Forex Critical – Turkish Lira Gains Fresh Strength on Central Bank and Political Moves

On May 10th, the Turkish lira finally sprung back to life after USD/TRY hit a 7-month high. The move came right on the heels of another move by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) to adjust its reserve requirements in a way to support the currency: “Considering the latest developments in financial … Read more

Above the 40 (May 9, 2019) – A Coordinated Yet Precarious Stock Market Dance Around Key Trendlines

AT40 = 45.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs)AT200 = 48.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAsVIX = 19.1Short-term Trading Call: neutral Stock Market Commentary President Trump carried through on his threat to increase tariffs on China while at the same time tantalizing markets with fresh hope over … Read more

Forex Critical: Mexican Peso Races Past Border Threats

When U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico last November, the U.S. dollar was in the process of making a major top against the Mexican peso (USD/MXN). When Trump threatened a border closure again on March 29th, oddly enough, a minor relief rally in USD/MXN came to an end. At … Read more

Above the 40 (December 24, 2018) – Oversold Chronicles: An Epic Reversal, Historic Depths, and an End to Hubris

AT40 = 3.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) (oversold day #7, 10-year low!)AT200 = 8.0% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs (9 1/2- year low!)VIX = 36.1 (1-day gain of 20.0%, 10 1/2- month high)Short-term Trading Call: bullish (oh so many caveats below!) Commentary Although it’s been … Read more

Above the 40 (October 10, 2018) – The Stock Market Cascades Down to Oversold Territory

AT40 = 16.7% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) (a drop of 14.2 percentage points to an 8-month low and the first day of an oversold period) AT200 = 38.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs (a drop of 7.6 percentage points to a 6-month low) VIX = … Read more

Above the 40 (July 20, 2018) – Bored With Economic Wars: The S&P 500 Meanders Through Minefields

AT40 = 57.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = N/A% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 12.9 Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary I remain fascinated by the S&P 500’s increasing resilience to worsening macro-economic headlines. The apparent boredom with the headlines about trade wars, … Read more

Above the 40 (June 20, 2018) – A Stock Market Divergence Made for Bears, Bulls, and Volatile Narratives

AT40 = 65.8% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 55.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs (a 4-month high) VIX = 12.8 Short-term Trading Call: bearish Commentary The stock market is oozing with divergences as a result of global trade wars, especially the escalating spat between … Read more

A Path Higher for the U.S. Dollar: A Shrinking Trade Deficit

It is increasingly clear that President Trump and his administration will relentlessly pursue a goal of balanced trade with the rest of the world. Trump sees negative trade balances as an absolute bad, and his fiery political rhetoric highlights that positioning. If my interpretation is correct, then I want to stay net long the U.S. … Read more

Above the 40 (March 23, 2018) – A Stock Market From Another Planet: Yet Another Oversold Test Looms

AT40 = 25.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 37.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs (2-year closing low) VIX = 24.9 Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary On Friday, President Trump characterized the pre-Trump stock market as something “from another planet.” Surely he meant the last … Read more

Above the 40 (March 13, 2018) – Here We Go Again – Stock Market Trips Over Trade War Talk

AT40 = 48.7% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 51.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 16.4 Short-term Trading Call: bullish Commentary It’s like deja vu again. The smoke just barely cleared from defusing Trump’s tripwire over trade wars, and now the market is … Read more