[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] Moving the markets I was pondering yesterday if, in the absence of a bullish driver, the markets might take the path of least resistance, which would be down. That was the case today, as the major indexes opened in the red, with the bears taking over and manhandling any bullish sentiment with utter ease, thereby assuring …
Stuck In A Holding Pattern
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] Moving the markets In a repeat of last week’s activity, the major indexes spent most of the session vacillating near their respective unchanged lines but managed to slightly close in the green, with the Nasdaq being the exception. Earnings season, economic data, upcoming Central Bank actions, and geopolitical tensions kept traders and algos on edge causing …
Lacking Inspiration
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] Moving the markets It was another session during which traders adopted a “wait and see” attitude, as they digested the latest earnings reports along with their potential economic consequences. The major indexes chopped around within a narrow range and ended essentially unchanged. Even though the view that earnings have been resilient, given reduced expectations, some profit …
Searching For Clues
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] Moving the markets Traders spent most of the day examining the latest earnings results for clues to determine whether optimism via higher stock prices was warranted. The major indexes meandered aimlessly around their respective unchanged lines, predominantly below it, until a last hour squeeze play assured a moderately green close, but it pulled the KBW banking …
Climbing Out Of A Hole
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] Moving the markets Friday’s March payroll report was largely in line with expectations, as 236k new jobs were created, which was slightly above the 230k anticipated, while the unemployment rate dipped from 3.6% to 3.5%. That number might compel the Fed to remain hawkish for longer with the May Rate-Hike odds now having climbed from 50% …
Battling Back
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] Moving the markets After a red opening, the major indexes spent the remainder of the session battling back and managed a green close, despite much anxiety ahead of tomorrow’s release of the March jobs report. Since the exchanges are closed on Friday, there will be no market reaction until Monday. Whenever the Bureau of Labor Statistics …