Week-In-Review: Bulls Back In The Driver's Seat

Bulls Back In The Driver’s Seat

The stock market remains exceptionally strong. Once again, the latest pullback was another strong buying opportunity. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq Composite, and benchmark S&P 500 are all back above near-term support and, once again, flirting with new highs. This was another shallow/healthy pullback in both size (small percent decline) and scope (short in duration). Meanwhile, the two lagging areas: The Transports and the small-cap Russell 2000 both pulled back and found support near their respective longer term 200 DMA lines. Now they are flirting with their 50 DMA lines. When you step back and look at the bigger trend, the market remains exceptionally strong. Remember, in a very strong bull market (present market included), weakness should be bought, not sold. Going forward, August’s low is near term support and the bulls remain in clear control until that level is broken.

Mon-Wed Action:

Energy stocks, specifically, refinery stocks, lifted the market higher on Monday as Hurricane Harvey flooded Houston and the surrounding areas. RBOB gasoline futures soared nearly 7% on Monday alone and continued to rally all week. The Dallas Fed manufacturing survey came in at 17.0, slightly higher than the Street’s estimate for 15. After Monday’s close, North Korea fired a missile over Japan and that lead futures to fall sharply overnight. On Tuesday, stocks opened lower but closed higher which was a net positive and set the stage for the market to rally for the rest of the week. Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi indices both closed off their lows which was a subtle, but important, sign of strength. On the economic front, the S&P Case-Shiller home price index grew by only +0.1%, missing estimates for a gain of +0.3%. Meanwhile, consumer confidence came in at 122.9, beating estimates for 120.6. Stocks rallied on Wednesday helping the S&P 500 jump back above its 50 DMA line. Technically, that was a very  healthy sign. The ADP employment report showed private employers added 237k new jobs in August, beating estimates for 185k. Separately, GDP came in at 3%, beating estimates for 2.8% and that helps support the claim that the economy will grow better under President Trump.

Thur & Fri Action:

Stocks rallied on Thursday as the narrative shifted in D.C. to a tax cut. Chicago PMI came in at 58.9, slightly higher than the average estimate of missing estimates of 58.6. Meanwhile, Pending Home Sales fell by -0.8%, missing estimates for again of +0.4%. Before Friday’s open, the Labor Department said, U.S. employers added 156,000 new jobs in August, missing estimates for 180,000. Meanwhile, unemployment rate came in at 4.4%, missing estimates for 4.3%.

Market Outlook: Bulls Are Back In Control

The bulls are back in control and the market remains very strong. As always, keep your losses small and never argue with the tape. Get Our Free e-Book: Learn How To Buy Leading Stocks…EARLY. Get It Here…

Similar Posts

  • Stocks Rally As EU Banks Get Recapitalized

    Market Outlook- In A Correction:
    The major U.S. averages are still in a “correction” as they continue to bounce towards resistance of their 2-month base. The latest follow-through day (FTD) which began on August 23, 2011 has officially ended which means we will continue “counting” days before a new rally can be confirmed. In addition, it is important to note that the bulls scored a victory since many of the major averages closed above their downward sloping 50 DMA lines for the first time since late July! The next stop is September’s highs and then their 200 DMA lines. Our longstanding clients/readers know, we like to filter out the noise and focus on what matters most: market action. . If you are looking for specific help navigating this market, please contact us for more information.
    Fall Sale- We Will Double Your Order!!!
    Limited-Time Offer!
    www.FindLeadingStocks.com

  • 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.

  • Downtrend Is Broken!

    Market Outlook- Market In A Confirmed Rally
    From our point of view, the market is back in a confirmed rally now that all the major averages are back above their respective 50 DMA lines and downward trendlines. Since the beginning of May, we have urged caution as the major averages and a host of commodities began selling off. However, the fact that the pullback was shallow and the market found support at its 50 DMA line in late May, suggests higher, not lower, prices lie ahead. The next level of resistance is the 2011 highs. If you are looking for specific help navigating this market, please contact us for more information.
    Want Better Results?
    You Need Better Ideas!
    We Know Markets!
    Learn How Our Consulting Services Can Help You!

  • Stocks Rally On Healthy Retail Sales Data

    The benchmark S&P 500 Index currently has 5 distribution days while the Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average have 4 since the March 1, 2010 follow-though-day (FTD). These distribution days have not been damaging, however the simple fact that we currently have 5 distribution days for the S&P 500 suggests a more cautious approach may be prudent. Trade accordingly.

Leave a Reply

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