Rough but not unexpected.

Rough but not unexpected, is how I would describe yesterdays price action.  The 2018 bull run has been like a 5-year old hopped up on sugar and caffeine.  It’s a blast while it lasts, but the crash after it wears off can be brutal.  On the positive side, the economic markers continue to be very strong, and thus far earnings have supported this lofty level.  On the negative side, inflation seems to be heating up, and that may force the FOMC to raise interests rates beyond whats already expected.  Elevated volatility could be here to stay at least for the short term.  Price action over the next several days could be very challenging especially for inexperienced traders.  Now is the time to maybe do a little less trading, a little more trade preparation, and become very picky about the trades you take.

On the Calendar

We have a busy Economic Calendar on this last day of January.  We get going with the ADP Employment report which is looking for a private payroll number of 195.000 at 8:15 AM Eastern.  At 8:30 AM we get a reading on the Employment Cost Index where forecasters are calling for a 0.6% rise.  9:45 AM brings the Chicago PMI which forecasters are calling for a slight easing but still a very strong reading of 64.0.  The Chicago economy is at historic highs in data that goes back more than 50 years!  We get a reading on Pending Home Sales at 10:00 AM where the consensus expects a solid gain of 0.5%.  The EIA Petroleum Status comes in at 10:30 AM, and although there is no forecast, the trend suggests oil supplies will continue to decline.  The biggest report of the day will, of course, be the FOMC Announcement on interest rate policy at 2:00 PM Eastern.

Earnings reports continue to ramp up with over 150 companies reporting today.  Stay on your toes and have plans prepared for the companies you hold or are considering for purchase.

Action Plan

An ugly day for the markets yesterday with a big gap down and saw continued selling as the day progressed.  This morning futures are suggesting a bounce with the Dow currently showing about a 200 point gap up.  I have been suggesting for some time now to prepare for higher volatility, and I suspect it will make for challenging trading for several weeks to come.

As a result, expect bigger daily swings and overall point travel during the day.  Overnight reversals are common in this environment as well as intra-day whips that can be pretty dramatic.  We have several weeks so of earnings reports yet to chew through that will add to the uncertainty.  Today after the morning rush we could see the market become very choppy as we wait for the FOMC Announcement at 2:00 PM.  With overall market trends broken and so much whipped up emotion, it may be wise just to sit back and watch the show unless you are a very fast day trader.

Trade Wisely,

Doug

The bears woke up!

The bears woke up.  We all knew the day would come when the bears would launch a full-scale assault.  Unfortunately, they used the cover of night to attack making it difficult for the retail trader.  As bad as it may initially seem let’s keep in mind good earnings are continuing to come in, and the bulls are unlikely to give up easily.

Those who chased stocks that were well within their run will suffer the most this morning.  Those that took profits along the way and reduced the number of positions held will likely experience some losses today but it should not too punishing.  It would not be at all out of the question to the Bulls mount a strong defense after the open.  Keep in mind the buy the dip crowd could rush in creating a short squeeze.  Although the this is the very first bearish follow-through day of 2018, remember it’s not the open that matters it’s how we close the day that does!

On the Calendar

Tuesday’s Economic Calendar starts off with the beginning of the 2-day FOMC meeting.  It’s the final meeting with Yellen at the helm.   At 9:00 AM Eastern the Case-Shiller report is expected to show a solid 0.6% gain.  The consensus is for the unadjusted year-on-year rate to come in at 6.4%.  Consumer Confidence is out at 10:00 AM is exp[ected to come in at 123.4 up slightly from the December reading of 122.1.  We have an another 10:00 AM report on Investor Confidence which is unlikely to move the market, a couple of bond auctions and Farm Prices report at 3:00 PM.

On the Earnings Calendar, there are just over 110 companies reporting today.  Before the bell, we will hear from PFE and MCD after the bell JNPR steps up to report.

Action Plan

The Bears decided to make an appearance yesterday closing all four of the major indexes lower on the day.  Technically the DIA got the worst of it closing below the Monday’s strong candle.  SPY and the QQQ faired much better only producing inside candles while IWM closed near the low of its consolidation pattern.  Unfortunately, the Bears waited to mount their full-on attack in the overnight session pushing the Dow futures down more than 200 points.  As I write this, the bulls managed to recover some of the overnight losses, but currently, the Dow Futures point to a gap down of 150 points.

