Stocks Fall On Weak Economic News

Thursday, September 23, 2010
Stock Market Commentary:

Stocks ended lower and the S&P 500 closed below support (formerly resistance) after weaker than expected economic news in Europe spooked investors. Volume totals were reported lower on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange compared to the prior session which signaled large institutions were not aggressively selling stocks. Decliners trumped advancers by over a 2-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange. New 52-week highs easily outnumbered new 52-week lows on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange. There were 36 high-ranked companies from the CANSLIM.net Leaders List made a new 52-week high and appeared on the CANSLIM.net BreakOuts Page, lower than the 41 issues that appeared on the prior session, and down from triple digits on Monday.

Weak Economic Data Drags Stocks Lower:

Overnight, stock futures were lower after European PMI slid to the worst level in 7-months which bodes poorly for the economic recovery.  In the US, weekly jobless claims rose by 12,000 to +465,000 as the total number of people receiving unemployment insurance fell. After the open, existing home sales and leading economic indicators rose which helped stocks briefly turn positive before a late-day sell-off sent stocks lower into the close.

Market Action- Confirmed Rally:

The action since this rally was confirmed on the September 1, 2010 follow-through day (FTD) has been strong. Looking forward, the window is open for disciplined investors to carefully buy high-ranked stocks, while many pundits are expecting that markets may consolidate following recent gains. Since the major averages negatively reversed (opened higher and closed lower) on Tuesday (after the Fed meeting) stocks have steadily declined and have now closed below support (formerly resistance) which corresponds with their summer highs. Looking forward, the next level of support for the major averages is their respective 200-day moving average (DMA) lines while the next level of resistance is their respective April highs. Trade accordingly.

Similar Posts

  • Nasdaq Retreats; Other Major Averages Advance

    Stocks remain strong as investors digested the latest round of economic data. The benchmark S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, NYSE composite, mid-cap S&P 400, small-cap Russell 2000 and small-cap S&P 600 indices all enjoyed fresh recovery closing highs! The current rally is in its 44th week (since the March 12, 2009 follow-through day) and on all accounts still looks very strong. In addition, most bull markets last for approximately 36 months, so the fact that we are beginning our 10th month suggests we have more room to go. December’s jobs report will likely set the stage for the next near term move for the major averages but until support is broken (50 DMA lines for the major averages), this rally deserves the bullish benefit of the doubt.

  • Day 11: Stocks Consolidate Recent Move

    Looking at the market, Friday marked day 11 of a new rally attempt which means that as long as the February 5th lows are not breached the window remains open for a new follow-through day (FTD) to emerge. A new follow-through day will confirm the current rally attempt and will be produced when one of the major averages rallies at least +1.7% on higher volume than the prior session as a new batch of leaders break out of fresh bases. However, if the February 5, 2010 lows are breached then the day count will be reset and a steeper correction may unfold. So far, the market’s reaction has been tepid at best to the latest round of economic and earnings data which remains a concern. Remember that the market remains in a correction until a new new follow-through day emerges. Until then, patience is king.

  • Week-In-Review: The Market Is Getting Weaker, Not Stronger

    The Tape Is Getting Weaker The tape remains very split but is getting weaker. This was the 8th consecutive week that the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial average closed below their respective 50 DMA lines. More worrisome for the bulls, the Russell 2000 broke below the neckline of a big double top pattern (see…

  • 25-Week Rally Begins

    Market Action- Confirmed Rally; Week 25 Begins
    It was encouraging to see the bulls show up and defend the major averages’ respective 50 DMA lines in November as this market proves resilient and simply refuses to go down. From our point of view, the market remains in a confirmed rally until those levels are breached. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite and small-cap Russell 2000 indexes continue to lead evidenced by their shallow correction and strong recovery. However, it is important to note that stocks are a bit extended here and a pullback of some sort (back to the 50 DMA lines) would do wonders to restore the health of this bull market. If you are looking for specific high ranked ideas, please contact us for more information.
    Are You Looking For Someone To Manage Your Money?
    Our Private Wealth Management Services Can Help You!

  • Stocks Fall As Consumer Credit Contracts

    The benchmark S&P 500 Index currently has 5 distribution days while the Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average have 4 since the March 1, 2010 follow-though-day (FTD). These distribution days have not been damaging, and normally it is considered healthy for the major averages to have less than 4 distribution days in a four week period. Therefore, the fact that we currently have 5 distribution days for the S&P 500 suggests a more cautious approach may be prudent. Trade accordingly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *