Though many doubted the thrust and wisdom of the Federal Reserve's QE2 and ZIRP efforts, the Fed can now claim some success.
That success, however, is limited to one's perception. If higher commodity, food and energy prices, a completely collapsed housing market and a stock market rally in which almost nobody participates is one's idea of success, then a big hand for Chairman Bernanke and his merry band of idiots otherwise known as the Board of Governors of the Fed.
It was reported yesterday in this space that trading volume had sunk to its lowest level of the year. Today's numbers were a mirror image, marking the two slowest trading days of the year, for sure, and possibly the lowest two-day total volume since sometime in 2009.
So much for the so-called wealth effect we hear so much about. The only investors actually trading are the Primary Dealers with their virtually-free POMO money. It's almost as though the markets have lost the confidence of the individual investor forever. Surely, those with pension funds tied to the market must be seeing better returns, but how long they will last is anyone's guess, though it's fair to say that as long as the Fed continues to throw $100 billion or more into the fray, stocks will keep rising. It's been about the easiest trade ever.
There isn't much more to say about today's gains other than they completely disregarded the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan, which is now almost completely out of control, as one reactor appears to have melted through its containment vessel.
The wild-eyed buyers of today also paid no heed to the S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city index, which confirmed that housing has entered the double-dip phase, falling for the sixth consecutive month. Of course, that would assume that one believes the first dip ever ended.
And everybody simply looked the other way when the Conference Board showed its index of consumer confidence fell to 63.4 this month, from a revised 72.0 in February.
Apparently, we mere mortals simply don't understand the stock market, where news is always bullish, no matter how bad it is. Supposedly, a comet obliterating all of Europe would be cause for a 1000-point rally according to the current metrics.
Whatever is going on down on the trading floors and at the desks of the biggest brokerages, it simply doesn't jibe with reality, but that's what we've got, a rogue market on its very own illogical trajectory.
Dow 12,279.01, +81.13 (0.67%)
NASDAQ 2,756.89, +26.21 (0.96%)
S&P 500 1,319.44, +9.25 (0.71%)
NYSE Composite 8,345.38, +48.86 (0.59%)
Advancers led decliners, 4381-2145. The NASDAQ reported 114 new highs and 27 new lows. On the NYSE, there were 117 new highs and 12 new lows.
NASDAQ Volume 1,610,826,875
NYSE Volume 3,856,315,250
Commodities were mixed, with oil up 81 cents on the front-end WTI contract, to $104.79. Gold slipped $3.70, to $1,416.20 and silver fell 10 cents, to $36.99 per ounce.
This represents one of the more confusing markets in history. Bad news simply will not move stocks to the downside, and any downward move is met with a rally in short order, wiping away any and all losses in a matter or days, or hours.
Hardly mentioned is the upcoming non-farm payroll data courtesy of the BLS on April 1, this Friday, though prior to that, on Wednesday, ADP will report their proprietary survey of private sector employment. That little nugget will be released at 8:15 am, EDT, though it's generally not a market mover, being widely discredited as being unreliable.
This is fun for somebody, but who that might be remains a mystery.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Late Selling Sends Indices to Losses
Make no mistake about it, something was up when all the major indices did an abrupt about-face in the final half hour of trading.
There was no earth-shattering news, no announcements, nothing, except some of the big players pulling their bids to see what would happen on what turned out to be the lowest volume day of the year.
It didn't take long for the results to be seen: immediate capitulation. There is absolutely no faith in stocks, in this market, in the US economy or the global economy. Everything has been gliding along on top of bank bailout, trillions of dollars in liquidity injections and stimulus, and yet, the economy is still weak, possibly about to roll over into the second phase of the depression, without the backstop of global money-printing by central banks.
Today was a test run. The test revealed what everybody with at least half a functioning cerebral cortex already knew: we're screwed. Once the Fed stops its daily injection of liquidity through POMO and other behind-the-scenes operations, the market crashes. It's exactly why the Fed would not allow Bank of America to increase its dividend from the absurd (.01) to the ridiculous (.02) last week. They're a victim, about to be sucked under by bad debt, never written down properly and put-backs by the various parties to whom they sold the toxic MBS in the first place.