It would appear that at the open we will see the very first follow through by the Bears this year.  Keep in mind this is earnings season, and the bulls are not likely to give up easily.  Although this may be a painful morning, try not to panic and keep in mind a strong whipsaw rally is possible assuming earnings continue to come in strong.  Remember the first move lower from a top is not where the real selling is likely to occur.  Expect some fast price action this morning as volatility spikes at the open.  We all knew this day was likely to come and that is why we plan.  Avoid making emotional decisions follow your plan.

Trade Wisely,

Doug

Runway Bullishness?

I have only seen runaway bullishness like this during the Tech Bubble of the late 1990’s.  I am not suggesting the current rally is a bubble, in fact, I don’t think we should compare to 2-events at all.  I only point this out that bullish exuberance has proven it can last for years.  I like many others believe the market is very extended and could benefit from a good pullback.  However, just because we might think it should happen does not mean that it will.

The Tech run up lasted years and had far less backing than the current rally.  This time companies are actually making money!  If earnings continue to support these high prices then perhaps we go higher still.  Don’t fight the trend but be prepared with a plan when the reversal does occur.  It could happen today or years from now, but if you’re complacent and unprepared the consequences could be painful.

On the Calendar

The last week of January 2018 Economic Calendar begins with Personal Income and Outlays at 8:30 AM Eastern.  Personal Income is seen rising 0.3% while the consumer is expected to decline this month 0.5%, but overall remains very strong.  The PCE index expects to improve just 0.1% with a  year-on-year reading of 1.7%.  Excluding food and energy, the core number is seen up 0.2% for a yearly rate of 1.6%.  At 10:30 AM is the Dallas Fed Mfg. Survey which is expected to remain very strong but this report is very unlikely to move the market.    After that, we have 3-bond related announcements and auctions.

Earnings season ramps up this week with lots of potentially market-moving reports.  Stay on your toes as a volatility increase is likely.  There are 75 companies reporting today with LMT and STX before the bell and RMBS and PFG after the bell.

Action Plan

Last Friday the bulls were out in force producing yet another gap up run day.  The DIA, SPY, and QQQ all closed at record highs.  The Dow closed above 26,500, that a 1500 point rally in just 16 trading days.  Truly remarkable bullishness with seemingly no fear of a pullback.  IWM was unable to set a new record on Friday choosing instead to rest in a consolidation pattern.  The VIX had slight decline but held onto the 11 handle at the close.

There can be no doubt that the bulls are in control and the overall market-trend continues higher.  With so many stocks well within their run higher, it makes it increasingly difficult to find low-risk entry trades.  Guard yourself against being caught up in the emotion and chasing into trades.  As I write this, the Futures are suggesting a lower open, but there are still a lot of earnings report and economic news ahead of the open that could change that.  As we wind down January earnings will be front and center as the bulk of reports will come in over the next few weeks.  Expect higher volatility with whipsaw price action as companies prove whether or not these market prices can be justified.

Trade Wisely,

Doug

Focus on price action.

The last couple days of trading the bears have reminded us that they are still lurking about looking for weaknesses.  Even though their testing has not yet yielded much in the way of results, it’s been a good reminder to focus on price action for clues of their attacks.  It’s noteworthy that as the market continues to march higher, the VIX has slowly crept up as well.  As of now the bulls are in control, but there is a good reason to have a heightened awareness if the bears continue to test the battle-line.  Friday’s have lately been very strong, and I suspect the bulls will fight hard to do the same today.  As this bull run gets very long in the tooth don’t forget to take some profits to the bank.

On the Calendar

We have three important reports on the Economic Calendar this Friday all coming in at 8:30 AM Eastern.  The Durable Goods consensus expects a 0.6% gain with ex-transportation also seen up a solid 0.6%.  The Core Durable Goods orders are expected to come in at 0.5% which is also very strong.  Next, we have the first GDP estimate for the fourth quarter that is expected to decline just slightly to 2.9%  Consumer spending is expected to have a strong showing rising to 3.6%.  Then comes the International Trade in Goods deficit is seen narrowing slightly to 69.0 billion vs. the 70.0 billion in November.  After that, we have three additional reports that are not expected to move the market.

We get a little Friday break on the Earnings Calendar only showing 44 companies reporting results today.  Next week will be a very busy week with over 500 companies scheduled to fess-up on earnings.

Action Plan

Yesterday it was the DIA doing all the heavy lifting setting a new record high as a result of the great earnings out of CAT and MMM.  The SPY, QQQ, and IWM all decided to take a little rest yesterday that at one point threatened to slip south.  However, the bulls stepped in just before it became critical buying lifing them back into a safe zone.  Overall uptrends continue to hold, and the bulls remain in control.

