Monday, October 2, 2023

Monday Morning Chartology

The Morning Call

 

10/2/23

 

The Market

         

    Technical

 

Last week, the S&P reset its 100 DMA from support to resistance (not good). On the other hand, it traded right down to the lower boundary of its short-term uptrend and bounced. Clearly, a positive. The question is, will it rally just enough to close that big gap down open from the prior week or is the worst over? Bear in mind that we are still in that transition between the most negative late September/early October seasonal period and the most positive holiday/Santa Claus rally---made more uncertain by the fallout from Powell’s post-FOMC ‘higher for longer’ message. Follow through.

 

The latest from Goldman’s trading desk.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/path-least-resistance-chase-higher-hedge-fund-short-selling-ends-stocks-are-bought-first

 

Time for the next leg higher in tech?

https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/magnificent-7-time-next-leg-higher

 

 

 


 

 

Like equities, the long Treasury challenged an important support level (in this case the lower boundary of its long-term trading range) and failed to break through. I think it more significant because the support level it tested was that of a longer-term trend. As I noted last week: If that support level fails, then the chart goes from ugly to frightening and I will sell and take a licking on that small TLT position I initiated several weeks ago. Finally, and again like equities, the gap down open from the prior week needs to be filled.

 

 

 


 

 

Gold took it in the chops last week---two gap down opens, resetting its 200 DMA from support to resistance and not a sign of a bounce. I was a bit surprised by the pin action because usually lower interest rates (the bounce in TLT) and a weaker dollar (see below) are usually a plus for GLD. Likely it was just reflective of the general level of confusion among investors regarding the course of inflation and recession and the Fed’s response thereto.

 

 

 


 

The dollar backed off a bit last week, though it was hardly surprising given its two month rocket ride and the fact that it had pushed above the upper boundary of its short-term trend. I remind you that usually a strong dollar is not a plus for stocks.

 

 

 


 

 

Friday in the charts.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/feds-last-hike-triggers-q3-carnage-traders-sell-all-things-september

 

Three more charts to watch.

https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/3-big-charts-we-are-watching

 

    Fundamental

 

       Headlines

 

              The Economy

                         

                        Last Week Review

 

Lots of data last week, mostly negative, though the primary indicators were balanced (one positive, four neutral, one negative). So, not overwhelmingly downbeat, leaving us in need of follow through to establish a trend and dispel the current uncertainty overhanging the economy/Market. In short, the issues of whether or not (1) inflation is in the rear-view mirror and (2) we will get a ‘soft’ landing are not settled.

                         

Therefore, there is really no reason to alter my recession forecast. My conviction remains weak and the last couple of weeks haven’t helped. I am also maintaining my position that the Fed loosens at the first sign of trouble.

 

Longer term, irrespective of how low inflation goes in the short term, irrespective of whether or not we have a recession and if so, how deep it will be, we are still faced with an economy growing at well below its historic secular rate and a base rate of inflation above 2%.

 

Correcting those self-inflicted wounds won’t be easy. It will take years of fiscal and monetary restraint to do so. And that would mean less fiscal stimulus and interest rates staying higher for longer than many now expect---which unfortunately is not apt to happen.

                                              

              The Economy

 

                        US

                                          

                        International

 

The September Chinese manufacturing PMI came in at 50.2 versus 50.0; the nonmanufacturing PMI was 51.7 versus 52.0; the composite PMI was 52.0 versus 52.6; the September Chinese Caixin (small business) manufacturing PMI was 50.6 versus 51.2; the nonmanufacturing PMI was 50.2 versus 52.6; the composite PMI was 50.9 versus 53.0; the September Japanese manufacturing PMI was 45.5 versus 48.8; the nonmanufacturing PMI was 27.0 versus 24.0; the September German manufacturing PMI was 39.6 versus 39.8; the September EU manufacturing PMI was 43.4, in line; the September UK manufacturing PMI was 44.3 versus 44.2.

 

                       Other

 

                 The Fed

 

                   Time to rein it in.

                   https://www.zerohedge.com/political/time-end-fed-and-its-mismanagement-our-economy

 

                 Government Shutdown                                  

 

                   DC high jinks.

                   https://www.zerohedge.com/political/no-ukraine-funds-mccarthy-throws-11th-hour-hail-mary-avert-shutdown

 

       Bottom line

 

                 The latest from BofA

                 https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/its-such-fine-line-michael-hartnetts-big-15-charts

 

    Morgan Stanley: Market starting to question ‘higher for longer.’

     https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/michael-wilson-market-beginning-question-higher-longer-narrative

 

 

      News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

 

 

What I am reading today

 

            This winter is going to be different.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/weather/us-meteorologist-warns-winter-year-going-be-very-different-el-nino-ramps

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