Can the Market’s Healing Begin (aka Fed to the Rescue)? – Above the 40 (January 27, 2020)

AT40 = 45.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 55.3% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 18.2Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bearish Stock Market Commentary I am so accustomed to the stock market’s resilience that I am already looking ahead to the rebound scenarios from … Read more

U.S. Dollar Wavers In the Wake Of Extended Fed Dovishness

The U.S. dollar index (DXY) confirmed another 200DMA breakdown.

U.S. Dollar Breakdown In the wake of the Federal Reserve’s last pronouncements on monetary policy, the U.S. dollar index (DXY) sold off and confirmed its latest breakdown below its 200-day moving average (DMA). This latest 200DMA breakdown looks more damaging than other episodes. For example, the U.S. dollar index extended further below its 200DMA than … Read more

Home Builders: Pressures Mount As Interest Rates Rise

The Pressure The optimism continues to build in financial markets over the prospect for finalizing the “Partial” or “Phase One” deal on the U.S. vs China Trade War. That optimism translates into slightly higher growth expectations which in turns translates into higher interest rates. Even the Fed Fund Futures stay below 50% odds for another … Read more

The U.S. Dollar Resumes Its Dance With Long-Term Support

The U.S. dollar index (DXY) has bounced along its 200DMA support all year long.

With the U.S. dollar index (DXY) last tested its 200-day moving average (DMA) support, I pondered the possibilities for a breakdown. The U.S. dollar index typically sustains moves through its 200DMA, whether a breakout or a breakdown, so I braced myself for the need to jettison my long dollar positions. Instead of follow-through, the U.S. … Read more

Still No (Trade War) Resolution In the Stock Market – Above the 40 (October 18, 2019)

AT40 = 56.7% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs)AT200 = 49.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAsVIX = 14.3Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bearish Stock Market Commentary No Resolution The stock market did little to resolve my lingering skepticism over the meaningfulness of the “Phase One” or partial Trade … Read more

A Stock Market Pivot Around Overbought As Indices Fail At Highs – Above the 40 (September 20, 2019)

AT40 = 69.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs)AT200 = 56.3% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs (13-month high)VIX = 15.3Short-term Trading Call: neutral Stock Market Commentary A Broken Record Last week had some big moments. Looking back, the week looks like a broken record. The Federal Reserve … Read more

Stock Market Stalls At Overbought Threshold As Momentum Stocks Retreat – Above the 40 (September 13, 2019)

AT40 (T2108) has stalled perfectly at the overbought threshold of 70%.

AT40 = 67.8% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 58.8% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs (13-month high)VIX = 13.7Short-term Trading Call: neutral Stock Market Commentary Overbought Overrules Times like these remind me of the significance of the overbought line. AT40 (T2108), the percentage of stocks … Read more

Trade War Realities Weigh More Heavily

The Australian dollar versus the Japanese yen (AUD/JPY) is back to trading at levels last seen in the immediate wake of the financial crisis. A declining AUD/JPY helps to expose the intensifying risk-off sentiment in financial markets.

An Inescapable Truth In June, 2018, I made the following claims and observations (with fresh emphasis): “…at the end of the day, Trump is determined to drive the U.S. trade deficit as close to zero as possible. This cannot happen without some substantial economic disruptions. To the extent the market refuses to price in these … Read more

The 401K Stock Market Chokes On A Powell and Trade War Sandwich – Above the 40 (August 23, 2019)

AT40 = 28.8% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 39.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs (2-month low)VIX = 19.9Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish (see caveats below) Stock Market Commentary Presidential Decrees “Q    Six hundred and twenty-three points — that’s what the Dow was down today … Read more

Fed Waffling and Trade War Expansion Reject Market from Overbought – Above the 40 (August 1, 2019)

The S&P 500 (SPY) lost 3.1% for the week. Buyers just barely pushed the index off its intraday low to on Friday to close above 50DMA support.

AT40 = 41.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 49.8% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 17.6 (high of 20.1)Short-term Trading Call: neutral Stock Market Commentary A Pause of Recognition I am writing about financial markets at a time when there is renewed pain … Read more