The new normal seems to be that every day the bulls pump up the Futures markets and today is no different.  Currently, the Dow Futures are pointing to more than a 50 point gap up that could print above 26,500.  Both the QQQ’s and the SPY are also indicating the possibility of new record high prints at the open. What an amazing bull run!  Stay with the trend because it has without question been our best friend since the beginning of the year.  Remember Friday is a very good day to bank some profits ahead of the weekend.

Trade Wisely,

Doug

Filling the gap.

The market has gone up so long, and so strongly it’s shocking when we see a quick reversal filling the gap.  It was likely a painful wake-up call for some traders, which complacently chased the morning gap.  As bad as it may have seemed the market up-trend did not break.  The bulls are still in control, but we must always remember that the bears can attack at any time.  We must always be focused and prepared.  As earnings continue to roll out increased volatility is possible.

On the Calendar

The Thursday Economic Calendar gets going at 8:30 AM with the weekly Jobless Claims.  Consensus has the number coming in around 240K and continuing to be considered full employment.  At 10:00 AM is New Home Sales is forecast to come in with a  very solid 680,000 annualized rate.  Other than that we have several lessor reports that are very unlikely to move the market as well as several bond related actions.

The Earnings Calendar hits its high point for the week with over 160 companies stepping up to report.  Make sure you are checking reporting dates and have a plan that protects your capital.

Action Plan

New record high prints across all 4-major indexes with the futures gapped the markets higher at the open.  Chasing the gap bulls seem to rush in pushing the Dow up nearly 170 points in the early session.  But then the market seemed to run out of gas selling off and filling the gap which is something we have not seen for a long time.   The last two months alone have left many unfilled gaps behind due to the strength of this bull run.  It serves as good reminder that the market can quickly change character.  Traders have to always be on their toes and ready to quickly adapt to the changing condition.  A focus on price action is the first best place to see conditions shift.  Price is always the best leading indicator.

After filling the morning gap, the buy the dip traders rushed back keeping the uptrend intact.  Futures are once again pushing for a gap up open.  The bull will not give up this fight easily especially with the expectation of very good earnings reports.  However, yesterdays price action is a clue that increased volatility, and quick reversals are possible during earnings.  If you’re in the market, always stay focused and never let your guard down.  Complacency is an account killer!

Trade Wisely,

Doug

Overbought?

I seem to hear the term overbought a lot these days.  Personally, I believe it’s an overused word that is misleading and dangerous.  When I was coming up as a trader, I would hear that term, and it would damage my ability to evaluate a chart objectively.  It would bias my view of a stock or the overall market creating a couple of nasty problems.  1. I would be fearful of a fall not entering good trade setups and then have to watch from the sidelines as they rallied.  Or  2.  I would convince myself I needed to get short and fight the market.  Both cost me a lot of money!

The solution?  Ignore all the noise and form your own opinion with a focus on price action.  Talking heads, analysts or stock gurus don’t care about your money.  They rarely are called on the carpet for being wrong and even if they are the damage to your account is already done.  You’re the boss.  Make decisions based on what you see not what others might think.  After all, no one cares about your money more than you do!

On the Calendar

There are three important and potentially market-moving reports on the Economic Calendar today.  The first is the PMI Composite Flash at 9:45 AM Eastern.  Forecasters expect another strong showing of 54.4 composite, 54.0 services, and 55.0 manufacturing.  At 10:00 AM is the Existing Home Sales numbers is expecting a very solid 5.750 million annualized rate for December.  The strong sales have driven down housing supplies to only 3.4 months of standing inventory.  Then at 10:30 is the EIA Petroleum Status report which has shown a steady downtrend in supplies with the winter demand increases.  There is no forward forecast of oil supply numbers.  However, looking at strong gains in oil stock prices, investors seem confident that supplies will continue to decline.

The Earnings Calendar ramps up today with just over 100 companies expected to report today.  To protect your capital, it’s imperative that all traders have a plan for earnings on anything they own or are thinking of buying.  Failure to do so can result in painful lessons.  Make it a habit of your daily preparation!

Action Plan

Another day of new record highs closes in the SPY, QQQ, and IWM.  The DIA saw choppy 2-sided price action eventually closing down a whopping 11-cents.  There seems to nothing that can stop this raging bull run.  This morning the Futures are pointing to a bullish open and currently showing a possible gap up of nearly Dow 60 points at the open.  Of course, that could change substantially with all the earnings reports before the open.

Although the market seems very extended, there are currently no clues in price action suggesting that is about to change.  Stay with the trend but don’t chase.  Only enter stocks with good risk/reward ratios at or near price support levels.  Also, keep in mind as earnings reports ramp up intraday volatility can also quickly rise.  Whipsaws and swift reveals are common.

Trade Wisely,

Doug

History-making bull run.

New records across the board as the market reacts to the government closure coming to an end.  The bulls are running so hard it makes you wonder if their hearts could suddenly and without warning explode.  One thing for certain, I’m grateful that I can participate in this history-making bull run.  The futures have traded all over the place this morning.  I can only guess its due to the tsunami warning for the west coast after a big earthquake in Alaska.  The price action has been very fast so be careful at the open and for goodness sake don’t chase.  There will be a day when the tide will go rushing out, and profit-taking will begin.  Avoid complacency and have a plan to protect profits and capital if/when it occurs.

On the Calendar

Tuesday is another very light day on the Economic Calendar.  The is a Richmond Fed Manufacturing report at 10:00 AM which is very unlikely to move the market.  A couple bound auctions and a Fed Speaker after the market close at 6:30 PM.

On the Earnings Calendar, there are 67 companies expected to report earnings.  Please make sure you are checking reporting dates of companies you own or those you are thinking of buying.  Today we have a showing of some big blue-chip stocks like KMB, VZ, JNJ, and PG.  Reporting after the bell is TXN, CREE, and UAL.

Action Plan

Due to a family emergency, I had to quickly lever yesterday missing out on the surge higher.  Record highs in all four major indexes occurred as buyers rushed in after the news that the government shutdown was over.  If you thought the market looked overextended before the yesterday stretched that rubberband even tighter.  NFLX reported blow out earnings after the bell and futures were very bullish all night.  However, starting at 6:00 AM Eastern the futures suddenly started moving south and at this moment are continuing to do so.  The price action is very fast, so anything is possible by the open.

Without question the bulls are in control and the market trends are higher.  However, the market also appears to very extended which could trigger some profit-taking at any moment so I think it would be wise to exercise a little caution.  The current erratic price action in the Dow Futures should be a reminder just how quickly a shift could occur so stay on your toes.  Having said that earnings could continue to propel the market higher so avoid prediction and trade the price action making sure not to chase stocks that are already well within their run.

Trade Wisely,

Doug

Cautiously Optimistic

This weekend a friend asked me for my overall opinion of the market.  My answer was Cautiously Optimistic.  If you look at the economic markers such as jobs, interest rates, business growth, and wage growth, it’s pretty darn hard to be anything other than optimistic.  A quick look at the index charts and all you can see is bullish trends.  So why the caution?  The short answer is the appearance of extreme complacency.  Almost nothing seems to shake this market.  Look at the same index charts with a critical eye and its hard not see a bit of complacency.  The question on my mind is can earnings support these price levels or has complacency pushed us to high in anticipation?  As a result, I’m Cautiously Optimistic as we move into the bulk of earnings reports.

On the Calendar

A slow start to the Economic Calendar this week, with no market-moving reports and just a few bond auctions.  Perhaps that’s a good thing as the market deals with day-3 of the government shutdown and all drama whipped up by both sides of the aisle.

There are just over 40 companies reporting earnings today with HAL, PETS, & WYNN before the bell.  After the bell, Tech will be in focus as NFLX will dominate the earnings news.

Action Plan

Friday’s market saw a Dow index and the Dow Futures oddly decouple.  A good portion of the day the Dow index was trying go down while the Dow Futures relentlessly pushed higher.  Ultimately the Index closed positively, but the futures were sharply higher.  The SPY, QQQ and the IWM all closed at new record highs.  Price action overall seemed to rather slow and choppy as we heading into the weekend.

Futures this morning are pointing to a lower open as the market reacts to the government shutdown.  Currently, Dow Futures are pointing to a gap down of about 40 points.  I’m honestly surprised the reaction isn’t stronger considering the stretched overall condition of the market.  With no economic reports to react to the market may be a bit more sensitive to the congressional news as its spun one direction and then another.  Earnings reports really begin to ramp up this week.  Our first big tech report is after the bell today with NFLX steps up to report results.  Don’t be surprised to see higher volatility companies must prove these elevated levels can be justified.  There is a lot no the line!

