Private payrollsincreased by 178,000 in August, in line with most projections but down from 198,000 in July. It was not the kind of number that makes a September taper a slam-dunk, nor was it any assurance the Fed won’t act.
Jobless Claims dropped 9,000 to 323,000 for the week ended 8/31, a plus for taper as was the surge in August auto sales, and the fact all 12 of the Federal Reserve’s regional districts are growing, if only moderately.
Tomorrow we get the Employment Situation and Unemployment reports, which should ice the cake for a September taper, or no taper decision for the Fed. to be announced Wednesday September 18th.
I really don’t see Syria as a big factor at this point, other than to contribute to a sudden increase in volatility as the markets are buffeted by the jolt from higher interest rates, the realization that Fed policy is changing (taper), threats of a government shutdown, the implementation of Obamacare, and the need to re-start significant corporate earnings growth.
CONCLUSION:
As noted yesterday, the swing factor for a continuation of this bull market hinges on the Street accepting good news as just that – good, and not a deterrent to buying, because it hastens the end of QE.
It’s time to graduate from reliance on the security of Fed accommodation.
If the Fed tapers and the economy doesn’t cave, subsequent tapers won’t be such a psychological obstacle. That may be what is needed for the Street to see good as good and return to the steady buying we saw earlier in the year.
Investor’s first read– an edge before the open
DJIA: 14,930
S&P 500: 1,653
Nasdaq Comp. 3,649:
Russell 2000: 1,025
Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013 (8:55 a.m.)
TECHNICAL OBSERVATION – STOCKS:
The following are observations based solely on technical analysis and don’t give consideration to fundamentals or changes in brokerage ratings which can have an immediate impact on stocks, justified or not. The idea here is to give readers insight into the likely trends and turns in the stock’s price, short-and long-term.
I picked up on AAPL and FB last year when they were in a tailspin, and picked up on IBM, Pulte, First Solar, Target, and Hewlett-Packard recently for the same reason. These are not buy or sell recommendations, and are not stocks I have recommended.
NOTE: Expect support and resistance levels to change more frequently under adverse and uncertain conditions like those we are experiencing presently..
WARNING: This market is highly “news sensitive,” with everything at the present negative. Any break for the better in the mid-East, taper, or in the threat of a government shutdown in October will trigger a rally, especially in stocks below, since they have been hammered already.
Apple(AAPL: $498.69 )
Note: Bottom was targeted at $385 the turn around Apr. and Jun. 2013 (double bottom). This is a follow up.
Pattern: Positive, consolidating recent up move.
Resistance: $4984
Support: $493 – Has had buyer at the open. Could be Icahn
Facebook (FB – $41.78 )
Note: Bottom was targeted below $18 for a turnaround Sept. 2012, this is a follow up.
Pattern: Positive –
Resistance: $42
Support: $41.60
Consolidating. Break above $42.25 paves way for move to $44.60.
IBM ($183.13 ) No change
Note: Started coverage Aug. 7, 2013 after big plunge in stock
Pattern: Negative, but improving.
Resistance: $184.20 Still a seller there – patient but steady
Support: Got down to my target on of $181, and has attracted a buyer. Be aware that IBM has ranged four times up and down between $185 and $215 over the last two years.
Each point up or down impacts the DJIA by about 13 points.
PulteGroup (PHM- $15.32 ) At risk, needs buyer ASAP
Note: Started coverage Aug. 12, 2013
Pattern: Neutral but weakening
Resistance: $15.40
Support: $14.60 Needs big buyer to counter industry negatives that resurfaced with the jump in mortgage rates
First Solar (FSLR:$36.47 )
Note: Started coverage: Aug.: 22, 2013
Pattern: Negative
Resistance: $36.90
Support: $36 must hold or a drop to #31 – $32 Some evidence of bargain hunting
Target (TGT: 63.55)
Note: Started coverage Aug: 22, 2013:
Pattern: Negative
Resistance: $63.75
Support: $63.25
Got a buyer Tuesday. Trying to turn, but needs big buyer.
Hewlett-Packard (HPQ:22.27 )
Note: Started coverage Aug. 23, 2013
Pattern: Negative, probing for comfort level
Resistance: $22.50
HPQ looks like it can hold in this $22 – $23 area. Sharp drop from $26 created overhead supply (a lid) $19.85 is possible but only in a bad market.
eBay (eBay: $51.45 ) Yesterday’s action positive, though volume lacking
Note: Started coverage Aug. 28, 2013
Pattern: Neutral/bearish Friday’s and Monday’s action did damage, bur Tuesday a big help. Risk of mid-40s reduced.
Resistance: $52
Support: $ 50.80, Base support is in process of forming. Stock should get a buyer in here as it has on five occasions when it ranged between $50 and $58 this year. If that happens, the intensity of that rally must be studied. Failure to develop heavy volume suggests a break below $50 and drop into the mid-40s. If there are bulls out there, they should find this price attractive and make their move. If $50 isn’t attractive, the stock has a big problem.
Amazon.com (AMZN: $ 293.64 )
Note: Started coverage Aug. 28
Pattern: Bullish with second breakout yesterday raising odds of a move across $295 possible
Resistance: $298
Support: Support now $290
I do not own, nor am I short AAPL, FB, IBM, PHM, FSLR ,TGT, HPQ, EBAY, AMZN.
ECONOMIC REPORTS:
Heavy schedule this week, also speeches by Federal Reserve officials. BIG employment reports Thursday and Friday.
For a detailed account of past and current economic reports, including charts go to: mam.econoday.com – www.mam.econoday.com
TUESDAY:
PMI Mfg. Ix. (8:58) Final Aug. 53.1 down from 53.9. New orders strong at 55.7 vs. 56.5
ISM mfg Ix. (10:00) Aug 55.7 up from 55.4, New orders jumped to 63.2 from 58.3
Construction Spending (10:00) July up 0.6 pct. better than projected 0.3 pct.
Motor Veh. Sales Proj.: Aug. 12.3 mil unit rate
ICSC Goldman Store Sales (7:45) Proj.: none
Int’l Trade (8:30) Proj.: minus 39.0 bil July vs. $34.2 bil June
Fed’s John Williams speaks (12:30) Proj.:
Fed’s Narayana Kocherlakota speaks (8:00 pm)
THURSDAY:
ADP Employment rept (8:15) 178,000 Aug – private payrolls
Jobless Claims (8:30) Proj.: 330,000 week ended 8/31 vs. 331,000 prior week
Productivity and Costs (8:30) Proj.:+1.8 pct productivity; +0.7 pct.
Fed’s Kocherlakota speaks again (9:00 am )
Factory Orders (10:00) Proj.: -3.4 pct. July
ISM Non-Mfg. Ix. (10:00) Proj.: Ix. 55.0 Aug.
FRIDAY:
Employment Situation (8:30) Proj.: Private payrolls Aug. 178,000 , unemployment 7.4 pct.
Fed’s Esther George speaks (1:30 pm) Proj.:
RECENT POSTS: 2013
Aug 22 DJIA 14,897 “Street’s Angst Not About First Taper, but……”
Aug 23 DJIA 14,963 “Big Day: Rebound or Rally Failure ?”
Aug 26, DJIA 15,010 “Fed Policy Change – Big Impact on Stock Market ?”
Aug 27 DJIA 14,946 “No Quick Solution for Market’s Negatives – DJIA 14,250 ?
Aug 28 DJIA 14,776 “What Now for AAPL, FB, AMZN, FB, IBM, HPQ, etc. ?”
Aug 29 DJIA 14,824 “Don’t Buy the Syria Solution Rally?
Aug 30 DJIA 14,840 “ Countdown Starts Tuesday – What to Expect”
Sep 3 DJIA 14,810 “Market Up Sharply – Someone Know Something ?”
Sep 4 DJIA 14,833 “What Must Happen for the Bull to Snort”
*changed from 1,542
George Brooks
“Investor’s first read – an edge before the open”
……………………………………………..
The writer of Investor’s first read, George Brooks, is not registered as an investment advisor. Ideas expressed herein are the opinions of the writer, are for informational purposes, and are not to serve as the sole basis for any investment decision. Readers are expected to assume full responsibility for conducting their own research pursuant to investment decisions in keeping with their tolerance for risk. Brooks may buy or sell stocks referred to herein.
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