Does A Worse than Average S&P 500 In August Mean September Will Also Suffer?

trouble abounds (Credit: Sad Dog by Ink Hog, https://www.flickr.com/photos/34191996@N07/3859862007)

The simple answer is yes! The data show that a worse than average August for the S&P 500 (SPY) increases the likelihood of a worse than average September. I use average to mean the average maximum drawdown as calculated and analyzed in “How to Trade During the Stock Market’s Most Dangerous Months“. In this case, … Read more

The Time Has Come…For A New Overbought Period – The Market Breadth

The Time Has Come For A New Overbought Period – The Market Breadth

Stock Market Commentary This year’s Jackson Hole confab hosted by the Kansas City Federal Reserve delivered for financial markets. In his prepared speech, Fed Chair Jerome Powell issued an historic and classic sound bite for all of the history of monetary policy (emphasis mine): “The time has come for policy to adjust. The direction of … Read more

Another Successful Exit From the 20% Rule for Buying EWZ (Brazil ETF)

An Early Trigger on the 20pct Rule for Buying EWZ (Brazil ETF) (Credit Ana Gaston - https://www.flickr.com/photos/26801385@N00/4960008406)

Just over two months ago, I aggressively bought ahead of an official trigger of the 20% rule for buying iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ). At the time, I explained my decision with three key reasons: I was also well aware that buying early subjected me to additional risks for the trading rule. Thus, I insisted … Read more

Retail Stocks Underline Market’s V-Shaped Recovery from Calamity – The Market Breadth

The S&P 500 (SPY) has made a near full recovery back to all-time highs, bouncing back from the early August calamity.

Stock Market Commentary The stock market’s V-shaped recovery finished reversing most of the losses from the August calamity. Small caps are once again the laggards. During this recovery the market swung from recessions fears to recession relief. The prospects for interest rate cuts no longer seemed to matter on either side of the V-shape. The … Read more

Bulls Hold Firm Against Calamity At the Edge of Critical Trendlines – The Market Breadth

Bulls Hold Firm Against Calamity At the Edge of Critical Trendlines – The Market Breadth (credit Sydney Oats - https://www.flickr.com/photos/57768042@N00/3402464379)

Stock Market Commentary Last week started with a calamity and ended with a restless calm. Critical trendlines held as support as buyers and bulls ground their way to a near full reversal of Monday’s loss. Ironically, the market even found relief in a “better than expected” weekly unemployment claims report. Claims fell 17,000 from the … Read more