low (SPX ~1343) to November’s high (SPX ~1435), or…

  • Week In Review: Leaders Get Hit As Market Churns

    Initially, the market rallied on the jobs report but sellers quickly emerged which put pressure on the market. It was disconcerting to see a several high profile leaders such as Apple Inc. (AAPL -1.61%) and Netflix (NFLX -3.04%) get smacked on Friday. Apple, one the strongest stocks since the March lows, triggered a technical sell signal when it violated its well defined 8-month upward trendline and its 50 DMA line on Friday. This was the first time since the March low that Apple closed below support (its upward trendline and 50 DMA line). Volume surged as the stocks fell which indicated that large institutional investors were unloading their positions, not Aunt Mary or Uncle Bob. The dollar rallied sharply after the jobs report was released which put pressure on a slew of commodities, mainly gold. Gold plunged sharply today which dragged a slew of gold related stocks. Remember that gold has been one of the strongest performing groups in recent weeks and now that it has fallen, a new group will need to emerge to carry this market higher. That coupled with the recent questionable action in the major averages and the dearth of leadership suggests this rally is “under pressure” which means caution is advised.

  • 6th Consecutive Weekly Decline

    Market Outlook- Market In A Correction:
    From our point of view, the market is back in a correction now that all the major averages closed below their respective 50 DMA lines and important upward trendlines. Since the beginning of May, we have urged our clients and readers to be extremely cautious as the major averages and a host of commodities began selling off.
    For those of you that are interested, the S&P 500 hit a new 2011 high on May 2, 2011. Two days later, on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, we turned cautious and said “The Rally Was Under Pressure” (read here). Then on Monday, 5.23.11, we changed our outlook to “Market In A Correction” (read here). On Monday June 6, 2011 we pointed out that the S&P 500 violated its 9-month upward trendline (read here) and reiterated our cautious stance. We have received a lot of “thank you” emails for being “spot on” in our cautious approach. We are humbled by your presence and very thankful for your continued support. Looking forward, the next level of resistance for the major averages is their respective 50 DMA lines then their 2011 highs. The next level of support is their longer term 200 DMA lines. If you are looking for specific help navigating this market, please contact us for more information.
    Stock Market Research?
    Global Macro Research?
    Want To Follow Trends?
    Learn How We Can Help You!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *