A January taper makes more sense than a March or December taper. For one, the Fed would have access to another month of economic data removed from the distortions of the government shutdown, and January 30 would coincide with the transfer of Fed power from Bernanke to Yellen.

    For, another, March is on the cusp of the pick up in the real estate/building business, which would be adversely impacted by any disruption in interest rates as a result of taper.  Then too, a potential t showdown over raising the U.S. debt ceiling is likely to hit the headlines at that time adding to the disruptive effects of a Fed taper.

   TIP OFF IN ADVANCE OF A JANUARY TAPER:

Presently, there is no press conference or economic summary scheduled for the January 30 FOMC meeting. We are not getting the first taper without that.  If taper does NOT occur in December, and suddenly the Fed schedules a press conference for the January meeting, that’s it folks !

    A big week for economic reports accompanies the FOMC meeting (see calendar below) and adding to the excitement we get Quadruple Witching Friday, when stock index futures, options, stock options and single stock futures expire simultaneously (ugh).

   TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF EACH OF 30 Dow Industrials.

   At key junctures, I technically analyze each of the 30 Dow Jones industrials, seeking three levels, a reasonable risk, a more pronounced risk level and a reasonable upside potential, all three are short-to-intermediate-term.  I tally the estimates for each and divide by the Dow’s “divisor” to arrive at what the DJIA would be under each of the three scenarios. It worked wonders picking the bear market bottom on early March 2009 and served well on a number of occasions in the interim.  A reasonable downside here would be 15,277, a more pronounced downside would be 15,048 and a reasonable upside would be 15,974.

TODAY: Both DJIA and S&P 500 hit my upside targets yesterday, a conclusion  based on expecting   institutions to pick up bargains created by tax selling/profit-taking and buying as a hedge that the Fed won’t announce taper Wednesday.

   We have to assume, this is the “no taper in December” rally. I can see the DJIA spiking to 15,996 (S&P 500: 1,806). A failure of a rally here to follow through would  suggest the Street is beginning to fear a taper announcement Wednesday.

   At this point, I expect an announcement to begin tapering out of QE would hammer stock prices BRIEFLY, followed by a very sharp rally. 

   Here’s why. We have gone to the brink on this taper stuff for 6 – 8 months. It’s the surprise moves or news that does the most damage, not something that has been preceded by a dozen false starts.

   What’s more, the Fed has repeatedly stated its intent to re-start QE if the economy falters.

   Finally, the Fed has been in QE for more than four years. It helped more at some times than others, but mostly cultivated confidence, albeit an addiction that will be hard to overcome.

 

DJIA: 15.884

S&P 500: 1,786

Nasdaq  Comp.4,029

Russell 2000:  1,119

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013    9:20 a.m.

BEST SIX MONTHS TO OWN STOCKS:

Over the years the Stock Trader’s Almanac* has expounded on its significant finding that the stock market performs better  between November 1 and May 1 than between May 1 and November 1.

   The Almanac’s  “Best Six” goes back to 1950.  The six months is a snapshot between November and May.  Many major market advances often start before November, but the point made  here is the period between fall and May is where the action is.

 

   IS THIS GOING TO BE A “BEST SIX MONTHS ?

The six months between November 1 and May 1, have consistently outperformed the six months between May 1 and November 1.*

   With a 3.6% rise in the DJIA since October 31, the Street is now wondering if the market is off to yet another “Best Six Months.” Out of the last 25 years, Nov.1 to May 1, have produced 19 up-years, 3 flats and 3 downers. The best years averaged gains of 11.8% with the best up 25.6% (1998 – 1999).

   THE DANGER:  over the last 25 years, there have been 14 corrections ranging between 6% and  16% during this November1  to May1 period. Seven of those started in January, two in December and four in February.

  

 

   YEAR END UGLINESS:

We have entered the ugly part of year-end trading – accelerated profit-taking, where investors see good profits begin to wear away as others beat them to the punch. At the same time, stocks that have become attractive price-wise due to tax selling/portfolio adjustments begin to sneak up, now that the selling pressure is lifted.  Next thing, stocks of your buy list have jumped  quite a bit.

