Analysis Topic: Stock & Financial Markets
The analysis published under this topic are as follows.Saturday, January 12, 2008
Banks Doubling Down on Bad Debts As Merrill Lynch Writes Down $15billion / Stock-Markets / Financial Markets
Merrill Lynch, the third largest U.S. securities firm, is expected to write down $15 billion in the fourth quarter, nearly twice as much as previously announced. Analysts had recently been expecting a $12 billion loss for the same period. Citigroup may face another $14 billion of losses, according to J.P. Morgan Chase and Bank of America may announce $5 billion of write-downs in collateralized debt obligations.Read full article... Read full article...
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Stocks Bear Market - Dow Theory Proves Correct! / Stock-Markets / Dow Theory
In spite of its criticisms, the Dow theory is once again proving correct. The one thing that the advance up out of the 2002 low has proven is that the single most important aspect of Dow theory is the concept of joint price confirmation above and below previous secondary high and low points. Basically, nothing else matters. In accordance with this basic concept, the primary trend first turned bullish on June 4, 2003. As the market advanced in the wake of mountains of liquidity the values did not make sense. Also, when looking at the phasing aspect of Dow theory it appeared that the rally out of the 2002 low was a giant secondary reaction and counter-trend advance.Read full article... Read full article...
Friday, January 11, 2008
FIRE SALES of US Financial Assets - Fingers of Instability, Part 16 / Stock-Markets / Financial Crash
In This Issue- 3 Fingers of Instability
- FIRE SALES!
- Nights of the Long Knives!
- Flights to Perceived Safety!
Introduction
Dear readers, I want to thank you all for a gratifying 2007, the support for Tedbits has been nothing short of phenomenal. We are now on many radar screens thanks to your interest in my work. The last month has been tumultuous and I had the mother of all colds/flu in late December and spent several weeks traveling around the globe until just before Christmas. So I rested my body and my brain and I now enter the New Year much rested and ready to rumble. I will be doing a short Tedbits this week and then do the 2008 forecast over a 2 to 4-week timeframe. There's a lot to cover in the forecast as the headlines are quite hysterical. The choir out of Wall Street is predictable BULL****! The big picture is very clear as I will illustrate to you in the 2008 forecast.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Monetary Inflation to be Joined by Price Inflation Crisis During 2008 / Stock-Markets / Financial Crash
Unproductive Assets, Wasted Productivity The US system has been the dog led by the financial sector tail, as the tail wags the dog, for over two decades. Systematically, the United States has abandoned manufacturing in favor of financial sector dominance with futile attempts to manage inflation, and money changers pushing to foreign lands the capacity that actually makes things and adds value. Such is the painful costly consequence of chronic monetary inflation. Unfortunately, the nation has invested heavily for decades in unproductive assets like military hardware and recently homes. The entire US Economy was made heavily dependent upon the housing boom and mortgage finance craze. Now that a housing crisis and mortgage debacle seems a nightmare without end, we are treated to utterly moronic opinions that the US Economy will glide through the storm. It will not.Read full article... Read full article...
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Banking Index Sounding Stock Market Alarm Bells / Stock-Markets / Banking Stocks
Too often, investors only look at the short and medium term trends in the markets. When we have had a year with exceptionally damaging sub-prime problems, it is time to step back and look at 5+ and 15+ year views. It is only the longer term views that can give you a clear picture of how much damage has been done.
Today, we will look at 6 and 16 year views of the Banking Index ... symbol: BKX.
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Thursday, January 10, 2008
Important Stock Market Investment Drivers for 2008: A Tale of Two Halves / Stock-Markets / Global Stock Markets
The beginning of a new year is a good time to make a new assessment of the important investment drivers and themes for the year. If you want to beat the market it is important to understand what is driving the markets and where are the best sectors to find good opportunities. By identifying these factors you will have a solid framework to assess the impact market movements and news events on your investment strategy. This is the first of a five part series on the outlook for the 2008 markets. The first part will discuss the key drivers ending with a mention of what sectors will benefit and those that will be hurt.Read full article... Read full article...
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
2007: The Year of Debunked Financial Market Myths / Stock-Markets / Financial Markets
- The “WEALTH AFFECT” is real and you can borrow yourself into perpetual prosperity.
- You can spend yourself rich.
