One More Day of Hesitation?
Stocks reached for new ATHs but got slammed down only to recover next. VIX doesn‘t provide a picture of calmness really even though the put/call ratio seems still uneventful, and credit markets leaning risk-on. The Fed naturally didn‘t draw any hawkish cards on Wednesday to disconcert the markets, yet they‘re throwing a fit a day later, starting from equities, bonds, all the way to precious metals.
One would have said that as:
(…) The Fed won‘t simply remove the punch bowl, let alone discuss removing it, and will keep repeating the transitory inflation mantra ad nauseam. The ingredients are in place for a continued upswing in stocks and commodities.
But stocks are questioning that in today‘s premarket session, in spite of nominal yields not exerting a real pressure on the sensitive S&P 500 sectors. Technology has recovered from an intraday plunge, and semiconductors (XSD ETF) didn‘t lead lower in any way. The defensives had a good day really while the usual suspects (value, cyclicals) benefiting from rising yields, did great – even though long-dated Treasuries (TLT ETF) almost closed the bearish gap.
Treasuries though took their toll upon gold – the nominal yield going up did bite, even though inflation expectations rose in tandem, and not at all hesitantly. It‘s as if the market place didn‘t deem inflation at the moment too high, i.e. as if real rates were actually rising (those believing so are in for a surprise). Personally, I find it odd that the transitory inflation story is still getting some ear, and wonder when last have the lumber, oil, copper, iron, nickel, zinc, corn, soybean (and soon also coffee) prices been checked.
(…) we‘re in the decade of precious metals and commodities super bull runs – and these are well underway. The debasement of fiat currencies against real assets is set to continue, and will accelerate given the unprecedented fiscal and monetary support already and ahead – sorry dollar bulls, the greenback declines are resuming.
Let‘s move right into the charts (all courtesy of www.stockcharts.com).
S&P 500 Outlook
Stocks made the move, were rebuffed, and returned. Some backing and filling would be hardly surprising though.
Technology and Financials
Technology recovered from steep intraday losses, and their chart doesn‘t look to be breaking down. $NYFANG isn‘t in a decline mode, and your typical defensive sectors scored strong gains yesterday. And as the sectors usually embracing rising rates did well, chances are yesterday‘s S&P 500 setback would shortly be forgotten.
Inflation Expectations
Inflation expectations are rising again, and so do the Treasury yields. These aren‘t frontrunning expectations by much, but the brief respite in the bond market surely seems to be about over.
Gold, Silver and Miners
Gold yet again caught a bid, and recovered a good portion of intraday losses. The buyers stepped in but given the lull in the nominal yields drawing to its end, seeing gold mirroring the rise in yields is disconcerting. On the other hand, copper consolidated on the day, and thus didn‘t counter the Treasuries effect.
While gold is under short-term pressure and well bid, miners had a worse day, and didn‘t outperform the yellow metal. It‘s only within GDX that the chart is more optimistic – not within HUI. Talking silver, it‘s actually good the metal didn‘t move at all on the day – in spite of the challenging setup, the precious metals appear to be making a low.
Summary
The S&P 500 is still meeting headwinds, remaining vulnerable to more backing and filling. The bullish signs are still there, but not getting all the short-term follow through (HYG, IWM, EEM), and it looks that closing at new ATHs won‘t happen today. Patience.
Gold and miners are likely making a bottom here, in spite of inconclusive HUI performance. Silver resilience along with base metals is tipping the scales towards maintaining even the very short-term bullish outlook – let alone the medium-term one. The next upswing is approaching.
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Thank you,
Monica Kingsley
Stock Trading Signals
Gold Trading Signals
www.monicakingsley.co
mk@monicakingsley.co
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All essays, research and information represent analyses and opinions of Monica Kingsley that are based on available and latest data. Despite careful research and best efforts, it may prove wrong and be subject to change with or without notice. Monica Kingsley does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the data or information reported. Her content serves educational purposes and should not be relied upon as advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks and options are financial instruments not suitable for every investor. Please be advised that you invest at your own risk. Monica Kingsley is not a Registered Securities Advisor. By reading her writings, you agree that she will not be held responsible or liable for any decisions you make. Investing, trading and speculating in financial markets may involve high risk of loss. Monica Kingsley may have a short or long position in any securities, including those mentioned in her writings, and may make additional purchases and/or sales of those securities without notice.
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Gold has taken too long to form a new support and resistance points, fundamentally it should’ve reached ATH by now yet, DXY and 10 yrs yield is in daily play to cap gold’s upward trend, really don’t know how much time until markets surrender to the idea of real interest rates and mega inflation which everyone on the plant experience it’s effect
Hi Nabil, thank you for the comment. Markets though don't trade on fundamentals only, and that's why I called the gold as topping in early Aug 2020. It's especially the 10-year Treasury yield that is nominally biting – even though inflation expectations aren't lagging behind, but at least partially perceived level or temporary status of inflation, is. For some. You say "really don't know how much time until markets surrender" – and that's part of the point as gold would move to catch up with previously better performing commodities, in anticipation of the next Fed move. I had been writing about that e.g. here https://monicakingsley.co/stock-trading-signals/2021/03/29/what-could-slay-the-stock-and-gold-bulls/
Instead of working the precious metals for some nice trades how about the industrial metals
that are catching a bid with all of the promised stimulus money for millions of construction
projects. Which do you see the most promise and the most pricing power in an inflationary
environment ? X, CLF,AA,CENX , SLV, lithium, coal , fertilizer or uranium ??
Thanks ,
MP
Hi Mark, I made it no secret that I am a commodities bull, naming quite a few great candidates above. See also e.g. here for interplay as regards PMs: https://monicakingsley.co/stock-trading-signals/2021/02/17/is-that-the-sp500-and-gold-correction-finally/ Remember though that when it comes to energy, the gov't is "picking the winner" (coal, uranium). I like the fertilizers as play on rising food prices, Alcoa for aluminum, and of course copper so much. Silver bull as well, and uranium is promising too – see https://monicakingsley.co/stock-trading-signals/2021/02/10/stocks-ripe-for-a-breather-as-gold-and-silver-remain-strong/ Have a nice weekend!
Well….as of about 11:15 AM (New York time), we do appear to be stopped-out for 20 points or so of profit on our S&P futures.
Hello Ed! That's right, 21-point gain as we're out at 4,174, and prices are now 4,177. I just don't like the credit markets and sectoral weakness today. We could dip some more before the close. While I didn't write about it in today's article, yesterday's candle was a hanging man – I don't mind to be out of the market before the air cleans up on Monday. Might even jump back in during premarket, who knows… Enjoy your weekend!