Monday, 23 February 2015

11am update - market looking tired

US equities are only moderately lower, but the market sure feels tired, having climbed from sp'1980 to 2110 (6.5%) in just 14 trading days. A retrace to the 2060/40 zone remains very viable into next week. Metals have built gains, Gold +$4. Oil remains weak, -3.2%


sp'daily5


Nasdaq Comp'


Summary

*Nasdaq looks super strong, but it certainly doesn't have to break 5k on this rally.  A pull back to the 4800/4700s is very viable.
-

Price action remains relatively muted.. we'll surely see much more dynamic moves tomorrow... once the Yellen starts talking to the Senators.

First soft downside target (for tomorrow).. will be the recent low of 2085.

--
Notable strength: DISCA +8.9% in the $33s... but more on that one later I think.

10am update - minor weakness

US equities begin the week on a marginally weak note, sp -6pts @ 2104. VIX is higher, +7%, but still only in the low 15s. Metals are flat. Oil remains sharply lower, -2.8%.... but as ever... vulnerable to extremely strong intraday swings.


sp'daily3


vix'daily3


Summary

*Fib retrace - assuming sp'2110 is a short term top, is highly suggestive of a near term retrace to the 2060/40 zone.. where the 50dma is lurking.
--

So..  a little weakness to start the week, but clearly.. nothing significant. I'm not expecting much from today.... Mr Market is likely to remain in chop mode.. ahead of Yellen at the US Senate tomorrow morning.

--
Notable strength: DISCA (Discovery Comms'), +7% to the $33s on rumour that FOX might be interested. I like the company, a sound balance sheet. A bid around the $50 threshold is very viable, and even without.. the stock is under-valued, relative to main market.

Pre-Market Brief

Good morning. Futures are a little lower, sp -4pts, we're set to open at 2106. Metals are mixed, Gold -$3, whilst Silver +1.2%. Oil is sharply lower, -3.6% in the $48s, with the $43 cycle low still highly vulnerable to being broken under.


sp'daily5


sp'60min


Summary

*Gold hit $1190 overnight, which is a multi-month low, the Nov' low of $1130 looks set to be exceeded this spring.
--

So.... here we go again. Unlike last week, we should see some much more dynamic price movement... and typically that would favour the bears.

Best case seems to be, a test of the 50dma... which will soon be in the 2050s.. that is only 3% lower. Considering the broader trends, even that will take until next week to achieve.
-

Notable early weakness, oil/gas drillers, RIG -2.7%, SDRL, -4.3%. Both look to be generally weak into the summer, regardless of any continued broader market strength.
-

Econ-chatter from Mr Long, with guest Rubino.



Highly recommended, with some great consideration of the implications of NIRP across the world, and the distortions that might cause.
-

Good wishes for the week ahead!