[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] The major indexes barely budged from their flat lines, as the S&P 500 flirted with its all-time high and missed it by a hair. Traders were itching to see a new record, but they knew it could be followed by a cold shower or a retreat. Stocks were enjoying the “Santa Claus rally,” a festive period …
Inflation Fears Ease, Boosting Stocks And Gold In Final Week Of The Year
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] The stock market kept up its momentum from last week and kicked off the final week of the year with a bang. The S&P 500 edged closer to its all-time high, as investors shrugged off the holiday blues and low trading volume. The upbeat mood was fueled by signs of easing inflation, which is getting closer …
The Goldilocks Scenario: Why Wall Street Is Cheering For A Weak Economy And A Dovish Fed
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] The markets bounced back from yesterday’s beating and regained most of their ground. Traders are feeling optimistic about the yearend rally and ready to pop the champagne. Almost every stock in the S&P rose, led by Micron Technology, which soared 9% after smashing earnings estimates and raising its outlook. The bulls were also encouraged by weak …
VIX Tricks: Is The Volatility Index Warning Of More Turmoil?
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] The markets have been soaring to dizzying heights lately, but today they came back down to earth a bit. Some traders decided to take some profits off the table after a long winning streak. This is normal and healthy for a bull market, and it doesn’t mean that the fundamentals have changed. One of the biggest …
Fed’s Dovish Turn Fuels Rally, But Beware Of Rate Cut Risks
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] The Fed’s dovish statement last week sparked a rally that pushed the S&P 500 close to a record high. Three rate cuts in 2024, cooling inflation, and lower Treasury yields boosted the market mood in this seasonally strong period for stocks. The Fed thinks it has tamed inflation, but it may be in for a rude …
S&P And Nasdaq Win, Dow Snoozes, Fed Confuses
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] The market kept up its winning streak today, with the S&P and Nasdaq scoring big while the Dow barely budged. The S&P 500 has been on a roll for seven weeks, its longest run since 2017. The index is up more than 3% this month. The Dow and the Nasdaq are also up by more than …