Monday, September 16, 2019

The Morning Call--What happens next in the Middle East?


The Morning Call

9/16/19

The Market
         
    Technical

            The S&P chart is interesting.  It is close to challenging its all-time high; though, as I have already opined, given the positive news flow on trade and central bank easing, I would have thought that challenge would already have been made successfully.  True, technically speaking stocks are overbought and fundamentally speaking some of the trade/monetary policy developments were likely in the price of stocks.  Nonetheless, the question is where will any positive news come from to push prices higher.  Perhaps the bond market is pointing to a stronger economy than is currently priced in.  But if that is the case then central bank policy may become tighter which could potentially break the Market/Fed codependency.   Hanging over all of this speculation is recent increase in volatility, declining liquidity, gap opens and the dramatic reversals in the long bond and gold---all of which increases uncertainty.



            And speaking of the dramatic reversal in TLT performance---a picture is worth a thousand words.  It is rapidly correcting the spike that began in July.  However, it remains above both MA’s and in uptrends across all timeframes.  So, it is way too soon to assume that the trend to lower rates is over.  Nonetheless, all those factors mentioned above creates ambiguity.



            The one chart in the line up that shows little sign of volatility/uncertainty is the dollar.  It continues in a solid uptrend trading above both MA’s and in short and long term uptrends.  It likely reflects the growing dollar shortage much of the result of the lack of confidence in the course of the economy, trade or central bank policy.




            One of the most discernable elements of GLD’s chart is that sharp rise from June finally appears to have run its course.  Not surprising because the math of the rate of acceleration of its price move since June simply couldn’t be sustained on a long term basis.
That doesn’t mean that the longer term trend isn’t still to the upside.  Indeed, gold remains well above both MA’s and in short term and very short term uptrends.  More consolidation is likely.



            The VIX is mirroring the S&P, heading toward its July low (S&P’s high).  Any sign that it could be bottoming/reversing would be leading indicator for stocks.



    Fundamental

       Headlines

            Drone attacks shutdown 5 MBD of Saudi oil production.

Iran says that it is ready for war.

            Did Trump lie about the China phone call?  I have no reason to doubt the veracity of this article.  What the author is missing is that all politicians lie most of the time.  So, this is nothing new.

            Subscriber Alert

            The price of Qualcomm (QCOM) has entered its Sell Half Range.  Accordingly, the Dividend Growth and High Growth Portfolios are Selling one-half of their positions.
           
    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios
 
           

Economics

   This Week’s Data

      US
               
             The September NY Fed manufacturing index was reported at 2.0 versus forecasts of 4.0.

     International

            August Chinese fixed asset investment came in up 5.5% versus estimates of up 5.6%; industrial production was up 4.4% versus 5.2%; retail sales were up 7.5% versus 7.9%

    Other

            IMF estimates the $15 trillion of global direct investment goes into tax havens.

What I am reading today

            2019 finalist in animal wildlife comedy photography awards.

            A second interstellar object is zooming through our solar system.

            Is the establishment changing its tune on Russia?

            Quote of the day.

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