US stocks are so hot right now it's difficult to keep up with all the records and new all-time highs. Suffice to say that the Fed continues to pump billions of dollars into the hands of primary dealers, hedge funds, used car dealers, slot machines, you name it.
This market, because of the continuous flow of funny money from the central bank, is as phony as an Iowa caucus, but, if you're long, it's infinitely more enjoyable.
With the Dow up more than 1000 points in three days, most analysts and reporters have run out of superlatives.
Apparently, the threat of a global pandemic from the novel coronavirus has been discounted. Almost all of the reported infections and deaths have been centered in China. Only two deaths outside of China have been reported as having been due to the virus.
On Wednesday, President Trump was acquitted on both impeachment charges. Next time (probably in a few months or so) the Democrats might want to try accusing him of something more concrete than Abuse of Power or Obstruction of Congress, neither of which are crimes, much less high crimes. The only things high were the Democrat deep operatives who dreamt up their poor attempt at a coup d'etat.
In what has to be one of the more amusing stories of the past few days is the unprecedented rise and fall of Elon Musk's Tesla (TSLA) stock, which ran up from a close of 650.57 per share on Friday, January 30, to 887.06 at the close on Tuesday, February 4, and finished the session at 734.70 on Wednesday, the 5th, a loss of 152.36 points (-17.18%), and continues to fall in pre-market trading. One of the most widely-held and most-shorted stocks listed, everybody's a winner with the exploding electric car company.
Just in case there isn't enough juice in the markets to keep the rally alive, China announced overnight that it will cut by half tariffs on 1,717 goods imported from the United States beginning February 14 as part of its agreement to Phase 1 of the US-China trade deal.
Oil continues to hold steady near $50 per barrel of WTI crude, having fallen into a bear market from $64 just a month ago. The US national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is $2.47 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.com.
At the Close, Wednesday, February 5, 2020:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 29,290.85, +483.22 (+1.68%)
NASDAQ: 9,508.68, +40.71 (+0.43%)
S&P 500: 3,334.69, +37.10 (+1.13%)
NYSE: 14,024.86, +162.02 (+1.17%)
Showing posts with label Elon Musk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elon Musk. Show all posts
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Friday, September 28, 2018
Stocks Gain On Positive Economic Data; Elon Musk, Tesla Sued By SEC
The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped a three-day losing streak and the S&P ended its own four-day skein as positive economic numbers boosted confidence, leading to spirited buying early in the session.
Euphoria faded as the day wore on, however. The Dow was up nearly 170 points close to 1:00 pm EDT, but sold off through the afternoon into the close, losing two-thirds of the day's gains. Similar patters were noted on the S&P and the NYSE Composite. The NASDAQ lost some value, though the afternoon swoon was not nearly as severe as on other indices.
The good news came prior to the opening bell. The third estimate of second quarter GDP held steady at 4.2% and durable goods orders for August soared by 4.5%. Upon further review, the durable goods number appeared much weaker than the headline, as much of the increase was supplied by non-defense aircraft orders, which were up 69% and defense capital goods order were up 44%.
Late in the day, word circulated that Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors (TSLA) was being sued for fraud by the SEC.
The SEC alleged that Musk made "false and misleading statements" when he casually stated and tweeted that he could take the company private at $420 a share and also alleged that Musk's tweets caused market chaos, harming investors.
If the SEC's claims hold water, Musk could be stripped of his position and barred from ever running a publicly-traded company. He would also face stiff fines.
The news came too late in the day to affect trading on Thursday, though the stock was down between 10 and 13 percent in pre-market trading Friday morning.
Musk has been a controversial leader of the company he founded, but seems to be beset by psychological demons and may be bi-polar. In addition to his frequent affronts to sensibility, the company has never turned a profit and is deeply in debt. Additionally, Tesla autos have been known to burst into flames upon impact and its auto-pilot feature has been cited by some as a cause for lack of control, leading to a high rate of accidents.
