Monday, December 14, 2020

Monday Morning Chatology

 

The Morning Call

 

12/14/20

 

The Market

 

    Technical

 

            The S&P experienced a very minor hiccup last week, breaking a very, very short term uptrend.  Given the extent to which the Market is stretched not only fundamentally but also technically to the upside, some consolidation is not surprising.  Indeed, I am surprised that the retreat so far has been as minimal as it has been.  So, I expect more downside.  However, my position remains that as long as QEInfinityForever is operative or until investors lose faith in the Fed, the trend is up.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/irrational-exuberance-bulls-remain-control


 

            Last week, the long bond reset its short term trend from up to a trading range; but then quickly recovered above the former lower boundary of that uptrend.  So, the question is, which move is the outlier? the reset of the short term trend or the subsequent resurgence?  That is more than just a technical question.  As you know, I spent some time and ink last week speculating whether or not TLT’s technical breakdown was a signal that inflation/higher rates (and all that could mean for stocks, gold and the dollar) were in our future.  The question is, was that all much ado about nothing?  I don’t know.  Stay tuned.

            https://sentimentrader.com/blog/interest-rates-turn-golden/

 

                The probability of stagflation is rising.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/probability-stagflation-rising


 

                A hint to the above uncertainty is the performance of the dollar.  It continues to get hammered---which suggests concern about inflation.

 

 


On the other hand, a declining dollar should be pushing gold prices higher.  But it hasn’t, at least for the last four months.  Of course, longer term, GLD remains in uptrends across all timeframes and above both DMA.  Nonetheless, this chart contributes to my underlying uncertainty surrounding inflation and interest rates.    

 


 

            Friday in the charts.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/dow-clings-30k-amid-ipopalooza-bonds-rally-brexit-bailout-busts

 

 

    Fundamental

 

       Headlines

 

              The Economy

 

                         Review of last week

 

The stats were negative, breaking a three week positive trend.  But there were no primary indicators reported. However, odds of it being an outlier are small given the considerable uncertainty over a stimulus bill and the  proliferation of holiday lockdowns.

http://www.capitalspectator.com/us-economic-recovery-at-risk-as-coronavirus-rages/

 

The latest Q4 nowcasts.

https://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2020/12/q4-gdp-forecasts.html

 

Overseas, the indicators were again very positive and for a third week in a row.  But we need more consistency in the trend of the data to start getting upbeat. 

           

Whatever the shape or magnitude of the near term bounce back, I am not altering my belief that long term the economy will grow at a historically subpar secular rate due to the twin burdens of egregiously irresponsible fiscal and monetary policies---which, by the way, are becoming even more egregiously irresponsible as a result of measures being taken by the government and the Fed in dealing with the current crisis.

             

                                US

 

 

                        International

                           

October EU industrial production was up 2.1% versus estimates of +2.0%.

 

November German PPI came in at +0.1%, in line.

                       

Other

 

48% of small businesses fear that they may have to shut down               permanently.

                        https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/48-us-small-businesses-fear-they-may-be-forced-shut-down-permanently-soon

                                               

 

             The Fed

 

               Central banks are creating a Frankenbull market.

               https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/bofa-central-banks-are-buying-13-billion-assets-every-hour-creating-frankenbull-market

 

                          93% of global economies are contracting and stocks are at all time highs.

               https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/2020-ending-93-global-economies-contracting-and-markets-all-time-highs

 

            Bottom line.  Remaining disciplined in a volatile market.    

             https://www.pragcap.com/the-psychology-of-the-stock-market-in-one-image/

           

 

 

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

           

AT&T (NYSE:T) declares $0.52/share quarterly dividend, in line with previous.

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) declares $0.58/share quarterly dividend, in line with previous.

What I am reading today

           

Quote of the day.

Quotation of the Day... - Cafe Hayek

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