Thursday, May 20, 2021

The Morning Call---Talking about talking about tapering

 

The Morning Call

 

5/20/21

 

The Market

         

    Technical

 

            The S&P again ended below the lower boundary of its short term uptrend; if it remains there through the close on Friday, it will reset to a trading range.  However, it did so on another gap down open---which has to be filled.

 

            Wednesday in the charts.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/crypto-crude-crappy-stocks-dumpnpump-dollar-treads-water

 

            Update on margin debt.

            https://www.advisorperspectives.com/dshort/updates/2021/05/19/margin-debt-and-the-market-up-another-3-in-april-continues-record-trend

 

    Fundamental

 

       Headlines

 

              The Economy

 

                        US

 

                          Weekly jobless claims came in at 444,000 versus expectations of 450,000.

 

                        International

 

March Japanese machinery orders rose 3.7% versus estimates of +6.4%; its April trade balance was +Y255.3 billion versus +Y140.0 billion.

 

April German PPI was reported at +0.8%, in line.

 

                        Other

 

                          The surge in economic noise.

                          http://www.capitalspectator.com/beware-the-surge-in-economic-noise/

                          But is it noise?

 

                          Architecture billings strong in April.

                          https://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2021/05/aia-architecture-design-activity.html

 

            The Fed

 

The main headline of the day was the release of the minutes from the latest FOMC meeting.  They show the Fed (1) sees improvement in the economy, (2) but it is still a long way from meeting the Fed’s objectives, (3) meanwhile, inflation will be transitory BUT (4) several members did suggest that talk of tapering should begin soon if the economy continues to grow---so we are at the stage where the Fed is ‘talking about talking about tapering’.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/stale-fomc-minutes-spook-market-number-participants-want-taper-discussion-begin-soon

 

                          The Fed is monetizing the federal debt.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/fed-alert-overnight-reverse-repo-usage-soars-above-covid-crisis-highs

 

                          Money supply growth slowed in March but is still increasing at a torrid pace.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/money-supply-growth-finally-slows-march-drops-10-month-low

 

 

            Inflation

 

              Is a new inflationary era coming? (must read).

              https://lawliberty.org/book-review/a-new-inflationary-era/

 

              Is ‘homeowners equivalent rent’ about to accelerate?

              https://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2021/05/lawler-is-owners-equivalent-rent-index.html

 

            The coronavirus

 

Here is an analysis that only the doomsayers could love.  I include it not because I  agree but to present a counterpoint.  As you read the article, just substitute ‘flu’ or ‘bad cold’ for ‘covid’ to see how much sense it makes.  No where in the analysis are the stats on infections/deaths quoted.  Nor is there any discussion of the economic/health casualties that were imposed by the lockdown.  It is one thing if covid = bubonic plague or Ebola; it is another if covid = a bad case of the flu. 

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2021/05/an-indictment-of-us-covid-policy.html

 

Counterpoint (must read):

https://thefederalist.com/2021/05/18/read-mitch-daniels-charge-to-graduates-the-biggest-risk-of-all-is-that-we-stop-taking-risks-at-all/

 

An even better one.

https://notthebee.com/article/this-10-year-old-completely-demolished-his-school-boards-mask-mandates

 

     Bottom line.

 

            Have  a plan.

            https://ritholtz.com/2021/05/gut-check/

 

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

 

Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO): FQ3 Non-GAAP EPS of $0.83 beats by $0.01; GAAP EPS of $0.68 in-line.

Revenue of $12.8B (+6.8% Y/Y) beats by $230M.

 

Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL): FQ2 GAAP EPS of $0.42 beats by $0.01.

Revenue of $2.61B (+7.9% Y/Y) beats by $200M.

 

What I am reading today

 

            Stretching your money in retirement.

            https://humbledollar.com/2021/05/work-in-progress/

 

            New pictures of Jupiter.

            https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/new-pix-of-jupiter-will-rock-your-very-very-large-world

 

 

Visit Investing for Survival’s website (http://investingforsurvival.com/home) to learn more about our Investment Strategy, Prices Disciplines and Subscriber Service.

 

 

 

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