Dow Jones Industrial Average September Scorecard:
At the Close, Thursday, September 27, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 26,439.93, +54.65 (+0.21%)
NASDAQ: 8,041.97, +51.60 (+0.65%)
S&P 500: 2,914.00, +8.03 (+0.28%)
NYSE Composite: 13,105.72, +3.77 (+0.03%)
Euphoria faded as the day wore on, however. The Dow was up nearly 170 points close to 1:00 pm EDT, but sold off through the afternoon into the close, losing two-thirds of the day's gains. Similar patters were noted on the S&P and the NYSE Composite. The NASDAQ lost some value, though the afternoon swoon was not nearly as severe as on other indices.
The good news came prior to the opening bell. The third estimate of second quarter GDP held steady at 4.2% and durable goods orders for August soared by 4.5%. Upon further review, the durable goods number appeared much weaker than the headline, as much of the increase was supplied by non-defense aircraft orders, which were up 69% and defense capital goods order were up 44%.
Late in the day, word circulated that Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors (TSLA) was being sued for fraud by the SEC.
The SEC alleged that Musk made "false and misleading statements" when he casually stated and tweeted that he could take the company private at $420 a share and also alleged that Musk's tweets caused market chaos, harming investors.
If the SEC's claims hold water, Musk could be stripped of his position and barred from ever running a publicly-traded company. He would also face stiff fines.
The news came too late in the day to affect trading on Thursday, though the stock was down between 10 and 13 percent in pre-market trading Friday morning.
Musk has been a controversial leader of the company he founded, but seems to be beset by psychological demons and may be bi-polar. In addition to his frequent affronts to sensibility, the company has never turned a profit and is deeply in debt. Additionally, Tesla autos have been known to burst into flames upon impact and its auto-pilot feature has been cited by some as a cause for lack of control, leading to a high rate of accidents.
Dow Jones Industrial Average September Scorecard:
| Date | Close | Gain/Loss | Cum. G/L |
| 9/4/18 | 25,952.48 | -12.34 | -12.34 |
| 9/5/18 | 25,974.99 | +22.51 | +10.17 |
| 9/6/18 | 25,995.87 | +20.88 | +31.05 |
| 9/7/18 | 25,916.54 | -79.33 | -48.28 |
| 9/10/18 | 25,857.07 | -59.47 | -107.75 |
| 9/11/18 | 25,971.06 | +113.99 | +6.24 |
| 9/12/18 | 25,998.92 | +27.86 | +34.10 |
| 9/13/18 | 26,145.99 | +147.07 | +181.17 |
| 9/14/18 | 26,154.67 | +8.68 | +189.85 |
| 9/17/18 | 26,062.12 | -92.55 | +97.30 |
| 9/18/18 | 26,246.96 | +184.84 | +282.14 |
| 9/19/18 | 26,405.76 | +158.80 | +440.94 |
| 9/20/18 | 26,656.98 | +251.22 | +692.16 |
| 9/21/18 | 26,743.50 | +86.52 | +778.68 |
| 9/24/18 | 26,562.05 | -181.45 | +597.23 |
| 9/25/18 | 26,492.21 | -69.84 | +527.39 |
| 9/26/18 | 26,385.28 | -106.93 | +420.46 |
| 9/27/18 | 26,439.93 | +54.65 | +475.11 |
At the Close, Thursday, September 27, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 26,439.93, +54.65 (+0.21%)
NASDAQ: 8,041.97, +51.60 (+0.65%)
S&P 500: 2,914.00, +8.03 (+0.28%)
NYSE Composite: 13,105.72, +3.77 (+0.03%)
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Weekend Wrap: Investors Disappointed, Spurring September Selloff; Tesla On The Ropes; EM Bears
Tech and transportation stocks, the Dow, and the S&P 500 all registered positive gains in August, but once the three-day Labor Day holiday turned the calendar to September, much of summer's optimism turned to autumn angst as all four of the major indices - lead by tech and the NASDAQ - began showing signs of weariness.
