Economic Reality: Unemployment and the Federal Reserve Balance Sheet

In early July, I rolled out an “economic reality” index to provide a sober summary of the economic trials and tribulations facing millions of Americans even as those of us with trades and investments in the stock market enjoy the largesse of monetary and fiscal stimulus. I am now putting the chart comparing continuing claims … Read more

Bottoming U.S. Dollar Ends Bargain Shopping in Mexican peso, South African rand

The U.S. dollar index (DXY) continues to pivot around its 200-day moving average (DMA). Last week, the U.S. dollar bounced before retesting the lows from March. The U.S. dollar now looks ready to challenge its 200DMA as resistance; it will likely complete another cycle by rallying at least to the previous highs above the 200DMA. … Read more

Stock Market Launches Deeply Into Overbought Trading Conditions – Above the 40 (April 29, 2020)

AT40 (T2108) soared to 82.6% and started overbought conditions at extreme levels.

Stock Market Statistics AT40 = 82.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) (first oversold day)AT200 = 17.7% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAsVIX = 31.2Short-term Trading Call: neutral Stock Market Commentary On Tuesday, AT40 (T2108), the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs), rallied … Read more

A $2.3 Trillion End to An Extreme Oversold Period in the Stock Market – Above the 40 (April 10, 2020)

AT40 = 24.4% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) (ended 31-day oversold period)AT200 = 10.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAsVIX = 41.7Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Stock Market Commentary “The Federal Reserve on Thursday took additional actions to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to support … Read more

The U.S. Dollar Remains Well-Supported Despite A Month of Wild Swings

When the stock market sell-off began in earnest in late February, the U.S. dollar index (DXY) surprisingly plunged along with the major indices. I accepted the narrative explaining that the dollar’s decline came from the euro’s gain as “risk-off” traders rushed to close out euro shorts in carry trades. The swiftness of the risk-off move … Read more