The death of Bank of America will not be a pretty sight, but it is overdue by some two years and is eventually unavoidable. The only question remaining is exactly when the plug is finally pulled and that is something nobody can predict with confidence.
What was truly remarkable about today's 30-minute nuke test was the overall number of decliners as compared to advancers. The ratio was far out of the range expected in such a small decline. Losers led gainers, 3843-2674.
Dow 12,197.88, -22.71 (0.19%)
NASDAQ 2,730.68, -12.38 (0.45%)
S&P 500 1,310.19, -3.61 (0.27%)
NYSE Composite 8,296.52, -25.26 (0.30%)
On the NASDAQ, there were 109 new highs and 22 new lows. There were 114 new highs and 16 new lows on the NYSE. Be prepared for these numbers to converge again and possibly roll over. The falls from the February 18 highs were truncated when buyers stepped in at support levels over the last two weeks. Capitulation never occurred and the market correction of 10-15% turned out to be only a 4-6% decline. Resumption of the correction could have begun late today, but look for any tell-tale signs in the A-D line (like today) and of course volume and the new high-new low readings.
NASDAQ Volume 1,687,059,000
NYSE Volume 3,583,604,000
Crude oil dipped again today, as the ground conditions in Libya seem to be improving, meaning that NATO air strikes have taken their toll on the rogue government's advances and the rebels are gaining an upper hand. WTI crude fell $1.42, to $103.98. Relief at the gas pump would be welcome, but the Middle east situation is still largely unresolved and volatile. Expect crude to trade around $100 per barrel for the foreseeable future with gas prices in the US hovering in the $3.40-3.80 range through the Spring. Summer could witness a complete reversal due to easing tensions and slack demand.
Gold finished slightly lower, losing $6.30, to $1,419.90. Silver gained 4 cents, holding at $37.09.
There are key releases of economic data this week, beginning with the S&P/Case-Shiller 10 and 20-city indices on Tuesday and the BLS non-farm payroll data on Friday. Of course, Thursday is the end of month and first quarter, so portfolio realignment should cause more volatility and another spike in the VIX is more probable this week than over the past two when it was pounded down by Fed liquidity.
Reality is taking a firm footing here and around the world. The containment of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is far from over and needs to be handled much more diligently than it has been to this point. It is not under control still and needs to be handled as a global threat because it is.
The news coming out of Japan on all matters related to the nuclear plant that has become now nothing more than a toxic, nuclear dump site leeching radioactive isotopes into the air, into ground water and the ocean. This should have been completely handled at least a week ago. It is now closing in on three weeks since the quake and the situation is still worsening despite what may be reported by major news sources.
There was no earth-shattering news, no announcements, nothing, except some of the big players pulling their bids to see what would happen on what turned out to be the lowest volume day of the year.
It didn't take long for the results to be seen: immediate capitulation. There is absolutely no faith in stocks, in this market, in the US economy or the global economy. Everything has been gliding along on top of bank bailout, trillions of dollars in liquidity injections and stimulus, and yet, the economy is still weak, possibly about to roll over into the second phase of the depression, without the backstop of global money-printing by central banks.
Today was a test run. The test revealed what everybody with at least half a functioning cerebral cortex already knew: we're screwed. Once the Fed stops its daily injection of liquidity through POMO and other behind-the-scenes operations, the market crashes. It's exactly why the Fed would not allow Bank of America to increase its dividend from the absurd (.01) to the ridiculous (.02) last week. They're a victim, about to be sucked under by bad debt, never written down properly and put-backs by the various parties to whom they sold the toxic MBS in the first place.
The death of Bank of America will not be a pretty sight, but it is overdue by some two years and is eventually unavoidable. The only question remaining is exactly when the plug is finally pulled and that is something nobody can predict with confidence.
What was truly remarkable about today's 30-minute nuke test was the overall number of decliners as compared to advancers. The ratio was far out of the range expected in such a small decline. Losers led gainers, 3843-2674.