   WARNING:

   Nevertheless, DO NOT take your eye off what is happening, especially to overly depressed stocks. While you are shopping, enjoying lunch-time “cheer,” or scrambling for one thing or another, THINGS WILL be happening.  That stock you were planning to buy, but felt there was plenty of time to buy it, could easily rise 3% -4%, even in a down market. It’s happened to me too often.

Just a reminder: Anyone keeping track of the breadth of the market (advances/declines) should realize the year-end maneuvering will distort the numbers, often favoring decliners.

 

TIMING – OPPORTUNITY STOCKS  New addition planned: alert to stocks with emerging technical patterns with potential. In a prolonged downturn, I would alert readers to stocks with vulnerable patterns.  All on the drawing board.

   The following are based on technical analysis only and  are not to be taken as buy or sell recommendations, but as one of many factors that must be considered in the decision process. Comments do not take into consideration earnings reports, or changes in institutional ratings, company guidance. Technical analysis is based on one’s interpretation of  the impact buying and selling have on the price of a stock and is therefore not an exact science. News and events can change an interpretation instantly. 

Apple (AAPL: $557.50) Positive.

Like so many of 2013’s winners, AAPL is getting hit by year end selling and will have to probe for a level that attracts enough buyers to turn it back up. Resistance is now $562 – $566. Stock may have to slip a bit below $550 to attract buyers.

Facebook (FB:$53.81)  Positive

 Will replace Teradyne (TER) on S&P 500 on Dec.20, which could be the reason for its recent strength. Needs to consolidate  14-day surge from $44. Support $52

IBM (IBM: $177.85)  Negative  (ALERT !)

Rebounded sharply off October’s 52-week low which could comprise a double bottom.  Needs to test yesterday’s low of $172.73 to validate it.  Resistance is still between $178 and $180.

 

Pulte Homes (PHM: $18.11)  Positive

No Change: The  housing industry must now demonstrate it can gain traction. That may be in the works with the big jump in October’s New Home Sales. PHM should attract buyers in this area. if housing is a “go.” Stock has held three times in this $17.80 area. Failure to hold takes it closer to $17.10. The housing industry could easily go into limbo – bump along.

First Solar (FSLR:$54.70)  Neutral

Stock needs a credible institutional research report to assure investors FSLR’s fundamentals are not following China’s track.  Spikes of  buying volume suggests FSLR may be attracting buyers, but more is needed.   Support $54.  Resistance starts at $56.25

Nike (NKE:$76.44) “the inchworm”  Positive 

Profit taking has accelerated.  Stock has not  stabilized yet. Needs a high-volume push across $76.80 to improve the pattern. This was a big drop for a stock that moves both ways  in tiny increments. It did this in October and reversed to the upside. Real battle going on here.

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ: $26.90)  Positive

Consolidating  surge two weeks ago, but trying to turn up. Needs more upside volume to offset year-end  selling. Support is 26.50. Resistance starts at $27.

Polaris Inds. (PII:135.54)  Positive

Trying to turn the corner, needs to push past $137 to give it a chance at new highs.Support is $134.60

Amazon (AMZN: $388.97) Positive

AMZN starting to win the battle, may be too early to tell.

Buyers starting to meet profit-takers head-on. Support is $388. Needs to break up through resistance at $392 to renew uptrend.

Pandora Media (P:26.84) Positive.

Friday’s attempt to post a big gain Friday ran into a seller. Support is $26.60. Break below $26  sets stage for drop to $25.30. Resistance starts at $28.

Definitely not a stock for light sleepers. Has its lovers and haters. But has upside potential and moves quickly.

NOTE: I AM NEITHER LONG OR SHORT ANY OF THE ABOVE STOCKS

THE ECONOMY: 

This may be the most significant week for reports on the economy and Fed action of the year.

