Wednesday 20 March 2019

The precursor signal

US equity indexes closed rather weak, sp -8pts (0.3%) at 2824. Nasdaq comp' +0.1%. Dow -0.5%. The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled -1.3% and -0.8% respectively. VIX settled +2.6% at 13.91.

sp'daily5



VIX'daily3



Summary

US equities opened a little weak, not helped by Trump comments in the 12pm hour that tariffs would remain (at least initially) even with a US/China trade deal. The market jumped on the press release from Print Central, but the closing hour wasn't so pretty, with most indexes settling moderately lower. Volatility was relatively subdued, settling in the upper 13s.


The precursor signal

Today's FOMC saw rates held, economic growth downgraded, no more rate hikes for rest of the year, and QT to conclude in September. The end of QT is a precursor signal to an eventual rate cut. 


I have endlessly noted how in the previous two grand cycles, the ultimate equity sell signal was a rate cut.

Fed rates & SPX, monthly


Today brought us one step closer to yours truly adding a third dashed red vertical line to the above chart
-

Spring time

Green shoots... everywhere
--
Extra charts in AH (usually around 7pm EDT) @ https://twitter.com/permabear_uk

Goodnight from London
--
If you value my work, subscribe to my intraday service. 
For details and the latest offers, see: permabeardoomster.com