Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Yhe Morning Call--Yesterday's pin action was inconclusive


The Morning Call

3/26/19

The Market
         
    Technical

The Averages (DJIA 25516, S&P 2798) rested (Dow up slightly, S&P down slightly) after a big Friday.   However minor its decline, the S&P still finished below the lower boundary of its very short term uptrend (if it remains there through the close today, that trend will be voided) and, more importantly, below the critical 2800 level (clearly below other technicians 2811/2815 resistance quad top).   This pin action was about as inconclusive as it could possibly be.  So, I am going to wait for a bigger move, in either direction, below coming to a conclusion about price direction.

            And.

                Update on margin debt.

Volume fell and breadth was mixed.

The VIX declined 1%, attempting for a second day in a row to challenge its 200 DMA but failing.  It continues to mirror the S&P closely. 

The long bond rose on high volume, continuing to suggest more upside.  But remember, it gapped open last Friday and usually those gaps are closed.  At the risk of stating the obvious, bond investors are clearly expecting further rate declines (a weaker economy).

            And.

            But global bond markets are signaling lower rates/economic slowdown.

The dollar was up unchanged, ending with a positive chart (above both MA’s, in a short term uptrend and above a prior low). 

GLD continued its advance (up ¾ %) off a minor double bottom and remains above both MA’s and in a short term uptrend.

Bottom line: the S&P remains at an important crossroads, with Monday’s pin action providing little guidance.  To be sure, it closed below 2800; but not with enough authority to be directionally informative.

TLT, GLD and UUP are, at the moment, pointing to lower interest rates/a weaker economy.

            How the shakeout in US markets are reverberating around the globe.

            Monday in the charts.

    Fundamental

       Headlines

            Yesterday’s economic stats were mixed: the February Chicago Fed national activity index came in below expectations while the March Dallas Fed was above.

            Overseas, the data was also mixed: the January Japanese all activity index was below estimates while the March German business climate index was above.

            There was a lot of political headlines yesterday, but the only economic development that bears mentioning was the continuing decline in interest rates.
                         
Bottom line: I have beat the whole Fed policy U turn and the fall in interest rates to death since last Wednesday.  So I am not going to be repetitious except to say that the more powerful the move down in rates, the more likely I will have to lower my 2019/2020 economic growth forecast; and I am below consensus, so imagine the impact on stock prices of declining outlook for the economy and corporate earnings from the main stream pundits.

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios
 
FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS): Non-GAAP EPS of $2.42 beats by $0.08; GAAP EPS of $2.19.
Revenue of $354.9M (+5.9% Y/Y) misses by $1.56M.

Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL) declares $0.21/share quarterly dividend, in line with previous.

Economics

   This Week’s Data

      US

            The March Dallas Fed manufacturing index was reported at 8.3 versus estimates of 7.0.

                February housing starts fell 8.7% versus forecasts of down 28.3%; building permits declined 1.6% versus expectations of -0.6%.

     International

    Other

Fake goods hit a half a trillion dollars in trade.

Brexit update.

What I am reading today

            Three reasons that your retirement shouldn’t hinge on social security.

            Quote of the day.

            Never confuse luck with being smart.

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