Thursday, July 24, 2014 9:08 a.m. BEFORE the OPEN
I’m not a fan of the earnings report season – fortunately it only comes four times a year. Even so, this time around, earnings are tracking comfortably ahead of projections, which of course are low-balled to avert a “miss.”
About one-third of S&P 500’s earnings are in with more than 70% “beating” estimates.
The key now will be revisions to guidance and earnings for coming quarters. My gut says “better than expected,” ergo more upside. There is momentum building in the economy. Jobless Claims just hit a level not seen since 2006. While some of that is already discounted in stock prices, I see room to run.
What may be about to happen going forward is an increased focus on low-priced stocks, a mini feeding frenzy of sorts, typical of a maturing bull market.
I look at Investor’s Business Daily’s tables and see zillions of stocks posting new highs. One can’t help feeling an overwhelming tug to jump on anything. A closer look indicates many of these stocks have already had a huge move up.
What a frustration. Why couldn’t I have bought any of these at much lower prices is what investors bemoan.
This leads to a search for stocks that haven’t moved up significantly and that is what triggers speculation in low-priced stocks. That will bring in those sitting on the sidelines for the duration of this bull market adding to the frenzy.
TODAY:
Looks like a carbon copy of yesterday, barring jarring international news. Another 52-week high is a possibility.
I can’t imagine what the Street’s computers are programmed to signal when the S&P 500 tops 2,000. It will probably do some selling into the hype the financial press will orchestrate upon the S&P 500 from breaking that round number. I think round numbers are a crock, but they have significance if the Street (and press) think so !!
Support today is DJIA: 17.072; S&P 500: 1,985; Nasdaq Comp.: 4,467
Resistance todayis DJIA: 17,153; S&P 500: 1,996; Nasdaq Comp.: 4,496
Investor’s first read – Daily edge before the open
DJIA: 17,086
S&P 500: 1,987
Nasdaq Comp.:4,473
Russell 2000: 1,158
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS HAS CHANGED:
Changes have occurred over the years in technical analysis.Volume can signal a turn in direction rather than continued momentum. Breakouts can be fake-outs. Classic resistance and support levels are often broken momentarily as if intentionally triggered to provide someone with an opportunity to sell or buy in-size.
Chart patterns, are nevertheless readable, if investors adjust for these changes. Stocks are impacted by multiple option/futures strategies, high speed trading, hedge funds, etc., but it still boils down to money in and money out.
The biggest technical risk is the “gap” up or down, featuring an abrupt and major change in price with no trading between the last price and next price. This happens most frequently as a result of the Street’s reaction to earnings reports. There is little investors can do to anticipate or protect themselves from this hazard except diversification.
A report doesn’t have to be disappointing for a stock to take a bit hit. That can happen if earnings don’t exceed projections by enough. Gaps down tend to sentence a stock to months of listlessness.
Reading charts is a matter of interpretation, a sensing of the balance or imbalance between buyers and sellers. I don’t think this can be quantified. Patterns that are too consistent attract so many new followers, that they become neutralized.
THE FED:
We will hear more cautionary comments from the Fed going forward in an attempt to ease an interest rate hike when its reality hits early next year. The Fed does not want speculative fever to run rampant prior to the rate increase.
Her comments harpooned small biotech, momentum stocks and the Russell 2000, though more than likely just created a buying opportunity.
Parallels to Fed Chief Alan Greenspan’s 1996 “irrational exuberance” – dot-com comments were immediately drawn, but rejected when the Street realized the bubble didn’t burst until January 2001 four years later.
The Fed’s “easing in” policy is bad news for those who want the feeding frenzy to continue unabated, but good news for investors who opt for a more stable market and an inevitable crunch instead of crash.
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TECHNICAL ANALYSIS of 30 DOW JONES INDUSTRIALS
(UPDATED ANALYSIS: July 21)
At key junctures, I technically analyze each of the 30 Dow industrials seeking a reasonable near-term support and a more extreme support leyel, as well as a short-term resistance level. By technically studying the balances of buying and selling in each stock, then converting that data back to the DJIA using the “divisor” (0.1557159) I can get a better reading on the average itself. The DJIA is a price-weighted average and subject to distortion by higher priced issues.
I ran my analysis again following the Monday, July 21 close and concluded the near-term upside for the DJIA is 17,333 a reasonable downside is 16,932 and more downside 16,865.
My analysis run last week July 1 projected near-term resistance for the DJIA at 17,109 where it stalled last week.
Note: My daily support/resistance levels are more short-term oriented.
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THIS WEEK’s ECONOMIC REPORTS:
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:
Chicago Fed Nat’l Activity Ix. (8:30): June’s index slipped to 0.12 from 0.21, reflecting a zero reading in June’s production component.
TUESDAY:
ICSC Goldman Store Sales (7:45): Dropped 0.4 pct. in July 19 week from prior week’s gain of 0.4 pct.
Consumer Price Ix. (8:30): June CPI up 0.3 pct vs May’s increase of 0.4 pct.
FHFA House Price Ix. (9:00):Rose 0.4 pct. in May – year/year slipped to +5.5 pct. from +6.1 pct.
Existing Home Sales (10:00):Rose 2.6 pct. in June vs. gain of 5.4 pct. in May
Richmond Fed Mfg Ix. (10:00): Index up 3 pts. To 7 in July
WEDNESDAY:
MBA Purchase Apps (7:00): Up 0.3 pct. in July 18 week after drop of 8.0 pct. in prior week. Refi’s up 4.0 pct.
THURSDAY:
Jobless Claims (8:30): Dropped 19,000 to 284,000 in the July 18 week to lowest level since 2006
PMI Mfg. Flash Ix. (9:45):
New Home Sales (10:00):
Kansas City Fed Mfg. Ix. (11:00):
FRIDAY:
Durable Goods (8:30):
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George Brooks
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