The NASDAQ lost ground in all four of the short week's trading sessions, combining for a 2.55% decline in the first week of September. While much of the losses can be attributed to profit-taking, the biggest declines belonged to the beloved FAANGs, all of which fell in a wide-based tech retreat. Facebook (FB) Amazon (AMZN), Apple (APPL), Netflix (NFLX) and Alphabet, parent of Google (GOOG) all suffered losses, though the biggest decline was seen on the stock of Tesla (TSLA), as continuing concerns over the health not only of the company's finances, but of founder and CEO, Elon Musk, snatched nearly 13% off its price in four days.
Shares of the electric car-maker are down 30% since reaching a peak of 379.57 on August 7. Tesla closed out the week at 263.24, within 10 points of its 52-week low due to a rash of executive departures and strange behavior by Musk, which included threats to critics, talk of taking the company private, crying, drinking, and taking a toke on a joint during a podcast interview.
While Musk's behavior is certainly a major factor influencing the share price, more concerning are questions over the company's continued viability. Yet to turn a profit, Tesla is burdened with an excessive amount of debt and faces competition in the electric car space from the likes of BMW, Porsche, Audi, and scores of Japanese and American automakers as the number of competitive electric autos already in market or due to be soon has steadily increased over the past 18 months.
With a poor track record, mounting issues with reliability and safety, and Musk's seemingly manic-depressive behavior, investors are bracing for the worst, fleeing in record numbers. With share prices still at stratospheric levels, the declines should continue for the foreseeable future.
As for the other tech titans, it would appear that Apple, Google, and Amazon are still in a safe zone, despite lofty valuations, but Facebook and Netflix may suffer further declines. Both companies have internal and external problems which have yet to be addressed adequately. The numbers suggest that users of the social platform and streaming video service are not increasing at the same rates previously encountered and continued growth is a major question.
The Dow appeared to be the safe space for traders until Friday, when it led markets lower despite positive news on employment, with September jobs increasing by 201,000 in August, ahead of analyst estimates, and wage growth increasing to 2.9% annualized.
Though the numbers were encouraging for the middle class, the investor class may have been eyeing the bullish employment figures with a jaded eye, focusing on the upcoming FOMC meeting at the end of the month (September 25-26), in which the Fed is expected to raise the key federal funds rate another 25 basis points, to 2.00-2.25%. The usual knee-jerk reaction to Fed rate hikes is to sell equities and buy bonds, and that dynamic may well have been in play on Friday and might contribute to further selling in the weeks leading up to the policy meeting.
Also on the minds of investors was the global drawdown in emerging markets, which is approaching or already is in bear market conditions. The strong dollar and use of the US as a safe haven has led to capitulation in currencies and markets, especially in Turkey and Argentina, each of which have suffered sharp currency devaluations over the past six months. Turkey is stubbornly fighting the carnage from within, whereas Argentina has supposedly reached agreement on a bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Argentina's condition in world markets seems to be that of a chronic abuser as this is a repetitive pattern by that deadbeat debtor nation.
While the EM bust has yet to affect US markets in any major way, European and Far East markets have felt some pain, especially in Germany, as the DAX is already in correction, down more than 10% this year. If and when the EM issues become a contagion will be a top of mind issue in the weeks and months ahead.
Precious metals and the entire commodity complex continued to face stiff selling. Gold and silver are trading at three-year lows and are vulnerable to any number of potential market shocks. They are traditionally the first assets sold in a widespread market rout and may be signaling more trouble ahead.
While caution is always advisable, the run-up to the US midterm elections may be particularly volatile as cantankerous political forces vie for control of the enormous state and federal governmental complex.
Dow Jones Industrial Average September Scorecard:
At the Close, Friday, September 7, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 25,916.54, -79.33 (-0.31%)
NASDAQ: 7,902.54, -20.18 (-0.25%)
S&P 500: 2,871.68, -6.37 (-0.22%)
NYSE Composite: 12,911.12, -27.79 (-0.21%)
For the Week:
Dow: -48.28 (-0.19%)
NASDAQ: -207.00 (-2.55%)
S&P 500: -29.84 (-1.03%)
NYSE Composite: -105.77 (-0.81%)
The NASDAQ lost ground in all four of the short week's trading sessions, combining for a 2.55% decline in the first week of September. While much of the losses can be attributed to profit-taking, the biggest declines belonged to the beloved FAANGs, all of which fell in a wide-based tech retreat. Facebook (FB) Amazon (AMZN), Apple (APPL), Netflix (NFLX) and Alphabet, parent of Google (GOOG) all suffered losses, though the biggest decline was seen on the stock of Tesla (TSLA), as continuing concerns over the health not only of the company's finances, but of founder and CEO, Elon Musk, snatched nearly 13% off its price in four days.
