Tensions Over Rates and Borders Lock In the Churn – The Market Breadth

Stock Market Commentary: At mid-week, the stock market looked poised to put on a defiant display of buying power. However, multiple negative headlines proved too much to bear. Hawkish Fed-speak greased the skids on Thursday. Another hot inflation report and escalating tensions at the Ukrainian border sealed the deal for angst to rule the day. … Read more

Hawkish Yet Uncertain: A Toxic Elixir from the Fed for Stocks

There was a hopeful narrative going into the last week’s Federal Reserve meeting that Fed Chair Jerome Powell and company would emerge more dovish. The stock market’s sell-off this year could frighten the Fed into standing down from its earlier insistence about tightening monetary policy. Not only did Powell stride into the press conference unbowed … Read more

A Forlorn Stock Market Sends A Love Note to the Fed – The Market Breadth

Stock Market Commentary: The stock market is expressing its disappointment with the Federal Reserve’s plans to tighten monetary policy. The Fed will have the backdrop of a sharp market sell-off when it meets this week to further execute on those plans. Like a forlorn partner, stocks sent a wistful love note to the Fed asking … Read more

Choppiness Toppiness – The Market Breadth

Stock Market Commentary The stock market survived a choppy week. The churn almost looked like stabilization after a disappointing start to the new year. However, the attempt to absorb the news of a hawkish Fed is taking its toll in the form of toppiness. With each passing day I get more and more wary about … Read more

A Surge And A Major Fade Ring in the New Year – The Market Breadth

Stock Market Commentary The strong end to 2021 mattered for just one day so far in 2022. Presumably fresh passive investments helped create a broad surge on the first day of the year. Wednesday’s release of the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s December meeting changed everything. Apparently, the Fed talk sounded a lot more hawkish … Read more