Thursday, August 24, 2023

Stocks Reversing Lower into Final Hour on More Hawkish Fed Worries, Rising Long-Term Rates, Dollar Strength, Tech/Retail Sector Weakness

Broad Equity Market Tone:

  • Advance/Decline Line: Substantially Lower
  • Sector Performance: Almost Every Sector Declining
  • Volume: Below Average
  • Market Leading Stocks: Outperforming
Equity Investor Angst:
  • Volatility(VIX) 16.8 +5.1%
  • DJIA Intraday % Swing 1.25%
  • Bloomberg Global Risk On/Risk Off Index 68.2 -.6%
  • Euro/Yen Carry Return Index 166.98 +.22%
  • Emerging Markets Currency Volatility(VXY) 9.0 +1.0%
  • CBOE S&P 500 Implied Correlation Index 23.9 +10.3% 
  • ISE Sentiment Index 92.0 -17.0 points
  • Total Put/Call 1.0 -14.5%
  • NYSE Arms 1.33 -31.8%
Credit Investor Angst:
  • North American Investment Grade CDS Index 67.3 +1.52%
  • US Energy High-Yield OAS 331.72 +.7%
  • Bloomberg TRACE # Distressed Bonds Traded 359.0 -4.0
  • European Financial Sector CDS Index 85.27 +.26% 
  • Deutsche Bank Subordinated 5Y Credit Default Swap 267.45 -.48%
  • Italian/German 10Y Yld Spread 166.0 basis points +1.0 basis point
  • Asia Ex-Japan Investment Grade CDS Index 128.61 -.47%
  • Emerging Market CDS Index 208.82 -.58%
  • China Corp. High-Yield Bond USD ETF(KHYB) 24.9 unch.
  • 2-Year SOFR Swap Spread -12.75 basis points -.25 basis point
  • TED Spread 18.5 basis points -.5 basis point
  • 3-Month EUR/USD Cross-Currency Basis Swap -12.0 -.75 basis point
  • MBS  5/10 Treasury Spread 179.0 unch.
  • Bloomberg CMBS Investment Grade Bbb Average OAS 772.0 unch.
  • Avg. Auto ABS OAS 70.0 unch.
Economic Gauges:
  • Bloomberg Emerging Markets Currency Index 43.3 +1.8%
  • 3-Month T-Bill Yield 5.47% +4.0 basis points
  • China Iron Ore Spot 112.3 USD/Metric Tonne +.36%
  • Dutch TTF Nat Gas(European benchmark) 31.9 euros/megawatt-hour -13.3%
  • Citi US Economic Surprise Index 60.5 +.5 point
  • Citi Eurozone Economic Surprise Index -64.8 +.4 point
  • Citi Emerging Markets Economic Surprise Index 2.4 -.3 point
  • S&P 500 Current Quarter EPS Growth Rate YoY(482 of 500 reporting) -6.2%  +1.1 percentage point
  • S&P 500 Blended Forward 12 Months Mean EPS Estimate 235.73 n/a:  Growth Rate +7.4% n/a, P/E 18.8 n/a
  • S&P 500 Current Year Estimated Profit Margin 12.18% -1.0 basis point
  • NYSE FANG+ Current Quarter EPS Growth Rate YoY(10 of 10 reporting) +24.3% +7.3 percentage points
  • NYSE FANG+ Blended Forward 12 Months Mean EPS Estimate 234.17 n/a: Growth Rate +42.7% n/a, P/E 32.8 n/a
  • Bloomberg US Financial Conditions Index .32 +6.0 basis points
  • Bloomberg Euro-Zone Financial Conditions Index -.09 -11.0 basis points
  • US Yield Curve -78.75 basis points (2s/10s) -2.25 basis points
  • US Atlanta Fed 2Q GDPNow Forecast +5.91% +15.0 basis points
  • Cleveland Fed Inflation Nowcast Core PCE YoY +4.23% unch.: CPI YoY +3.83% +1.0 basis point
  • 10-Year TIPS Spread 2.33 -2.0 basis points
  • Highest target rate probability for Nov. 1st FOMC meeting: 54.6%(-3.2 percentage points) chance of 5.25%-5.5%. Highest target rate probability for Dec. 13th meeting: 53.7%(-1.4 percentage points) chance of 5.25%-5.5%.
Overseas Futures:
  • Nikkei 225 Futures: Indicating -532 open in Japan 
  • China A50 Futures: Indicating -57 open in China
  • DAX Futures: Indicating +19 open in Germany
Portfolio:
  • Lower:  On losses in my tech/industrial/medical/transport sector longs
  • Disclosed Trades: Added to my (IWM)/(QQQ) hedges and to my emerging market shorts
  • Market Exposure: Moved to 50% Net Long

