Stocks and a slew of other “risk assets” fell on Monday as a host of economic and political woes spread across the globe that may jeopardize the global economic recovery. As earnings and economic data continues to be released in droves, it is paramount that we not only pay attention to the actual numbers but how the stocks (and major averages) react to the numbers. This allows us to see how the market participants are “voting” and helps us filter out the noise and focus on what matters most: price action. We find it disconcerting to see the benchmark S&P 500, Russell 2000, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq composite close below their 50 DMA lines.

Growth Concerns From China to Europe Hurt Stocks:

Stocks and a slew of risk assets fell on Monday after a slew of economic and political data questioned the health of the global recovery. Overnight, China said its manufacturing sector contrcated for the sixth consecutive month which is not ideal. Germany’s manufacturing index also contracted which was also a surpise. Spain’s economy contracted in Q1 for the first time several years. The Dutch cabinet resigned after failing to pass much needed austerity measures. In the first round of presidential elections, French voters were mixed but largely expressed a negative view for the Sarkozy administration. According to CNBC.com, this was the first time an incumbent French president came second in the first-round vote in the present electoral system’s 54-year history. The second round will be held in two weeks. This bodes poorly for the political capital behind the current EU bailout plan. Especially, if citizens of other countries in the E.U. do not want austerity, the ramificaitons could be delieterious.

Market Outlook- In A Correction