After four weekly drops in a row, major US stock indices gained last week. Encouragingly for equity bulls, some important patterns have formed technically. More gains are probable. Before last week’s 1.4-percent jump, the S&P 500 suffered four consecutive down … Continued
Foreigners seem to be heavily wagering that the US is headed for a recession. They have been selling US stocks and buying treasury notes/bonds with aggression. On a net basis in October, foreigners sold $24.4 billion in US stocks. Since … Continued
This week is crucial. The FOMC meets, and an inflation report that could potentially impact monetary policy next year is on deck as well. Leading up to this, both large- and small-caps met with heavy selling pressure at crucial resistance. … Continued
Most traders on Wall Street grew up in a low-interest-rate, low-inflation environment. It is hard for them to relate to why Volcker acted the way he did in the late-‘70s/early-‘80s. Greenspan, Bernanke and Yellen operated at a time when inflation … Continued
Last Thursday’s CPI report lit a fire under US stocks. It was as if the FoMO phenomenon was in play in a seasonally strong period. But it is early to adopt a full risk-on mode. By Friday, the S&P 500 … Continued
Inflation is all the focus right now – for the central bank, for stocks and for the average household. The Fed is tightening and wants to see consumer inflation make a dash toward its two percent target. There are incipient … Continued
US equities surprisingly were surprised by Powell’s hawkish message on Wednesday. He seems very determined to bring inflation down no matter what the cost to jobs and the economy. This will have repercussions for earnings, which then will reverberate through … Continued
Ahead of this week’s FOMC, equities seem unsure about the next major move. At this stage, markets want Powell and team to take the fed funds rate north of four percent by year-end. If the Fed manages to sound even … Continued
Next year’s earnings estimates for US companies peaked in April for large-caps and in June for small-caps. Given Powell’s resolve to significantly reduce the current four-decade-high inflation – no matter what the cost to jobs and the economy – the … Continued
On a Fed decision day, both large- and small-caps find themselves at crucial technical juncture. They have both taken a real hit the past five sessions. In the wake of last Friday’s inflation report, markets now expect a 75-basis-point hike … Continued