ONE-TWENTY TWO: Trading Financial Markets
Exploring the poetry in financial markets for students of money and economy since the year 2000.
Stock Market Commentary: The U.S.’s looming debt ceiling crisis is a manufactured emergency. The whole political wrangling could end in an instant with a very simple decision to keep budget negotiations in the budget process. Thus, the stock market’s relative calm about the political stalemate does not surprise me. Moreover, who are the motivated sellers … Read more
Stock Market Commentary: In the previous week, the stock market put on a display of strength ahead of the Federal Reserve’s May decision on monetary policy. That bravado was temporarily undermined by the final blow to First Republic Bank (FRC). After a one-day pause, presumably to contemplate the implications of the lack of a coherent … Read more
Stock Market Commentary: On a weekly basis, the stock market seems to flip its abiding theme. One week after I accused the stock market of sleepwalking, buyers roused the major indices out of their slumber with a new and sudden display of strength. A 13.9% post-earnings surge from Meta Platforms, Inc (META) seemed to set … Read more
Bitcoin Uptrend Analysis The trend is a friend for Bitcoin (BTC/USD) again. All three of the major moving averages are pointing upward for Bitcoin. This synchronization of the 20-day moving average (DMA), 50DMA, and the 200DMA supports a buy-the-dip strategy after the big March breakout in the wake of the banking Panic of 2023. Assuming … Read more
Stock Market Commentary: Just a week ago, the stock market was teasing oversold conditions. The lingering memories of the Panic of 2023 seemed likely to push the market deeper into oversold territory before sellers exhausted themselves into a market rebound. Buyers decided not to wait. A broad-based buying spree conspired to leave regional banks behind … Read more
Stock Market Commentary: The trade on Generative AI took a surprising turn last week as investors and traders rushed to related names as if they offered safety from the banking Panic of 2023. Some stocks shot straight up for the week. The renewed interest surprised me because I just happened to write about this trade … Read more
Stock Market Commentary: Last week ended the overbought period with a relatively strong report on initial claims for unemployment. The stock market – still freshly stung with the memory of the previous week‘s exceptionally strong jobs report – sold off sharply in response to the good economic news. A stubbornly resilient labor market continues to … Read more
Stock Market Commentary: The stock market had quite a bullish week especially considering another Federal Reserve meeting is right around the corner. The week started with a push into overbought conditions and buyers proceeded to slowly steepen overbought conditions the rest of the week. I am quite surprised by this bullish anticipation ahead of the … Read more
Stock Market Commentary: The S&P 500 defended support at its 200-day moving average (DMA) for the first time in 10 months. The index was down 1.7% at its lows where it pierced its 200DMA and looked ready to challenge its 50DMA. Buyers stepped in at that point and proceeded to reverse the entire loss on … Read more
Stock Market Commentary: Mid-week, fresh drama in crypto looked like the next pivot point for the stock market. Instead, the bout of selling turned into a forgettable speedbump. Buyers returned with force in Bitcoin (BTC/USD), and the major stock indices recovered from major technical breakdowns and tests. In recent weeks, the stock market has bounced … Read more