Monday, May 13, 2024

Monday Morning Chartology

 

 

5/13//24

 

The Market

         

    Technical

 

Last week, the S&P successfully challenged its 50 DMA (now support) and is now challenging the upper boundary of its short term uptrend. Clearly, the very short term momentum is to the upside; but that short term upper boundary could slow things down. If not, the next resistance is at the all-time high (~5264).

 

Equities bounce back ending April correction.

Equities Bounce Back Ending The April Correction - RIA (realinvestmentadvice.com)

 

What volatility?

https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/vacuum-bull-0

 

 


 

The long bond was flat on the week, leaving it (1) below all DMAs (2) in downtrends across all time frames, including a very short term one that encompasses five lower highs. Too soon to be betting on lower rates.

 

 

 


 

 

GLD has been unusually volatile in the past three weeks, see sawing up and down and making four sizable gap up/down opens. I don’t have a lot of directional confidence in gold right now; but if it breaks to new highs, I will add to my GDX (gold miners ETF) trading position.

 

Goldman sees higher gold prices.

https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/most-central-bank-gold-buying-unreported-stunning-new-report-goldman-expects

 

 

 


 

The dollar was up slightly on the week, unsuccessfully challenging its 200 DMA (remains support). That leaves it above the lower boundary of its very short term uptrend as well as its 50, 100 and 200 DMAs. On the other hand, it is in a short term downtrend. It remains out of step with GLD and TLT and as a result, my puzzlement over its pin action continues.

 


 

 

 

            Friday in the charts.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/stocks-end-week-muted-note-stagflation-fears-mount

 

            More charts.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/pain-trades-and-choppy-markets

 

    Fundamental

 

       Headlines

 

              The Economy

 

                        Week in review

 

Last week’s stats were almost nonexistent (no primary indicators); but what was, was mixed. So, no new insight on economic growth or inflation.

 

The one thing that I will note is that some of the economists that I respect the most are starting to express concern over a potential recession (after I just changed my call). The good news is that they agree that nothing is imminent but worry that several important preconditions are starting to show up. That is not enough for me to alter my forecast. Indeed, as long as the employment numbers hold firm, I will stick with the ‘muddle through’ scenario.

 

Strong economy. Think again.

https://brownstone.org/articles/strong-economy-think-again/

 

I continue to believe that inflation is as good as its going to get absent a more fiscally responsible congress and less compliant Fed. Clearly, I don’t believe the ‘higher for longer’ storyline the Fed is trying to sell.

 

Bottom line:

 

(1)   as long as the government pursues its current spend, spend policy, I don’t see us making any further progress in lowering the inflation rate. Indeed, I don’t think that the Fed has any choice but to continue monetizing the government IOUs.

 

(2)   the economy seems to be returning to its pre-covid sluggish growth path---the result primarily of the ‘crowding out’ effects of irresponsible government spending/financing.

                                

                                               

                        US

 

                        International

 

           

                        Other

 

            The Fed

 

              Getting monetary policy back on track.

              https://www.aier.org/article/getting-monetary-policy-back-on-track/

 

Why rate hikes aren’t off the table. The only factor not considered in this commentary is the past cowardly performance of the Fed.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/09/business/economy/federal-reserve-powell-raise-interest-rates.html

 

            Fiscal Policy

 

To be sure, Bush and Trump tax cuts have been partially responsible for the fiscal mess we now find ourselves in. What these authors clearly ignore is the ‘drunken sailor’ spending spree of the congress (which includes republicans) and Biden administration.

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/permanently-extending-the-trump-tax-cuts-would-cost-4-trillion-over-the-next-decade/

 

              Your Money at work.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/your-tax-dollars-work-75-billion-has-produced-just-7-charging-stations-across-four-states

 

            Recession

 

              Update on Recession Alert Weekly Economic Indicator.

              https://www.advisorperspectives.com/dshort/updates/2024/05/10/recession-weekly-leading-economic-index

 

              The latest Q2 GDP nowcasts.

              https://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2024/05/q2-gdp-tracking-3.html

 

              Goldman’s growing pessimism about the consumer.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/goldman-warns-consumers-are-cracking-stagflation-threats-emerge

 

     Bottom line.

 

In praise of extending bond maturities---but only if you think inflation has peaked.

            https://www.advisorperspectives.com/commentaries/2024/05/10/cost-of-cash-6-trillion-question-pimco

 

            Why liquidity is so important.

            The Investment "Holy Grail" Doesn't Exist - RIA (realinvestmentadvice.com)

 

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

 

What I am reading today

 

            Monday morning humor:

 



 

 

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