Shares of the electric car-maker are down 30% since reaching a peak of 379.57 on August 7. Tesla closed out the week at 263.24, within 10 points of its 52-week low due to a rash of executive departures and strange behavior by Musk, which included threats to critics, talk of taking the company private, crying, drinking, and taking a toke on a joint during a podcast interview.
While Musk's behavior is certainly a major factor influencing the share price, more concerning are questions over the company's continued viability. Yet to turn a profit, Tesla is burdened with an excessive amount of debt and faces competition in the electric car space from the likes of BMW, Porsche, Audi, and scores of Japanese and American automakers as the number of competitive electric autos already in market or due to be soon has steadily increased over the past 18 months.
With a poor track record, mounting issues with reliability and safety, and Musk's seemingly manic-depressive behavior, investors are bracing for the worst, fleeing in record numbers. With share prices still at stratospheric levels, the declines should continue for the foreseeable future.
As for the other tech titans, it would appear that Apple, Google, and Amazon are still in a safe zone, despite lofty valuations, but Facebook and Netflix may suffer further declines. Both companies have internal and external problems which have yet to be addressed adequately. The numbers suggest that users of the social platform and streaming video service are not increasing at the same rates previously encountered and continued growth is a major question.
The Dow appeared to be the safe space for traders until Friday, when it led markets lower despite positive news on employment, with September jobs increasing by 201,000 in August, ahead of analyst estimates, and wage growth increasing to 2.9% annualized.
Though the numbers were encouraging for the middle class, the investor class may have been eyeing the bullish employment figures with a jaded eye, focusing on the upcoming FOMC meeting at the end of the month (September 25-26), in which the Fed is expected to raise the key federal funds rate another 25 basis points, to 2.00-2.25%. The usual knee-jerk reaction to Fed rate hikes is to sell equities and buy bonds, and that dynamic may well have been in play on Friday and might contribute to further selling in the weeks leading up to the policy meeting.
Also on the minds of investors was the global drawdown in emerging markets, which is approaching or already is in bear market conditions. The strong dollar and use of the US as a safe haven has led to capitulation in currencies and markets, especially in Turkey and Argentina, each of which have suffered sharp currency devaluations over the past six months. Turkey is stubbornly fighting the carnage from within, whereas Argentina has supposedly reached agreement on a bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Argentina's condition in world markets seems to be that of a chronic abuser as this is a repetitive pattern by that deadbeat debtor nation.
While the EM bust has yet to affect US markets in any major way, European and Far East markets have felt some pain, especially in Germany, as the DAX is already in correction, down more than 10% this year. If and when the EM issues become a contagion will be a top of mind issue in the weeks and months ahead.
Precious metals and the entire commodity complex continued to face stiff selling. Gold and silver are trading at three-year lows and are vulnerable to any number of potential market shocks. They are traditionally the first assets sold in a widespread market rout and may be signaling more trouble ahead.
While caution is always advisable, the run-up to the US midterm elections may be particularly volatile as cantankerous political forces vie for control of the enormous state and federal governmental complex.
