Friday, 17 March 2017

Subdued end to the week

US equity indexes closed moderately mixed, sp -3pts at 2378. The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled -0.4% and +0.4% respectively. VIX settled +0.6% at 11.28. Near term outlook offers another push into the sp'2400s, with the 2500s a viable target if the Market can cope with the French elections in April/May.


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Summary

It was quad-opex, and price action was naturally rather tight, with a trading range for the sp'500 of just 8pts. VIX was itself subdued, swinging from an intra low of 10.78 to settle fractionally higher in the low 11s.

Goodnight from London
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*the weekend post will appear Sat' 12pm EST, and will detail the US weekly indexes

Thursday, 16 March 2017

Broadly strong

US equity indexes closed moderately weak, sp -3pts at 2381. The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled -0.5% and +0.2% respectively. VIX settled -3.6% at 11.21. Near term outlook offers chop into the quad-opex/weekly close. Another push upward into the sp'2400s is due, as broader price action is strong.


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Summary

It was a pretty subdued in equity land, with most indexes leaning moderately weak. It was notable that the Nasdaq comp' came within a single point of breaking a new historic high.

The VIX continues to reflect powerful underlying equity strength, and melted moderately lower to the low 11s. A weekly settlement in the 10s is easily within range.
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Something to stare at... at least for a few minutes..

UK, monthly


We're halfway through March, and the UK FTSE is net higher by a rather significant 2.1%, having broken a new historic high of 7444. Anyone doubt 9/10k as a minimum target before it all ends badly?

Goodnight from London
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Wednesday, 15 March 2017

Onward and upward

US equity indexes closed broadly higher, sp +19pts at 2384. The two leaders- Trans/R2K, settled higher by 1.1% and 1.5% respectively. VIX settled -5.4% at 11.63. Near term outlook offers a fair amount of chop into this Friday's quad-opex. Broadly, the sp'2500s are a valid target for late April/May.


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Summary

It was a rather bullish day for US equities. Price action was naturally somewhat muted ahead of the Fed, but once the annoucement was made, there was another burst upward. VIX even flash-printed to 10.60, as the uncertainty was lifted.
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As for today's rate hike...

Fed chair Yellen in a pretty confident mood

There is little to add from what I've said a thousand times across the last few years. Higher rates ARE bullish, not just for the US equity market... but the broader economy. For the moment, the outlook appears strong all the way into spring 2018.

I realise some of you don't want to hear that kind of talk, but I ain't going to placate you with deflationary/recessionary talk for the sake of keeping you as a reader. I'll keep calling it as I see it... as best I can.

Goodnight from London
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