Tuesday, November 7, 2017

The Morning Call--What is happening in Saudi Arabia and does it mean anything?

The Morning Call

11/7/17

The Market
         
    Technical

The indices (DJIA 23548, S&P 2591) were up slightly on the day (still the relentless drive higher).  Volume was flat; breadth improved marginally.  Both remain above their 100 and 200 day moving averages and are in uptrends across all time frames. 

The VIX (9.4) was up 2 7/8 %---finishing below the upper boundary of its short term downtrend, below 100 day moving average (now resistance), below its 200 day moving average (now resistance) and below the lower boundary of its long term trading range for the second day (if it remains there through the close on Wednesday, it will reset to a downtrend).  It is on the verge of a directional change, indicating continued higher stock prices.  The only remaining question is, will it successfully challenge its July low 8.8)?

This is a bit long and in the weeds, but it helps explain the building price risk not just in the VIX but in stocks (medium):

The long Treasury was up, ending above its 200 day moving average (now support), above the lower boundaries of its short term trading range and long term uptrend and above its 100 day moving average for the second day (now resistance; if it remains there through today [in the Closing Bell, I said Monday---my mistake], it will revert to support).  It is a short hair away from a trend change---pointing to lower long term rates or a safety trade. (both must reads):

            And:

The dollar fell, still ending below its 200 day moving average (now resistance), back below the upper boundary of its short term downtrend, but above its 100 day moving average (now support) and continues to develop a very short term uptrend. 

GLD rose 7/8 %, finishing above its 100 day moving average (now resistance; if it remains there through the close on Wednesday, it will revert to support), above but still close to its 200 day moving average (support) and the lower boundary of a short term uptrend.  Again, potential trend change, I just don’t know which direction.

 Bottom line: long term, the indices remain strong viz a viz their moving averages and uptrends across all timeframes. Short term, they are above the resistance level marked by their August highs, meaning that there is no resistance between current price levels and the upper boundaries of the Averages long term uptrends. The technical assumption has to be that stocks are going higher.
           
Trading in UUP, GLD and TLT were again out of sync with themselves, the VIX and stocks, but seem to be pointing at a change in trends---in different directions.

I remain uncomfortable with the overall technical picture.
           
    Fundamental

       Headlines

            No economic data was released either here or abroad.  But there was still some noteworthy items:

(1)   Merger Monday: Broadcom/QCOM: rumors DIS/FOX

(2)   the house has begun marking up the GOP tax bill.  It is pretty much a given that the bill will change.  Just to be sure to gain valuable camera time, McCain says tax reform dead in the senate (medium):

(3)   rumors Trump is drafting executive order to eliminate Obamacare individual mandated (medium):

(4)   NY Fed head, Dudley resigning early (medium).  As a middle of the road kind of guy, his replacement will have significance:
           
(5)   Middle East in an uproar that is driving oil prices higher.

                  Second Saudi prince killed in shoot out (short):
 
                  Lebanese PM resigns (medium):

                        ***overnight, Saudi Arabia says Lebanon declared war against it (medium):

                        Or is it all about the money? Or both? (medium):

Bottom line: following a week of big economic releases and major fiscal/monetary developments, this one may a bit calmer.  Few data reports, Trump is gone, the house is busy trying to improve tax reform.  That should keep the animal spirits flowing with no major worries to be faced immediately and the M&A space heating up a bit---the latter being a perfect example of why cutting the taxes on these huge corporations are not going to increase investment and create jobs.  They will just use the money to buy back stock (to improve their bonuses) and buy other companies (which will invariably lead to the elimination of ‘duplicate’ expenses, i.e. jobs).

  Having said that, some idiot will lob a missile into a crowd. But I am sure that everything will remain awesome.

                My thought for the day: Be careful when reading about how stupid investors can be and not realize you're reading about yourself.

       Investing for Survival
   
            Investment apathy and realizing your financial goals.
               

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios
 
Economics

   This Week’s Data

   Other

            Nouriel Roubini on tax reform (medium):

            More on the EU economy’s improving growth (medium):

            On the other hand, more on the internal EU banking imbalances (medium):

            Framing lumber prices up sharply (short):

            Hotel occupancy strong (short):

Politics

  Domestic

The Paradise Papers (a brief explanation):

  International

            The post WWII history of US war making (medium):

           
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