Thursday, August 30, 2018

S&P, NASDAQ Set Fresh Records, Dow Higher 4th Day In Row

The gains are beginning to become monotonous.

As the second estimate of 2Q GDP came in hot, at 4.2%, investors were encouraged to buy even more stocks, sending the S&P and NASDAQ to all-time closing highs, pushing the Dow closer to it's January 26 mark of 26,616.71.

There seems to be nothing in the way of this current hot streak. The Dow is up four straight days and has tacked on nearly 1000 points since August 15.

There's likely to be some kind of pullback this week, though it's probably going to be temporary. With Labor Day upcoming, market professionals will be back to business on Tuesday of next week without much worry.

All signs point to an extension of the record market run.

Dow Jones Industrial Average August Scorecard:

Date Close Gain/Loss Cum. G/L
8/1/18 25,333.82 -81.37 -81.37
8/2/18 25,326.16 -7.66 -89.03
8/3/18 25,462.58 +136.42 +55.05
8/6/18 25,502.18 +39.60 +94.65
8/7/18 25,628.91 +126.73 +221.38
8/8/18 25,583.75 -45.16 +176.22
8/9/18 25,509.23 -74.52 +101.70
8/10/18 25,313.14 -196.09 -94.39
8/13/18 25,187.70 -125.44 -219.83
8/14/18 25,299.92 +112.22 -107.61
8/15/18 25,162.41 -137.51 -245.12
8/16/18 25,558.73 +396.32 +151.20
8/17/18 25,669.32 +110.59 +261.79
8/20/18 25,758.69 +89.37 +351.16
8/21/18 25,822.29 +63.60 +414.76
8/22/18 25,733.60 -88.69 +326.07
8/23/18 25,656.98 -76.62 +249.45
8/24/18 25,790.35 +133.37 +382.82
8/27/18 26,049.64 +259.29 +642.11
8/28/18 26,064.02 +14.38 +656.49
8/29/18 26,124.57 +60.55 +717.04

At the Close, Wednesday, August 29, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 26,124.57, +60.55 (+0.23%)
NASDAQ: 8,109.69, +79.65 (+0.99%)
S&P 500: 2,914.04, +16.52 (+0.57%)
NYSE Composite: 13,132.16, +47.36 (+0.36%)

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Stocks Add Marginally To Upside Awaiting 2nd 2Q GDP Estimate

The Dow Jones Industrial Average tacked on modest gains, as did the NASDAQ and S&P 500. It was the seventh day in the last nine trading session in which the Dow has posted gains. The index is up 900 points since August 15.

On the downside was the NYSE Composite, losing 17 points.

Investors were on hold in advance of Wednesday's second estimate of second quarter GDP. The prior estimate, released in late July, saw the economy rowing at a 4.1% annualized rate.

Dow Jones Industrial Average August Scorecard:

Date Close Gain/Loss Cum. G/L
8/1/18 25,333.82 -81.37 -81.37
8/2/18 25,326.16 -7.66 -89.03
8/3/18 25,462.58 +136.42 +55.05
8/6/18 25,502.18 +39.60 +94.65
8/7/18 25,628.91 +126.73 +221.38
8/8/18 25,583.75 -45.16 +176.22
8/9/18 25,509.23 -74.52 +101.70
8/10/18 25,313.14 -196.09 -94.39
8/13/18 25,187.70 -125.44 -219.83
8/14/18 25,299.92 +112.22 -107.61
8/15/18 25,162.41 -137.51 -245.12
8/16/18 25,558.73 +396.32 +151.20
8/17/18 25,669.32 +110.59 +261.79
8/20/18 25,758.69 +89.37 +351.16
8/21/18 25,822.29 +63.60 +414.76
8/22/18 25,733.60 -88.69 +326.07
8/23/18 25,656.98 -76.62 +249.45
8/24/18 25,790.35 +133.37 +382.82
8/27/18 26,049.64 +259.29 +642.11
8/27/18 26,064.02 +14.38 +656.49

At the Close, Tuesday, August 28, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 26,064.02, +14.38 (+0.06%)
NASDAQ: 8,030.04, +12.14 (+0.15%)
S&P 500: 2,897.52, +0.78 (+0.03%)
NYSE Composite: 13,084.80, -17.23 (-0.13%)

Monday, August 27, 2018

Dow Gains 259, NASDAQ, S&P Set New Record Highs

Since June 27, the NASDAQ has made a strong advance of 572 points, a nifty 7.68% return in two months.

