Short-Term Pullback in Motion
Over the past week or so, I have gone from a trading range view with perhaps a slightly upward bias to a mild pullback of 3-5%. That’s where I stand today. Stocks sold off very hard on a relative basis from noon to the close on Tuesday as the saber rattling between the U.S. and North Korea continued. President Trump kicked it up a notch. Regardless of the news, the markets were already in a position to pullback as I […]
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Date: August 9, 2017
Economy Good. Markets Less So.
On Friday, the Department of Labor reported that the economy created 209,000 new jobs, which was 26,000 better than expected. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, the lowest level in 16 years. This is just another statistic that supports my thesis that economy is in better shape than the masses realize. You wouldn’t conclude this if you spent your day watching TV. Reality over rhetoric. I don’t care if this is coincidental, Trump’s doing or lack of doing or Congress. […]
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Date: August 8, 2017
Q2 GDP Frustrates Bears. Bezos Still Rich?
The government released its first look at Q2 economic output and the economy grew by 2.6% at first glance. While I would have been happier with more, it’s the second straight quarter that seems to be falling in line with my forecast. Earlier this year, I offered that Q1 GDP would come weak and below expectations with Q2 much stronger. That’s certainly the case today. I am also looking at Q3 to be stronger than Q2 with a shot at […]
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Date: July 28, 2017
Trading Range Continues But Lots Beneath the Surface
Stocks fared fairly well last week in the face of overbought conditions and a few tiny cracks in the pavement. As I continue to offer, I believe the bull market is alive and reasonably healthy, especially for one 9 years old. However, my shorter-term view is that stocks are in a trading range with perhaps a slightly upward bias for the time being. The stock market just doesn’t seem like it wants to launch a fresh leg towards my next […]
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Date: July 24, 2017
Stocks Tired. Energy and Transports of Interest
It’s been nothing short of amazing how many people keep calling for a bear market, correction or even single digit pullback. On top of that, we are now hearing calls that the VIX (volatility indicator) is either broken or no longer works. Lots of sour grapes out there! The bottom line is that the ingredients for a major decline are not present and have not been present for a long while. That’s going to change, but it will take some […]
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Date: July 21, 2017
Bears Move to VIX as Indices All See New Highs
The bears tried to put up a little fight on Tuesday, but that only lasted a few hours and it wasn’t much of a battle. On Wednesday, the bulls came right back with the big guns and a headline close that saw all of the major stock market indices see fresh all-time highs along with high yield bonds. While I had been looking for the Dow, S&P 500, S&P 400 and Russell 2000 to see these levels, I did not […]
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Date: July 20, 2017
Bulls Don’t Want to Quit, But…
The bulls had another strong day on Friday with now the S&P 400 and Russell 2000 on the verge of fresh all-time highs. Semis continue to bounce back. Transports remain strong and discretionary and banks are behaving constructively. Materials and industrials are quietly in high gear and long depressed energy is ticking higher. High yield is also picking up again and you know my feelings on that along with the broad participation seen on the NYSE. Just keep in mind […]
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Date: July 17, 2017
Another Good Day for the Bulls
After a number of short-term victories for the bulls over the past week, the Dow Industrials and Dow Transports scored new all-time highs together, triggering a Dow Theory confirmation or buy signal on Wednesday. While the Dow Industrials were the lone major stock market index to see fresh highs so far, I expect the S&P 500 to follow suit shortly. The S&P 400 and Russell 2000 should not be far behind which would add even more credence to my forecast […]
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Date: July 14, 2017
Dow Theory Says to BUY
After staving off early morning selling on Tuesday, the bulls followed through with a nice little day on Wednesday. As I have discussed, the NASDAQ 100 continues to bounce back and resume leadership. That’s an intermediate-term positive, especially if the index does not lead on the downside during the next pullback. While the Dow was the only major index to score an all-time high on Wednesday, the Dow Theory crowd will point to the transports also hitting an all-time high. […]
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Date: July 13, 2017
NASDAQ 100 Right on Schedule. Gold and Energy Opportunity
For the past month or so, I have focused much of my commentary on the NASDAQ 100 as it had been the far and away market leader before getting hit with the ugly stick from late May to early July. Late last week, things began to change and I saw the NASDAQ 100 looking a little better in the short-term. On Friday, the bulls, especially in tech and the NASDAQ 100 did step up with the anticipated bounce beginning. That’s […]
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Date: July 10, 2017