Bear Radar

Style Underperformer:

  • Small-Cap Growth -.9%
Sector Underperformers:
  • 1) Alt Energy -2.3% 2) Semis -1.9% 3) Airlines -1.9%
Stocks Falling on Unusual Volume: 
  • SNOW, CLDX, UPWK, SMCI, BURL, DLTR, SPR and AMC
Stocks With Unusual Put Option Activity:
  • 1) DLTR 2) CHPT 3) GRPN 4) BURL 5) LC
Stocks With Most Negative News Mentions:
  • 1) OIG 2) WOOF 3) OPRA 4) UFI 5) SPR
Charts:

Bull Radar

Style Outperformer:

  • Large-Cap Value -.3%
Sector Outperformers:
  • Insurance +.7% 2) Electric Vehicles +.5% 3) Regional Banks +.5%
Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume:
  • GES, VFS, BBW, SPLK, EHAB, FL, FIHL, GRPN, SAVA, WB, BMA, FUTU, ITOS, FWRD and NVDA
Stocks With Unusual Call Option Activity:
  • 1) SPLK 2) DLTR 3) IYR 4) ADSK 5) ANF
Stocks With Most Positive News Mentions:
  • 1) NVDA 2) GES 3) BBW 4) SPLK 5) BLZE

Tomorrow's Earnings/Economic Releases of Note; Market Movers

Earnings of Note 
Company/Estimate 

Before the Open:
  • (HIBB)/.73
After the Close: 
  • None of note
Economic Releases  
10:00 am EST
  • Univ. of Mich. Consumer Sentiment final readings.

11:00 am EST

  • Kansas City Fed Services Activity Index for Aug.

Upcoming Splits 

  • (RUSHA) 3-for-2
Other Potential Market Movers
  • The Fed's Powell speaking and the German GDP report could also impact global trading tomorrow.
US Equity Market Hours
  • 9:30 am - 4:00 pm EST

Mid-Day Market Internals

NYSE Composite Index:

  • NYSE Volume Running -12.5% Below 100-Day Average 
  • Nasdaq/NYSE Volume Ratio 9.8 +1.9
  • 7 Sectors Declining, 4 Sectors Rising
  • 35.9% of Issues Advancing, 60.6% Declining
  • 41 New 52-Week Highs, 69 New Lows
  • 45.9%(-.5%) of Issues Above 200-day Moving Average
  • Average 14-Day RSI 40.0 -1.0
  • Bloomberg Global Risk-On/Risk-Off Index 68.4 -.2%
  • Russell 1000: Growth/Value 17,398.8 -.71%
  • 1-Day Vix 13.3 -13.4%
  • Vix 16.6 +3.7%
  • Total Put/Call 1.07 -8.6%
  • TRIN/Arms 1.22 -37.4%

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Thursday Watch

Evening Headlines

Bloomberg:

Zero Hedge:

Wall Street Journal:
CNBC.com:
Investing.com:
TheGatewayPundit.com:
Twitter: 
OpenVAERS:
SKirsch.com:
Night Trading 
  • Asian equity indices are -.25% to +.75% on average.
  • Asia Ex-Japan Investment Grade CDS Index 122.0 -9.5 basis points. 
  • China Sovereign CDS 79.25 -2.0 basis points.
  • China Iron Ore Spot 113.9 USD/Metric Tonne +.49%.
  • Bloomberg Emerging Markets Currency Index 42.5 +.01%.
  • Bloomberg Global Risk-On/Risk Off Index 69.3 +1.0%. 
  • Bloomberg US Financial Conditions Index 30.0 +4.0 basis points.
  • Volatility Index(VIX) futures 17.0 -1.7%.
  • Euro Stoxx 50 futures +.30%.
  • S&P 500 futures +.48%.
  • NASDAQ 100 futures +.90%.  
Morning Preview Links

BOTTOM LINE: Asian indices are mostly higher, boosted by industrial and technology shares in the region. I expect US stocks to open modestly higher and to maintain gains into the afternoon.  The Portfolio is 100% net long heading into the day.