The S&P 500 has tacked on 196 points over the same span, a 7.26% gain.

The Dow has galloped ahead 1933 points in the past two months, 8.02%, topping both index rivals and closed above 26,000 on Monday for the first time since February 1. Overall, investors are piling into stocks, unconvinced that the Fed's now-quarterly interest rate hikes will slow down US production in major industries. Income creation has been a duopoly since the Trump tax cuts became effective after the start of the year and stocks shook off the shocks of February and March.

With the Dow posting gains in six of the last eight sessions, the industrials have added nearly 900 points since August 16. With a three-day holiday dead ahead, the positive vibe may extend through Friday.

There is no other way around it. This rally is real, and has legs. The next FOMC meeting and widely anticipated 25 basis point rate hike is still a month off, on September 25-26.

Along with the NASDAQ and S&P closing at record highs on Monday, the Dow is a mere 600 points from its previous high from January 26 of 26,616.71.

Summertime... and the profits are easy.

Dow Jones Industrial Average August Scorecard:

Date Close Gain/Loss Cum. G/L
8/1/18 25,333.82 -81.37 -81.37
8/2/18 25,326.16 -7.66 -89.03
8/3/18 25,462.58 +136.42 +55.05
8/6/18 25,502.18 +39.60 +94.65
8/7/18 25,628.91 +126.73 +221.38
8/8/18 25,583.75 -45.16 +176.22
8/9/18 25,509.23 -74.52 +101.70
8/10/18 25,313.14 -196.09 -94.39
8/13/18 25,187.70 -125.44 -219.83
8/14/18 25,299.92 +112.22 -107.61
8/15/18 25,162.41 -137.51 -245.12
8/16/18 25,558.73 +396.32 +151.20
8/17/18 25,669.32 +110.59 +261.79
8/20/18 25,758.69 +89.37 +351.16
8/21/18 25,822.29 +63.60 +414.76
8/22/18 25,733.60 -88.69 +326.07
8/23/18 25,656.98 -76.62 +249.45
8/24/18 25,790.35 +133.37 +382.82
8/27/18 26,049.64 +259.29 +642.11

At the Close, Monday, August 27, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 26,049.64, +259.29 (+1.01%)
NASDAQ: 8,017.90, +71.92 (+0.91%)
S&P 500: 2,896.74, +22.05 (+0.77%)
NYSE Composite: 13,102.03, +102.59 (+0.79%)

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Despite Deep State and Media Trump Hatred, US Economy Continues Expansion

Stocks made steady advances through the week and were especially profitable on Friday, as the NASDAQ and S&P 500 reached all-time closing highs.

The week also marked an historic moment on Wednesday, when the current S&P 500 became the longest bull market in US history, though the celebration was largely muted and overshadowed by fake news concerning President Trump.

While Washington and the mainstream media remains focused on unseating a duly-elected president, Wall Street is making hay while the sun shines, living large in the light under Trump's easy fiscal and tough trade policies which have put more money in the pockets of American workers, upset the global status quo, and spurred a delightful rally since he won the presidency in November, 2016.

Many deep state politicians and the loathsome mainstream media seem to be on another planet when it comes to politics and the economy. While middle America is flourishing after years of mismanagement under presidents Bush and Obama, they look the other way when it comes to Trump, refusing to acknowledge his various successes, instead plowing ahead with false narratives that run the gamut from colluding with Russia during the 2016 campaign to steamy affairs with a porn star and a Playboy playmate.

Politicians on the left and even many so-called RHINO Republicans seem content to spend most of their time fomenting fear and hatred. At the same time, Wall Street remains unimpressed and without concern over the political hijinks and wasted efforts to impeach or impair the Trump presidency.

It's a sad state of affairs when the dominant media can only produce stories that are shakily superficial and barely believable. If anything unsettles markets, it would likely come from the swamp creatures in DC and the media, though as of yet, investors and the general US population aren't buying it.