Dow Jones Industrial Average September Scorecard:
| Date | Close | Gain/Loss | Cum. G/L |
| 9/4/18 | 25,952.48 | -12.34 | -12.34 |
| 9/5/18 | 25,974.99 | +22.51 | +10.17 |
| 9/6/18 | 25,995.87 | +20.88 | +31.05 |
| 9/7/18 | 25,916.54 | -79.33 | -48.28 |
At the Close, Friday, September 7, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 25,916.54, -79.33 (-0.31%)
NASDAQ: 7,902.54, -20.18 (-0.25%)
S&P 500: 2,871.68, -6.37 (-0.22%)
NYSE Composite: 12,911.12, -27.79 (-0.21%)
For the Week:
Dow: -48.28 (-0.19%)
NASDAQ: -207.00 (-2.55%)
S&P 500: -29.84 (-1.03%)
NYSE Composite: -105.77 (-0.81%)
Friday, September 7, 2018
Tech Rout Deepens As Users Shed Facebook, Global Meltdown Continues, Musk Lights Up
As the Dow posted a second straight smallish gain, the NASDAQ was once again bruised as investors reassessed positions in various high-profile social media and internet stocks.
On Thursday and into early trading Friday, equity indices around the world were in a sea of red, though South American stocks rebounded into their Thursday closes as Argentina prepares for a new round of financing from the IMF. Argentina's currency and stocks have been in free fall, and the IMF bailout is yet another in a series of bad financing deals for the South American basket case.
Facebook (FB) suffered another in a continuing series of declines, losing 4.65 points to close at 162.53. The 2.78% loss was the sixth in the last seven session, leaving the troubled social media platform down 55 points since July 25th, the most recent catalyst a Pew Research report that found one in four users deleting the Facebook app from their mobile phones among other startling statistics.
Facebook's problems stem from revelations that they violated their own privacy policies by sharing private user data with third parties, but perhaps more and more people are beginning to realize that the high school acquaintances they've reconnected with on Facebook are still boorish, stupid, or otherwise stuck on themselves.
Being the ultimate tool for narcissism, Facebook's days may be numbered.
Tesla (TSLA) stock was taking a hit (pun intended) after enigmatic founder and CEO, Elon Musk, was seen toking on a blunt filled with tobacco and marijuana on Joe Rogan's popular Podcast. Shares were trending lower, down 1.40% prior to the regular trading open.
Perhaps Musk's message to shareholders should be, "just chill."
Facebook and Tesla shares are both down more than 20% from recent highs.
Dow Jones Industrial Average September Scorecard:
At the Close, Thursday, September 6, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 25,995.87, +20.88 (+0.08%)
NASDAQ: 7,922.73, -72.45 (-0.91%)
S&P 500: 2,878.05, -10.55 (-0.37%)
NYSE Composite: 12,938.91, -29.64 (-0.23%)
On Thursday and into early trading Friday, equity indices around the world were in a sea of red, though South American stocks rebounded into their Thursday closes as Argentina prepares for a new round of financing from the IMF. Argentina's currency and stocks have been in free fall, and the IMF bailout is yet another in a series of bad financing deals for the South American basket case.
Facebook (FB) suffered another in a continuing series of declines, losing 4.65 points to close at 162.53. The 2.78% loss was the sixth in the last seven session, leaving the troubled social media platform down 55 points since July 25th, the most recent catalyst a Pew Research report that found one in four users deleting the Facebook app from their mobile phones among other startling statistics.
Facebook's problems stem from revelations that they violated their own privacy policies by sharing private user data with third parties, but perhaps more and more people are beginning to realize that the high school acquaintances they've reconnected with on Facebook are still boorish, stupid, or otherwise stuck on themselves.
Being the ultimate tool for narcissism, Facebook's days may be numbered.
Tesla (TSLA) stock was taking a hit (pun intended) after enigmatic founder and CEO, Elon Musk, was seen toking on a blunt filled with tobacco and marijuana on Joe Rogan's popular Podcast. Shares were trending lower, down 1.40% prior to the regular trading open.
Perhaps Musk's message to shareholders should be, "just chill."
Facebook and Tesla shares are both down more than 20% from recent highs.