For detailed analysis of both the U.S. and Foreign economies along with charts, go towww.mam.econoday.com. Also included is an explanation of each indicator. If you want to know when the next Employment report or any other key report will be released that info is also there under “event release date.”

MONDAY:

Empire State Mfg. Svy. (8:30) flat

Productivity/Costs (8:30) year over year  for Q3 was +0.3 pct. vs. +0.2 pct. Q2

PMI Mfg. Ix..(8:58) Index  for Dec. 54.4 vs. 54.3 Nov.

Industrial Production (9:15)Nov up1.1pct. vs. +0.1 pct. Oct.

TUESDAY:

FOMC Meeting Begins

ICSC Goldman Store Sales

Housing Mkt. Ix. (10:00) Proj:  Dec. index 55  vs. 54 Nov.

WEDNESDAY:

Housing Starts (8:30) Proj: Nov. 0.952 million-unit rate; permits 0.995 million-unit rate

FOMC announcement on TAPER (2:00 p.m.)

FOMC forecasts (2:00) p.m.)

Bernanke press conference (2:30)

THURSDAY:

Jobless Claims (8:30) Proj: For 12/14 week  337,000 vs. 368,000 for prior week which increased 68,000.. Claims are back up to level before shutdown.  Four week avg. is only up 6,000 to 328,750

Philly Fed Svy. (10:00) Proj: December index is 10.0

Existing Home Sales (10:00) Proj: Nov. 5.02 million-unit rate  vs. 5.12 million-unit rate Oct.

Leading Indicators (10:00) Proj:Nov. 0.7 pct. vs. +0.2 pct  Oct.

FRIDAY:

Quadruple Witching Friday

GDP (8:30) Proj: Third estimate for Q3  is +3.6 pct. may be inflated by inventory growth estimates

Kansas City Fed. Mfg. Ix. (11:00) Proj:  Dec. index  is 8  vs. 7 in Nov.

RECENT POSTS – 2013

Nov 25 DJIA  16,064  Fetch the Blinders – Here come the forecasts

Nov 26 DJIA  16,072   Time to Shop for New Winners and Old Winners Getting  

                                     Whacked by  Profit-Taking”

Nov 27 DJIA16,072   “December Head-Fakes Galore – Raises Risks”

Nov 29 DJIA 16,097  “Stock Market Bubbles Don’t Pop to a Full House”

Dec 2   DJIA 16.086  “Serious Stuff Coming This Week and Next”

Dec 3   DJIA 16,008  “Hunting Season – Be Armed and Ready”

Dec 4   DJIA 15,914  “Holidays, Or Not, DO NOT Take Your Eye Off This Market”

Dec 5   DJIA 15,889  “December’s Two Dilemmas – Watch Your Back”

Dec 6  DJIA 15,821   “No Fed Taper=December Rally – Correction Q1 ?

Dec 9  DJIA 16,020  “Investor Angst Intensifies”

Dec 10 DJIA 16,025 “ Two Big Dates Loom – What to Watch”

Dec 11 DJIA 15,973  “Year End Rally ?

Dec 12 DJIA 15,843  “Trading Opportunities Imminent – First a BUY – Then a

                                     SELL”

Dec 13 DJIA15,739  “Best Six Months Ahead ? Not Without an Ugly Correction in

                                    the Interim”

Dec 16 DJIA               January 30 Taper ?  If So, Fed Needs to Schedule a Press

                                    Conference – a Tip off”

*Stock Trader’s Almanac;Get it !  This is the most comprehensive compendium of investing savvy between two covers I have ever encountered in my 47 years of writing about the market. Got my first in 1968.  There you have it ! I’m an old duff, but I have programmed my computer (brain) with smarts gained from writing about the market in an unbelievably challenging stretch of  market activity.  I endorse the Almanac – It’s loaded with references, stats, valuable studies, and insight.

  George  Brooks

“Investor’s first read – an edge before the open”

[email protected]

……………………………………………..

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.