Higher Interest Rates Pound Home Builders Into Bearish Territory

The Housing Market Index (HMI) for May increased to 70 and is just 4 points off its post-recession high set last December. Just don’t tell investors home builders are as confident as ever despite rising rates. Today, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond soared to its highest level in 7 years and settled … Read more

Above the 40 (May 4, 2018) – The Apple Temptation of the Stock Market

AT40 = 53.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 45.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 14.8 Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bearish Commentary I was right to be bearish last week…until the very last day when all at once the market reversed almost all … Read more

KB Home: A Bearish Breakdown Rewards Managing Guidance Higher

For the second time in a row, KB Home (KBH) is struggling to benefit from a strong earnings report. In January, investors rushed into the stock post-earnings only to create a massive blow-off top. In March, sellers started fading the stock on the same day of the initial post-earnings pop. Last week, KBH broke down … Read more

Above the 40 (April 6, 2018) – Barbarians Posturing At the S&P 500’s Support

AT40 = 37.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 40.2% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 21.5 Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary via GIPHY The week ended badly with a 2.2% drop in the S&P 500 (SPY). The week began with the exact same … Read more

Forex Critical: Mexican Peso – A Breakdown and the End of A Trade

When I last wrote about the Mexican peso three months ago, I described the NAFTA-driven context surrounding the breakdown of USD/MXN below its 50-day moving average (DMA). I was still holding onto a long-standing short on USD/MXN. I managed to keep holding this short until Wednesday evening (April 4, 2018). Source: TradingView.com I closed my … Read more

Housing Market Review (March, 2018) – Breakdown Confirmed, Slivers of Remaining Support

The last Housing Market Review covered data reported in February, 2018 for January, 2018. At the time, I connected the dots on the bearish implications of converging technicals and fundamentals. The iShares US Home Construction ETF (ITB) actually managed to hold onto support at its 200-day moving average…until today. So not only is the seasonal … Read more

Above the 40 (April 2, 2018) – Chipping Away At the Market Positives On the Way to Oversold

AT40 = 27.3% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 36.2% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs (new 2-year closing and intraday lows) VIX = 23.6 Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary In my last Above the 40, I tried to highlight the positives even as the negatives … Read more

Above the 40 (March 29, 2018) – A Stock Market Bent Out of Shape But Not Quite Broken

AT40 = 38.7% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 42.4% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 20.0 Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary The bears did their best to spook the market, but they failed to break it down. The foundations felt wobbly for most … Read more

Materials Build On A Bearish Breakdown

This picture is exactly what I do not want to see as the stock market struggles to hold critical technical supports: a major index of economically-sensitive stocks confirming a breakdown of support at its 200-day moving average (DMA). The Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) lost 1.3% on a day when the S&P 500 (SPY) … Read more

Above the 40 (March 27, 2018) – Source of Funds Trading Action

AT40 = 31.2% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 39.4% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 22.5 Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary The market from another planet continues to wobble wildly on its axis. Today was the day for investors to make more withdrawals … Read more