Dow Jones Industrial Average September Scorecard:
| Date | Close | Gain/Loss | Cum. G/L |
| 9/4/18 | 25,952.48 | -12.34 | -12.34 |
| 9/5/18 | 25,974.99 | +22.51 | +10.17 |
| 9/6/18 | 25,995.87, | +20.88 | +31.05 |
At the Close, Thursday, September 6, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 25,995.87, +20.88 (+0.08%)
NASDAQ: 7,922.73, -72.45 (-0.91%)
S&P 500: 2,878.05, -10.55 (-0.37%)
NYSE Composite: 12,938.91, -29.64 (-0.23%)
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Which Way Is Up? Markets Careen As Trump Makes Deal With EU, Facebook Falls From Grace
It's too early to call it a trend, but the Dow broke out of the trading range in which it had been ensconced for over four months after President Trump met with European Commission president Claude Junker and announced a breakthrough on trade and tariff negotiations between the European Union and the United States, forestalling what many feared would become a trade war.
The Dow, which had been lumbering below the unchanged line most of the session, broke above it shortly after 3:00 pm EDT, and then rocketed higher, gaining over 150 points in the final half hour of trading.
The other indices responded in similar manner, though after hours, Facebook (FB) took a severe lashing, losing 24% at one point, after its second quarter earnings failed to meet expectations. Facebook's fall sent NASDAQ futures into a 1.5% nosedive, though they're recovering prior to Thursday's opening bell.
What is most important to note about these developments is the movement in the Dow. According to Dow Theory, the index entered bear market conditions on April 9, when the Dow Jones Transportation Index confirmed the Industrial Average's February-March double-dip off January highs. Besides the reliability of Dow Theory in gauging market movement and primary trends, stocks have not readily behaved as they would in an ordinary bear market, with both the NASDAQ and S&P recovering to make all-time highs, the most recent, just Wednesday, as the NASDAQ set a new, high-water mark at the close.
The current episode of market mania is being driven by forces both unforeseen and unseen, most of it emanating from Washington, D.C., where, on one hand, President Trump's audacious approach to governance and world politics has thus far returned positive results, including Wednesday's breakthrough with the EC.
Thus, the number that bears watching continues to be the January 23 all-time closing high on the Dow of 26,616.71. While the index has broken above what was considerable resistance, it still has a wall of worry - and about 1200 points - to climb before the existence of bearish conditions can be eliminated.
On the other side of the coin, Facebook's woes may only be the beginning for the tech sector, the NASDAQ and the market as a whole. Next up on the chopping block appears to be Tesla (TSLA), whose CEO, Elon Musk, has been raising concerns about the company as a whole by his strange and possibly bi-polar behavior. Tesla is under considerable pressure to produce positive results after months of scrutiny over its cars exploding, production questions, quality concerns and the general mental well-being of its founder and CEO.
Tech stocks have largely been the driver behind the rise of the NASDAQ, whereas President Trump has been generally holding down the Dow. Now those two elements appear to be working in reverse, and the result could be a shock to both the upside on the Dow and the downside on the NASDAQ.
It's hard to imagine the two indices diverging for very long, but the future is unknowable. With Trump "winning" on many fronts, he still faces a massive horde of opposition in Washington, not only from Democrats and the so-called "deep state," but from members of his own party as well.
Add the Fed's unwinding of its balance sheet and relentless quarter-by-quarter raising of interest rates and you have an imperfect storm through which stock and bond speculators and investors must navigate.
Rough seas ahead, for certain, but in which direction? With so much on the deck and cross-currents blowing in every direction, trading should become volatile and choppy until November, when the midterm elections will likely determine the ultimate direction of not just the stock market but of the US and global economy as well.
Dow Jones Industrial Average July Scorecard:
At the Close, Wednesday, July 25, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 25,414.10, +172.16 (+0.68%)
NASDAQ: 7,932.24, +91.47 (+1.17%)
S&P 500: 2,846.07, +25.67 (+0.91%)
NYSE Composite: 12,933.63, +86.14 (+0.67%)
The Dow, which had been lumbering below the unchanged line most of the session, broke above it shortly after 3:00 pm EDT, and then rocketed higher, gaining over 150 points in the final half hour of trading.
The other indices responded in similar manner, though after hours, Facebook (FB) took a severe lashing, losing 24% at one point, after its second quarter earnings failed to meet expectations. Facebook's fall sent NASDAQ futures into a 1.5% nosedive, though they're recovering prior to Thursday's opening bell.