Dow 12,197.88, -22.71 (0.19%)
NASDAQ 2,730.68, -12.38 (0.45%)
S&P 500 1,310.19, -3.61 (0.27%)
NYSE Composite 8,296.52, -25.26 (0.30%)
On the NASDAQ, there were 109 new highs and 22 new lows. There were 114 new highs and 16 new lows on the NYSE. Be prepared for these numbers to converge again and possibly roll over. The falls from the February 18 highs were truncated when buyers stepped in at support levels over the last two weeks. Capitulation never occurred and the market correction of 10-15% turned out to be only a 4-6% decline. Resumption of the correction could have begun late today, but look for any tell-tale signs in the A-D line (like today) and of course volume and the new high-new low readings.
NASDAQ Volume 1,687,059,000
NYSE Volume 3,583,604,000
Crude oil dipped again today, as the ground conditions in Libya seem to be improving, meaning that NATO air strikes have taken their toll on the rogue government's advances and the rebels are gaining an upper hand. WTI crude fell $1.42, to $103.98. Relief at the gas pump would be welcome, but the Middle east situation is still largely unresolved and volatile. Expect crude to trade around $100 per barrel for the foreseeable future with gas prices in the US hovering in the $3.40-3.80 range through the Spring. Summer could witness a complete reversal due to easing tensions and slack demand.
Gold finished slightly lower, losing $6.30, to $1,419.90. Silver gained 4 cents, holding at $37.09.
There are key releases of economic data this week, beginning with the S&P/Case-Shiller 10 and 20-city indices on Tuesday and the BLS non-farm payroll data on Friday. Of course, Thursday is the end of month and first quarter, so portfolio realignment should cause more volatility and another spike in the VIX is more probable this week than over the past two when it was pounded down by Fed liquidity.
Reality is taking a firm footing here and around the world. The containment of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is far from over and needs to be handled much more diligently than it has been to this point. It is not under control still and needs to be handled as a global threat because it is.
The news coming out of Japan on all matters related to the nuclear plant that has become now nothing more than a toxic, nuclear dump site leeching radioactive isotopes into the air, into ground water and the ocean. This should have been completely handled at least a week ago. It is now closing in on three weeks since the quake and the situation is still worsening despite what may be reported by major news sources.
Friday, March 25, 2011
A Great Week for Stocks. Not So Good for People
Stocks were off to a slow start on Friday, but got a boost around 10:20 am EDT which lasted until shortly after noon, at which point profit-takers took over and remained in charge to the closing bell.
Overall, it was a banner week for stocks, based entirely on nothing in particular and mostly ignoring the horrendous news - both financial and international - that kept flowing every day.
For instance, the situation in Libya is nowhere near stabilizing and, given the steadfastness of Muhammar Gadaffi to remain in power, may escalate into a wider conflict. Yemen, Syria and Bahrain are still in the throes of wild civil unrest. Conditions at the nuclear reactor facilities in Japan have worsened by the day, and are nowhere near being resolved.
Portugal's government is all but dissolved and the Irish bailout is falling apart. Most of Europe is facing much the same situation as prevails in the US, no recovery and no signs of improvement. Additionally, leading political figures either don't seem to know what to do or simply don't want to do anything to better the lot of their citizenry.
Investors apparently are taking this all in stride, were it not for the fact that said investors are actually computer algorithms running at warp speed for the various banks and hedge funds who are clipping retail investors every chance they get.
The major indices were up four out of five days, the only down day being Tuesday, and it was a minor decline. The Dow finished ahead 262 points, or about 2.2%. The NASDAQ tacked on a cool 100 points, or nearly 4%. The S&P was up by 37 points, almost 3%, and the NYSE gained 205 points, or 2.5%.
Life was less good for residents of Libya, who are under military siege, and Japan, many of whom are homeless, while Tokyo residents are concerned about irradiated drinking water, already told by their authorities that the levels of iodine in some of that water is unsafe for infants and babies (and probably not too good for adults). Th remainder of the civilized world only had to put up with rising prices for gas or petrol, although life in South America and Central America remains relatively peaceful compared to the rest.
