Monday, April 29, 2019

Monday Morning Chartology


The Morning Call

4/29/19

The Market
         
    Technical

            The S&P’s chart is really self-explanatory.  It has staged a virtually uninterrupted 600 point run and is now a short hair away from its prior all-time high.  The obvious questions are

(1) will it successfully challenge that all-time high?  My guess [operative word] is that it is carrying so much momentum into this challenge, that it will be successful.  Though several factors argue for some consolidation before that occurs [a] the complacency reflected in the VIX, [b] the magnetic pull of the April 1st gap open {which I marked with a red line} and [c] all-time highs tend to be powerful resistance levels.

(2) if it does, what is next?   ~3191.



            TLT continues to rally after bouncing off the lower boundary of its very short term uptrend, meaning that the chart remains technically sound.  In my opinion, the Goldilocks GDP report (growth not too hot, not too cold; inflation well below estimates) suggests little upward pressure on rates (downward pressure on prices).



            I thought a long term chart would help put the recent strength in the dollar into some perspective.  As you can see, it is less than a quarter off its all-time high.  Of course, this is a double edged sword because it could mean either current prices are about as good as it will get or, given the time spent in this long term trading range, a break of that upper boundary would presage much higher prices.



            Gold is rallying; but still faces near term resistance from both its 100 DMA and the upper boundary of its very short term downtrend.  While it remains in a short term uptrend and above its 200 DMA, its chart has been damaged. We will have to wait and see how the technical forces play out---which is technical jargon for I have no clue what comes next.          



            Again, a long term chart for some perspective.  Clearly, the VIX could return to prior lows; but you can see, it didn’t stay there very long on prior occasions.  On the other hand, a break of those levels would suggest a moonshot for stocks.  To be sure, this is only one indicator among many as measures of investor sentiment; but it is an important one to watch.


    Fundamental

       Headlines

            Signs of bank illiquidity? (must read):

              Latest on US/China trade talks.
           

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios
 
           

Economics

   This Week’s Data

      US

            February personal spending was up 0.1% versus estimates of +0.2%; March personal spending was up 0.9% versus +0.7%.

            March personal income was up 0.1% versus forecasts of +0.4%.

            February PCE inflation indicator was up 0.1% versus the January reading of 0.0%; March PCE was up 0.2%.

     International

            April EU business confidence came in at .42 versus expectations of .49; consumer confidence -7.9, in line; services sentiment 11.5 versus 11.1; industrial sentiment -4.1 versus -2; economic sentiment 104 versus 105.

    Other

            Is inflation dead?

            Russia and the Chinese Belt and Road policy (must read):

            Credit card charge-offs are rising.

What I am reading today

            Stock market investing is a game of pain control.

            This question will change your life.

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