Above the 40 (August 10, 2017) – The Stock Market’s Bearish Divergence Resolves Into Broad Selling

AT40 = 35.0% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 48.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 16.0 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary The sellers finally put on a show complete with follow-through and a strong finish. The S&P 500 (SPY) cleaved right … Read more

Above the 40 (August 9, 2017) – A Stock Market Pushing Against A Bearish Divergence

AT40 = 45.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 53.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 11.1 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: neutral (first day of downgrade) Commentary The stock market had a weak open but a strong close. On the heels of ratcheting … Read more

Above the 40 (August 3, 2017) – The S&P 500 Makes Another Bearish Divergence With A Fresh Twist

AT40 = 49.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 55.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 10.4 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Commentary Here we go again. Last week, the S&P 500 slipped but did not fall off the edge. In my … Read more

Above the 40 (July 27, 2017) – The S&P 500 Slips, Not Falls, Off the Edge

AT40 = 58.7% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 59.4% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 10.3 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Commentary When AT40 (T2108), the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs), fades from overbought status, … Read more

Above the 40 (July 26, 2017) – A Stock Market Floating Higher And Still On the Edge

AT40 = 63.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 60.3% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 9.6 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Commentary The stock market had a relatively bland day that matched a relatively bland statement on monetary policy from the … Read more

Above the 40 (July 21, 2017) – A Stock Market Soaring High But On the Edge

AT40 = 64.0% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 60.4% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 9.4 (volatility index) (2nd lowest VIX since at least 1990!) Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Commentary The S&P 500 (SPY) is soaring high since its impressive breakout two … Read more

Above the 40 (July 18, 2017) – A Food-Borne Breakdown and Classic Post-Earnings Gaps

AT40 = 61.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 59.8% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 9.9 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Commentary The S&P 500 (SPY) closed effectively flatline with a point and a half gain. The NASDAQ returned to the … Read more

Above the 40 (June 20, 2017) – Buyers Fail to Follow-Through As the S&P 500 Goes On Notice

AT40 = 52.8% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 56.3% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 10.9 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Commentary The Fed hikes short-term rates, and long-term rates go down. This relationship is not the expected one but is … Read more

Another Chicken Run for Restaurant Brands With El Pollo Loco Rumors

A little over two years ago, El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO), a quick serve restaurant that “offers individual and family-sized chicken meals, Mexican-inspired entrees, sides, and, alternative proteins,” was mentioned as a potential acquisition target of Jollibee Foods Corp, the largest fast food franchisor in the Philippines. LOCO closed that day at $26.25 and with … Read more

A Chicken-Fueled Pairs Trade: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Versus Restaurant Brands

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. (PLKI) is one expensive stock, especially for a (fried chicken) restaurant: trailing P/E of 36.2, forward P/E of 28.9, price/sales of 5.5, and price/book of 187.4. PLKI most recently reported 4.7% year-over-year revenue growth and -1.9% earnings growth. (Data from Yahoo Finance). According to briefing.com, year-over-year revenue growth has stagnated in … Read more