Dow 12,220.59, +50.03 (0.41%)
NASDAQ 2,743.06, +6.64 (0.24%)
S&P 500 1,313.80, +4.14 (0.32%)
NYSE Composite 8,321.78, +10.17 (0.12%)
Advancing issues bettered decliners by a score of 3980-2536. New highs on the NASDAQ totaled 143, to 21 new lows. On the NYSE, there were 243 new highs and just 8 new lows, which was not surprising, since volume was at levels not worth even watching, a sign that participation levels are a fraction of what they used to be, before the 2008 crash and the onset of completely rigged, centrally-planned, manipulated markets designed to keep the global Ponzi scheme of central bankers looking like it cannot fail.
NASDAQ Volume 1,771,109,000.00
NYSE Volume 3,934,565,000
WTI crude oil was flat, losing 20 cents, to $105.40. Gold and silver received their customary Friday smack-down, with gold losing $8.70, to $1,426.20 and silver down 33 cents, to $37.05.
Considering events, it was a banner week for the New World Order (NWO), in which everything you see or hear in the mainstream media is fake, phony and otherwise watered-down to prevent people from understanding just how dire global finances really are.
Have a great weekend and if body parts begin to glow in the dark, you can thank our leaders for keeping us safe from runaway, uncontrolled nuclear accidents.
Overall, it was a banner week for stocks, based entirely on nothing in particular and mostly ignoring the horrendous news - both financial and international - that kept flowing every day.
For instance, the situation in Libya is nowhere near stabilizing and, given the steadfastness of Muhammar Gadaffi to remain in power, may escalate into a wider conflict. Yemen, Syria and Bahrain are still in the throes of wild civil unrest. Conditions at the nuclear reactor facilities in Japan have worsened by the day, and are nowhere near being resolved.
Portugal's government is all but dissolved and the Irish bailout is falling apart. Most of Europe is facing much the same situation as prevails in the US, no recovery and no signs of improvement. Additionally, leading political figures either don't seem to know what to do or simply don't want to do anything to better the lot of their citizenry.
Investors apparently are taking this all in stride, were it not for the fact that said investors are actually computer algorithms running at warp speed for the various banks and hedge funds who are clipping retail investors every chance they get.
The major indices were up four out of five days, the only down day being Tuesday, and it was a minor decline. The Dow finished ahead 262 points, or about 2.2%. The NASDAQ tacked on a cool 100 points, or nearly 4%. The S&P was up by 37 points, almost 3%, and the NYSE gained 205 points, or 2.5%.
Life was less good for residents of Libya, who are under military siege, and Japan, many of whom are homeless, while Tokyo residents are concerned about irradiated drinking water, already told by their authorities that the levels of iodine in some of that water is unsafe for infants and babies (and probably not too good for adults). Th remainder of the civilized world only had to put up with rising prices for gas or petrol, although life in South America and Central America remains relatively peaceful compared to the rest.
Dow 12,220.59, +50.03 (0.41%)
NASDAQ 2,743.06, +6.64 (0.24%)
S&P 500 1,313.80, +4.14 (0.32%)
NYSE Composite 8,321.78, +10.17 (0.12%)
Advancing issues bettered decliners by a score of 3980-2536. New highs on the NASDAQ totaled 143, to 21 new lows. On the NYSE, there were 243 new highs and just 8 new lows, which was not surprising, since volume was at levels not worth even watching, a sign that participation levels are a fraction of what they used to be, before the 2008 crash and the onset of completely rigged, centrally-planned, manipulated markets designed to keep the global Ponzi scheme of central bankers looking like it cannot fail.
NASDAQ Volume 1,771,109,000.00
NYSE Volume 3,934,565,000
WTI crude oil was flat, losing 20 cents, to $105.40. Gold and silver received their customary Friday smack-down, with gold losing $8.70, to $1,426.20 and silver down 33 cents, to $37.05.
Considering events, it was a banner week for the New World Order (NWO), in which everything you see or hear in the mainstream media is fake, phony and otherwise watered-down to prevent people from understanding just how dire global finances really are.
Have a great weekend and if body parts begin to glow in the dark, you can thank our leaders for keeping us safe from runaway, uncontrolled nuclear accidents.
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