Approaching the final week of unofficial summer, markets are robust but heavily overvalued. Profits since the last recession and the 2008-09 financial crisis have been all too easy. Market veterans know just how quickly good times can turn bad, although since the downturn in February and March there's been little thought or discussion about booking profits, moving to cash positions, or consolidating gains in any concerted fashion.

Bonds have been stable, precious metals have gone into a long, deep reversion, and inflation is not overwhelming. Outside of high valuations and the constant attacks on President Trump, the US economy appears as healthy as it has been in the past 20 years.

Dow Jones Industrial Average August Scorecard:

Date Close Gain/Loss Cum. G/L
8/1/18 25,333.82 -81.37 -81.37
8/2/18 25,326.16 -7.66 -89.03
8/3/18 25,462.58 +136.42 +55.05
8/6/18 25,502.18 +39.60 +94.65
8/7/18 25,628.91 +126.73 +221.38
8/8/18 25,583.75 -45.16 +176.22
8/9/18 25,509.23 -74.52 +101.70
8/10/18 25,313.14 -196.09 -94.39
8/13/18 25,187.70 -125.44 -219.83
8/14/18 25,299.92 +112.22 -107.61
8/15/18 25,162.41 -137.51 -245.12
8/16/18 25,558.73 +396.32 +151.20
8/17/18 25,669.32 +110.59 +261.79
8/20/18 25,758.69 +89.37 +351.16
8/21/18 25,822.29 +63.60 +414.76
8/22/18 25,733.60 -88.69 +326.07
8/23/18 25,656.98 -76.62 +249.45
8/24/18 25,790.35 +133.37 +382.82

At the Close, Friday, August 24, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 25,790.35, +133.37 (+0.52%)
NASDAQ: 7,945.98, +67.52 (+0.86%)
S&P 500: 2,874.69, +17.71 (+0.62%)
NYSE Composite: 12,999.44, +65.98 (+0.51%)

For the Week:
DOW: +121.03 (+0.47%)
NASDAQ: +125.65 (+1.66%)
S&P 500: +24.56 (+0.86%)
NYSE Composite: +91.18 (+0.71%)

Friday, August 24, 2018

Stocks Take A Break, All Major Indices In Red

The S&P just set a record as the longest bull market in US history, the Dow has been on a tear and the Dow Transportation Index just set a new all-time high two days ago, so, it's perfectly natural for stocks to take a breather here.

It is, after all, the 23rd of August, the proverbial dog days of summer. Plenty of people needed to take a break, look things over, calm down, have another mai tai by the pool and relax. Markets have been running at breakneck speed thanks to the Trump hate, tariffs, emerging market slide, Turkey's currency crisis, Italy's break away government, et. al.

Thursday's trading differed from previous session in that all four of the major indices finished lower. Lately, the pattern has been for split markets, with the Dow and NASDAQ moving in opposite directions. Though the losses were not significant, the fact that the direction was similar may signal something more ominous.

Of course, the way markets have been consistently, over time, moving to higher ground, going short here would seem to be a rather risky proposition.

Dow Jones Industrial Average August Scorecard:

Date Close Gain/Loss Cum. G/L
8/1/18 25,333.82 -81.37 -81.37
8/2/18 25,326.16 -7.66 -89.03
8/3/18 25,462.58 +136.42 +55.05
8/6/18 25,502.18 +39.60 +94.65
8/7/18 25,628.91 +126.73 +221.38
8/8/18 25,583.75 -45.16 +176.22
8/9/18 25,509.23 -74.52 +101.70
8/10/18 25,313.14 -196.09 -94.39
8/13/18 25,187.70 -125.44 -219.83
8/14/18 25,299.92 +112.22 -107.61
8/15/18 25,162.41 -137.51 -245.12
8/16/18 25,558.73 +396.32 +151.20
8/17/18 25,669.32 +110.59 +261.79
8/20/18 25,758.69 +89.37 +351.16
8/21/18 25,822.29 +63.60 +414.76
8/22/18 25,733.60 -88.69 +326.07
8/22/18 25,656.98 -76.62 +249.45

At the Close, Thursday, August 23, 2018:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 25,656.98, -76.62 (-0.30%)
NASDAQ: 7,878.46, -10.64 (-0.13%)
S&P 500: 2,856.98, -4.84 (-0.17%)
NYSE Composite: 12,933.46, -57.05 (-0.44%)