Trade Wisely,

Doug

Shocking!

A day without new record new record highs?  Shocking!  It would seem the Bears are starting to test the strength of the advancing Bulls with little attacks here and there.  The results of this minor skirmishes have thus far proved the Bull is strong and unwilling to yield even a little.  Does that mean we should toss caution to the wind and chase into this rally?  Absolutely not.  Chasing with the fear of missing out cost me a lot of money over the years as I was learning my craft.  If you are going to buy look for stocks that are finding buyers at or near price support levels.  Futures are bullish this morning, and trends are still solidly pointing up so stay with the trend but choose your risk wisely.

On the Calendar

The Friday Economic Calendar is a light one for a change.  At 10:00 AM Eastern we get the latest reading on Consumer Sentiment which consensus it expecting an increase to 97.0 vs. Decembers 95.9.  Other than that Fed speaking tour continues with one at 8:45 AM, then 1:00 and 1:30 PM.

The Earnings Calendar is also light today with only 17 companies reporting earnings today.  Most notable are those reporting before the bell such as RF, CFg, FHN, KSU, and SLB.  Keep in mind that earnings reports ramp up heavily next week.  Make sure you are checking dates on positions you hold and those your thinking of buying.

Action Plan

Although there were a couple of intra-day bears attacks, the bulls managed to hold the battle line with relative ease.  During the evening there was an attempt to move the futures lower, but once again the bulls were not interested in giving up any ground.  Also during the evening, the US House passed a tempory spending bill.  Now it’s up to the Senate to prevent the government from shutting down at midnight tonight.  I don’t know about you, but this drama is getting old.

Despite the political drama and the intermittent bear attacks the futures market is putting on a confident face.  As I write this, the Dow futures are pointing to a gap up open, and the NASDAQ could set new records at the open.  Go Bulls!  Stay with the trend but keep in mind that gap up opens can be very whippy so avoid chasing.  As always I will be focused on profit taking more than adding new risk as we head into the weekend.  However, I will be looking for trades, and anything is possible.

Trade Wisely,

Doug

More buyers than sellers! 

Why?  More buyers than sellers!  Yesterday was nothing short of amazing as the bulls squeezed out any and all would be bears that dared to get short Wednesday.  Does the market appear very stretched? Yes.  Does that mean it must necessarily selloff?  Obviously not!  Everything seems to be coming up roses for the market.  Employment is very strong; businesses are growing, wages are increasing, manufacturing is on the rise, consumer confidence is near all-time highs, housing is strong and although rising rates are still historically low.  Now the question is can earnings growth justify current prices?  Early reports seem to suggest that the answer is, Yes.  Will it continue?  Only time will tell.

On the Calendar

The Thursday Economic Calendar has three important reports at 8:30 AM Eastern time.  First, we have Housing Starts which consensus is expecting a slight pullback to 1.280 million vs. 1.297 million annualized.  November permits are expected to come in at 1.300 million vs. 1.303.  Second, is Weekly Jobless Claims are expected at 250k a slight decline from last week.  The third is the Philly Fed Business Outlook continues to show enormous strength with backlogs building as new orders pour in faster than shipments can move out the door.  At 11:00 AM is the EIA Petroleum Status Report which has shown supplies trending lower with the cold winter demand increasing.  After that, we have a one Fed speaker at 6:05 PM, some non-market-moving reports and bunch of bond actions to round out the calendar day.

On the Earnings Calendar, we have more than 45 companies expected to report today.  Banking continues to be in focus such as KEY,  PACW, and MS before the bell.  JBHT is also notable before the bell today with IBM and AXP in focus after the close today.

Action Plan

Talk about a big daily price action whipsaw!  The Dow gained more than 300 points completely reversing the big selloff just the day before.  The Dow closed for the first time above 26,000 as early short traders were squeezed out by this raging bull.  The SPY and QQQ also posted new closing records while IWM lagged slightly behind but recovering significantly from Tuesday.  Although the market appears to very stretched, the simple fact is there are still more buyers than there are sellers.  Fear of a market correction seems non-existent as the bulls relentlessly charge higher.

As always I will stay with the trend, but I must admit to being very cautious about the wild enthusiasm the market is displaying.  Bullish complacency such as we see right now can quickly backfire so stay very focused on price action for clues.  With the futures pointing to a bullish open try not to get caught up an chasing stocks already well within a run.

Trade Wisely,

Doug