Nasdaq – 5th Consecutive Weekly Decline
Friday, November 09, 2012
Stock Market Commentary:
The major averages sliced below support and continued tracing out their 8-week downtrend (series of lower highs and lower lows) as the bears remain in clear control of this market. It is important to note that the market is “oversold” and due for a bounce. Keep in mind that oversold markets can get a lot more oversold before they bounce. Put simply, the path of least resistance is down until the major averages trade above their respective downward trendlines and their 50 DMA lines. Until then, by definition the trend remains lower. So far, this appears to be an ugly pullback after a big run evidenced by the fact that the major averages are still less than 10% below their recent highs. Most people define a correction when a market (or stock) falls more than 10% below a recent high. So far, the reaction to earnings has been outright awful which suggests investors are not happy with the results. Bottom line: Investors want to know what catalyst (s) will help the market rally from here.
Monday- Wednesday’s Action: Stocks Tank After Election
On Monday, stocks were quiet and ended with modest gains after spending most of the session trading in and out of positive territory. The economic data came in just shy of estimates. The ISM service index slid to 54.2 last month which just missed the Street’s estimate of 54.5 and was below September’s reading of 55.1. On a positive note, it was encouraging to see the number come in above the boom/bust level of 50, signaling expansion. According to CNBC.com: on average, the DJIA and S&P 500 have performed better under Democratic presidents with the Dow returning an average gain of 74 percent and the S&P returning a gain of 80 percent. That compares with the Republican average gain of 47 percent for the Dow and 41 percent for the S&P. The data for the DJIA dates back to 1901, while the S&P 500 data dates back to 1928.
Thursday-Friday’s Action: Stocks Continue To Fall
Market Outlook- Correction:
From our perspective, the market is in a clear correction and the trend is down as long as the major averages continue trading below their respective 50 DMA lines and their 2-month downward trendline. We will turn more bullish once the major averages trade back above their respective 50 DMA lines. As always, keep your losses small and never argue with the tape.