Stocks Rising into Final Hour on US Economic "Soft-Landing" Hopes, Lower Long-Term Rates, Less European/Emerging Markets/US High-Yield Debt Angst, Tech/Financial Sector Strength

Broad Equity Market Tone:

  • Advance/Decline Line: Substantially Higher
  • Sector Performance: Almost Every Sector Rising
  • Volume: Around Average
  • Market Leading Stocks: Outperforming
Equity Investor Angst:
  • Volatility(VIX) 16.2 -4.7%
  • DJIA Intraday % Swing .83%
  • Bloomberg Global Risk On/Risk Off Index 69.2 -.9%
  • Euro/Yen Carry Return Index 166.54 -.59%
  • Emerging Markets Currency Volatility(VXY) 8.9 -.9%
  • CBOE S&P 500 Implied Correlation Index 22.0 -5.3% 
  • ISE Sentiment Index 109.0 -5.0 points
  • Total Put/Call 1.05 +11.7%
  • NYSE Arms 1.83 +53.0%
Credit Investor Angst:
  • North American Investment Grade CDS Index 66.4 -4.0%
  • US Energy High-Yield OAS 328.64 -.76%
  • Bloomberg TRACE # Distressed Bonds Traded 363.0 unch.
  • European Financial Sector CDS Index 85.05 -2.9% 
  • Deutsche Bank Subordinated 5Y Credit Default Swap 268.5 +2.0%
  • Italian/German 10Y Yld Spread 165.0 basis points -1.0 basis point
  • Asia Ex-Japan Investment Grade CDS Index 129.2 -2.8%
  • Emerging Market CDS Index 210.0 -3.5%
  • China Corp. High-Yield Bond USD ETF(KHYB) 24.9 +.7%
  • 2-Year SOFR Swap Spread -12.5 basis points unch.
  • TED Spread 19.0 basis points -4.0 basis points
  • 3-Month EUR/USD Cross-Currency Basis Swap -11.25 +2.25 basis points
  • MBS  5/10 Treasury Spread 179.0 -4.0 basis points
  • Bloomberg CMBS Investment Grade Bbb Average OAS 772.0 +24.0 basis points
  • Avg. Auto ABS OAS 70.0 unch.
Economic Gauges:
  • Bloomberg Emerging Markets Currency Index 42.5 +.32%
  • 3-Month T-Bill Yield 5.43% +2.0 basis points
  • China Iron Ore Spot 113.9 USD/Metric Tonne +.5%
  • Dutch TTF Nat Gas(European benchmark) 36.79 euros/megawatt-hour -14.3%
  • Citi US Economic Surprise Index 60.0 -9.2 points
  • Citi Eurozone Economic Surprise Index -65.2 -13.0 points
  • Citi Emerging Markets Economic Surprise Index 2.7 -.3 point
  • S&P 500 Current Quarter EPS Growth Rate YoY(478 of 500 reporting) -7.3%  unch.
  • S&P 500 Blended Forward 12 Months Mean EPS Estimate 235.73 +.20:  Growth Rate +7.4% +.1 percentage point, P/E 18.8 +.1
  • S&P 500 Current Year Estimated Profit Margin 12.19% +1.0 basis point
  • NYSE FANG+ Current Quarter EPS Growth Rate YoY(8 of 10 reporting) +17.0% unch.
  • NYSE FANG+ Blended Forward 12 Months Mean EPS Estimate 234.17 +.07: Growth Rate +42.7% unch., P/E 32.8 +.8
  • Bloomberg US Financial Conditions Index .26 +13.0 basis points
  • Bloomberg Euro-Zone Financial Conditions Index .02 +4.0 basis points
  • US Yield Curve -76.5 basis points (2s/10s) -6.0 basis points
  • US Atlanta Fed 2Q GDPNow Forecast +5.76% unch.
  • Cleveland Fed Inflation Nowcast Core PCE YoY +4.23% unch.: CPI YoY +3.83% +1.0 basis point
  • 10-Year TIPS Spread 2.35 unch.
  • Highest target rate probability for Nov. 1st FOMC meeting: 58.0%(+4.1 percentage points) chance of 5.25%-5.5%. Highest target rate probability for Dec. 13th meeting: 55.3%(+2.6 percentage points) chance of 5.25%-5.5%.
Overseas Futures:
  • Nikkei 225 Futures: Indicating +10 open in Japan 
  • China A50 Futures: Indicating +15 open in China
  • DAX Futures: Indicating +60 open in Germany
Portfolio:
  • Higher:  On gains in my tech/industrial/medical/transport sector longs
  • Disclosed Trades: Covered some of my (IWM)/(QQQ) hedges and some of my emerging market shorts
  • Market Exposure: Moved to 100% Net Long