What is most important to note about these developments is the movement in the Dow. According to Dow Theory, the index entered bear market conditions on April 9, when the Dow Jones Transportation Index confirmed the Industrial Average's February-March double-dip off January highs. Besides the reliability of Dow Theory in gauging market movement and primary trends, stocks have not readily behaved as they would in an ordinary bear market, with both the NASDAQ and S&P recovering to make all-time highs, the most recent, just Wednesday, as the NASDAQ set a new, high-water mark at the close.
The current episode of market mania is being driven by forces both unforeseen and unseen, most of it emanating from Washington, D.C., where, on one hand, President Trump's audacious approach to governance and world politics has thus far returned positive results, including Wednesday's breakthrough with the EC.
Thus, the number that bears watching continues to be the January 23 all-time closing high on the Dow of 26,616.71. While the index has broken above what was considerable resistance, it still has a wall of worry - and about 1200 points - to climb before the existence of bearish conditions can be eliminated.
On the other side of the coin, Facebook's woes may only be the beginning for the tech sector, the NASDAQ and the market as a whole. Next up on the chopping block appears to be Tesla (TSLA), whose CEO, Elon Musk, has been raising concerns about the company as a whole by his strange and possibly bi-polar behavior. Tesla is under considerable pressure to produce positive results after months of scrutiny over its cars exploding, production questions, quality concerns and the general mental well-being of its founder and CEO.
Tech stocks have largely been the driver behind the rise of the NASDAQ, whereas President Trump has been generally holding down the Dow. Now those two elements appear to be working in reverse, and the result could be a shock to both the upside on the Dow and the downside on the NASDAQ.
It's hard to imagine the two indices diverging for very long, but the future is unknowable. With Trump "winning" on many fronts, he still faces a massive horde of opposition in Washington, not only from Democrats and the so-called "deep state," but from members of his own party as well.
Add the Fed's unwinding of its balance sheet and relentless quarter-by-quarter raising of interest rates and you have an imperfect storm through which stock and bond speculators and investors must navigate.
Rough seas ahead, for certain, but in which direction? With so much on the deck and cross-currents blowing in every direction, trading should become volatile and choppy until November, when the midterm elections will likely determine the ultimate direction of not just the stock market but of the US and global economy as well.
Dow Jones Industrial Average July Scorecard:
| Date | Close | Gain/Loss | Cum. G/L |
| 7/2/18 | 24,307.18 | +35.77 | +35.77 |
| 7/3/18 | 24,174.82 | -132.36 | -96.59 |
| 7/5/18 | 24,345.44 | +181.92 | +85.33 |
| 7/6/18 | 24,456.48 | +99.74 | +185.07 |
| 7/9/18 | 24,776.59 | +320.11 | +505.18 |
| 7/10/18 | 24,919.66 | +143.07 | +648.25 |
| 7/11/18 | 24,700.45 | -219.21 | +429.04 |
| 7/12/18 | 24,924.89 | +224.44 | +653.48 |
| 7/13/18 | 25,019.41 | +94.52 | +748.00 |
| 7/16/18 | 25,064.36 | +44.95 | +792.95 |
| 7/17/18 | 25,119.89 | +55.53 | +848.48 |
| 7/18/18 | 25,199.29 | +79.40 | +927.88 |
| 7/19/18 | 25,064.50 | -134.79 | +793.09 |
| 7/20/18 | 25,058.12 | -6.38 | +786.71 |
| 7/23/18 | 25,044.29 | -13.83 | +772.88 |
| 7/24/18 | 25,241.94 | +197.65 | +970.53 |
| 7/25/18 | 25,414.10 | +172.16 | +1142.69 |
At the Close, Wednesday, July 25, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 25,414.10, +172.16 (+0.68%)
NASDAQ: 7,932.24, +91.47 (+1.17%)
S&P 500: 2,846.07, +25.67 (+0.91%)
NYSE Composite: 12,933.63, +86.14 (+0.67%)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
