Thursday, June 20, 2019

The Morning Call--Headed for all time highs


The Morning Call

6/20/19

The Market
         
    Technical

The Averages (26504, 2926) were up again yesterday, maintaining the momentum toward a rendezvous with their all-time highs (26656, 2942).  Both ended above their 100 and 200 DMA’s (now support).  However, both indices made a gap up open on Tuesday ---which will need to be filled.  Volume was again to the downside and breadth was mixed.

 VIX was down 5½%, making yesterday another of the many schizophrenic sessions of late, i.e. it declined much more than would normally be associated with a 38 point increase in the Dow.  In doing so, it finished below its 100 DMA (now support; if it remains there through the close on Friday, it will revert to resistance) and set a very short term downtrend.

TLT rose 1/8 % on volume, closing above both MA’s (now support), in a very short term uptrend and is now forty-one cents away from its twenty year high. 

The dollar fell ½%, also on volume, but remained in a short term uptrend and above both moving  averages (now support).  However, it still has that gap up open lower down---which, as you know, I expect will need to be filled.

GLD increased 5/8 %. also on volume, finishing in a short term uptrend, above both MA’s (now support) and remains near the upper boundary of its intermediate term trading range. 

Bottom line:  the Averages are on track to challenge their all-time highs---which if you believe the technical saw that there are no triple tops, is most likely to be successful.   However, on a very short term basis, they still need to close Tuesday’s gap up opens.  Longer term, it is remains disconcerting that volume is low (versus high volume in bonds the dollar and gold which all pointing to recession/or the need for a safety trade), relatively weak breadth and a VIX that is signalling extreme complacency---though that could be changing.
               
Wednesday in the charts.

    Fundamental

       Headlines

            One minor stat yesterday: weekly mortgage/purchase applications declined. 

Overseas, April EU construction output  and the May Japanese trade deficit were better than expected;  the May UK CPI was in line; and the May German and UK PPI’s and the June UK industrial orders index were below estimates.
           
            Latest business cycle risk report.

            Counterpoint.

            Of course, the major headline of the day was the FOMC statement in which it (1) left rates unchanged, but (2) removed the word ‘patient’ from the statement [dovish] and (3) said that uncertainties in the economic outlook have increased [dovish].

            The key statement: ... uncertainties about this outlook have increased. In light of these uncertainties and muted inflation pressures, the Committee will closely monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook and will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion, with a strong labor market and inflation near its symmetric 2 percent objective

            Post FOMC statement.

            The ‘dot plot’.

            Trump should be careful what he wishes for.

            ***overnight, Bank of England leaves rates unchanged.
                   

            Bottom line: the economic data is not improving; and while that doesn’t mean recession, it is not as healthy as the Fed assumes---and the bond, dollar and gold markets are saying exactly that.  To be sure, those investors could be wrong; but my inclination is to believe a market of savvy investors over a bunch of academics with a flawed economic model. 

               Of course, even if the Fed is wrong, it just means that any surprises will be to the more dovish side which under the current paradigm is a plus for the equities.  But what remains to be seen is that if the economy is weaker than the Fed assumes, it subsequently eases faster than is currently expected but that has no impact on the economy, what does Mr. Market do?

                    ***overnight, Iran shoots down US drone.
               https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-06-20/iran-shoots-down-us-drone-says-ready-war            

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios
 
Oracle (NYSE:ORCL): Q4 Non-GAAP EPS of $1.16 beats by $0.08; GAAP EPS of $1.07 beats by $0.18.
Revenue of $11.14B (+1.2% Y/Y) beats by $210M.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) declares $0.24/share quarterly dividend, in line with previous.

Economics

   This Week’s Data

      US

            Weekly jobless claims fell 6,000 versus estimates of a 2,000 decline.

            The June Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index came in at 0.3 versus consensus of 11.0.

            The Q1 trade deficit was $130.4 billion versus expectations of $125.0 billion.

     International

            The April Japanese all industry activity index was reported at 0.9 versus projections of 0.7.

            May UK retail sales dropped 0.5%, in line; ex fuel, the reading was -0.3% versus -0.4%.

    Other

            Debt and deficits are worse than ever.

                Liquidity is an increasing problem in the Chinese financial system.
                 
What I am reading today

            50% of crimes happen in 2% of America.

            Muni bonds mid-year outlook.

            Press your luck.

            How to make better and quicker decisions.

            Quote of the day.

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