Stocks Modestly Lower into Final Hour after Fed Hikes Rates 25 Basis Points

BOTTOM LINE: The Portfolio is higher into the final hour on gains in my Retail longs, Medical Information Systems longs, Internet longs, Biotech longs and Computer longs. I have not traded today, thus leaving the Portfolio 100% net long. The tone of the market is slightly negative as the advance/decline line is modestly lower, sector performance is mixed and volume is above average. Measures of investor anxiety are higher. The Johnson Redbook same-store sales index rose 3.5% year-over-year last week vs. a 3.3% rise the prior week. This week's gain is up from a 1.5% increase in late April 2005, and it's the 39th week in a row that the index has risen 3% or more. The long-term average is a gain of around 2.5%. Retail sales remain healthy, despite higher oil prices. I continue to believe a healthy labor market, low long-term interest rates, falling energy prices, improving sentiment and rising stock prices will cushion any weakness this year related to a slowing housing market. My two favorite retailers remain Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) and Best Buy (BBY). I expect US stocks to trade higher into the close from current levels on lower energy prices, positive economic data, more dovish Fed comments and stable long-term rates.