Bear Radar

Style Underperformer:

  • Large-Cap Value +.7%
Sector Underperformers:
  • 1) Energy -.4% 2) Electric Vehicles -.3% 3) Shipping -.2%
Stocks Falling on Unusual Volume: 
  • ASO, AGTI, HE, PINC and FL
Stocks With Unusual Put Option Activity:
  • 1) FL 2) ANF 3) DKS 4) PTON 5) GES
Stocks With Most Negative News Mentions:
  • 1) PTON 2) AMC 3) FL 4) MNK 5) LANC
Charts:

Bull Radar

Style Outperformer:

  • Large-Cap Growth +1.5%
Sector Outperformers:
  • Gold & Silver +3.3% 2) AI/Robotics +2.1% 3) Computer Hardware +2.0%
Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume:
  • APLS, ITOS, ANF, RCUS, WSM, ACMR, SMCI, FSLY, RH, UPWK, NXGN, BBWI, PUBM, HDSN, AAON, DY, MOD, NFLX, NSSC, ROST, MTSI, MRK, TPVG, ACEL, LII, CRNX, KSS, BF/B, GPCR, AAP and LMB
Stocks With Unusual Call Option Activity:
  • 1) ANF 2) FL 3) WSM 4) IYR 5) DBI
Stocks With Most Positive News Mentions:
  • 1) VCIG 2) ANF 3) ITOS 4) WSM 5) APLS

Tomorrow's Earnings/Economic Releases of Note; Market Movers

Earnings of Note 
Company/Estimate 

Before the Open:
  • (FRO)/.84
  • (NTES)/9.14
  • (TD)/1.51 
  • (WB)/.51
  • (BURL)/.44
  • (HAIN)/.10
  • (WOOF)/.06
  • (DLTR)/.87
After the Close: 
  • (JWN)/.45
  • (WDAY)/1.26 
  • (INTU)/1.43
  • (AFRM)/-.87
  • (ULTA)/5.85
  • (GPS)/.09
Economic Releases   
8:30 am EST
  • Initial Jobless Claims for last week are estimated to rise to 240K versus 239K the prior week.
  • Continuing Claims are estimated to fall to 1705K versus 1716K prior.
  • Chicago Fed National Activity Index for July is estimated to rise to -.22 versus -.32 in June.
  • Durable Goods Orders for July is estimated to fall -4.0% versus a +4.6% gain in June.
  • Durables Ex Transports for July is estimated to rise +.2% versus a +.5% gain in June.
  • Cap Goods Orders Non-Defense Ex-Air for July is estimated to rise +.1% versus a +.1% gain in June.
11:00 am EST
  • The Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Activity Index for Aug. is estimated to rise to -10 versus -11 in July.

Upcoming Splits 

  • (AMC) 1-for-10
Other Potential Market Movers
  • The ECB minutes, weekly EIA natural gas inventory report and the (SHW) Financial Presentation could also impact global trading tomorrow.
US Equity Market Hours
  • 9:30 am - 4:00 pm EST

Mid-Day Market Internals

NYSE Composite Index:

  • NYSE Volume Running -2.3% Below 100-Day Average 
  • Nasdaq/NYSE Volume Ratio 7.9 -2.3
  • 1 Sector Declining, 10 Sectors Rising
  • 76.7% of Issues Advancing, 21.3% Declining
  • 33 New 52-Week Highs, 49 New Lows
  • 46.2%(+4.6%) of Issues Above 200-day Moving Average
  • Average 14-Day RSI 41.0 +7.0
  • Bloomberg Global Risk-On/Risk-Off Index 69.0 -1.2%
  • Russell 1000: Growth/Value 17,544.2 +.90%
  • 1-Day Vix 12.1 -5.5%
  • Vix 16.2 -4.8%
  • Total Put/Call 1.0 +6.4%
  • TRIN/Arms 1.92 +61.3%