- “It is different this time” and not all speculative manias collapse.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Chinese Stock Market Winning Streak To Continue During 2008 / Stock-Markets / Chinese Stock Market
Tony Sagami writes: Almost exactly a year ago, I told you how the U.S. economy was headed for more weakness while the Chinese economy would continue growing like a weed. And I suggested you "make it your New Year's resolution to add some Asian spice to your portfolio this year."
Look at what the markets have done since then: The S&P 500 was up just 3.5% in 2007; the Shanghai Composite Index, which measures the performance of mainland China stocks, skyrocketed 97%. That's on top of a 130% gain in 2006!
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Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Financial Markets and Economic Themes Remain The Same for 2008 / Stock-Markets / Financial Markets
Although our public writings were scant throughout the '07 calendar, we did indeed manage to maintain an active pulse on events, whereby many of our early prognostications ultimately materialized when the final bell tolled.With that said, let's move forward with a few thoughts and observations on what may possibly lie ahead in the forthcoming '08 campaign:
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Tuesday, January 08, 2008
US Stock Markets Developing Significant Topping Formations / Stock-Markets / US Stock Markets
A relatively impressive recovery rally during the final 30 minutes of trading, or was it? In fact, based on the pattern carved-out by the Q's, no upside reversal was recorded.
The Q's certainly "looped" down again to retest this morning's low at 47.43, which held the onslaught (at 47.47), and which has helped turn the price structure to the upside for another run at key near term resistance at 48.50/65. But unless and until that resistance area is hurdled, I will not venture into the long side of the Q's. Why?
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Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Broading Stock Market Top Offers Proshare Shorting Profit Opportunities / Stock-Markets / UK Stock Market
Much has been written recently about the current market conditions. Many research reports maintain the concept that new highs in the equity markets can be anticipated in the near future. Yet month after month, fundamental and technical evidence continues to build a picture of a cooling U.S. economy and the fledgling start of a mild recession. One of the earliest indicators of mounting economic weakness came from one of the most reliable indicators; the banks.Read full article... Read full article...
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Stock Market Valuations Misleading, Signal Substantial Weakness for 2008 / Stock-Markets / Stock Market Valuations
This week in Outside the Box John Hussman of The Hussman Funds strives to shed light upon the tumultuous and perplexing state that is the stock market. Having metaphorically, as in the Greek tale, driven by curiosity, opened Pandora's Jar (Box) of financial fantasy and unleashed the evil that has come to pass in the guise of subprime, all that remained was hope. Hussman intertwines hope with caution as we venture into the new year.
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Monday, January 07, 2008
NASDAQ Rally Missing Momentum / Stock-Markets / Tech Stocks
If the Q's (NASDAQ: QQQQ) are on the verge of a major upside reversal, then shouldn't the buying power motor prices above the relatively minor near-term resistance between 48.50 and 48.65 into a confrontation with the 200 DMA at 48.88? Thus far, although the Q's have recovered most of this morning's follow-through decline, the underlying "umph" appears to be missing -- at least for the time being, which leads me to continue to look for another loop to the downside that retests and likely breaks this morning's low at 47.43 -- on the way to my optimal intermediate-term target zone of 46.50/00.Read full article... Read full article...
Monday, January 07, 2008
Contrarian Stock and Financial Market Forecasts 2008 / Stock-Markets / Financial Markets
With most investors it is usually sub-conscious convictions that ultimately determine the investment path chosen. Formed partly from experience but largely by their character, there is no escaping the veracity of this. To paraphrase Morpheus, "Investor's are slaves. Like everyone, they are born into bondage, born inside a prison that they cannot smell, taste, or touch. A prison for their minds."Read full article... Read full article...
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Stock Market Update: Reacting to Price Movements in Realtime / Stock-Markets / US Stock Markets
Back in January 2007, this update promised volatility for the new year and, now that it's in the history books, we know that promise was delivered: 2007 was the year of volatility. Last week's update said to expect the volatility will continue – it didn't abandon the possibility of new highs in the S&P, but did express some skepticism about the Dec. 30 rally, which suggested more work needed to be done on the downside. And, after the holiday celebration, the market got exactly that, with Friday's slide into the close erasing December's gains and again making good on the promise of volatility.Read full article... Read full article...
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Stock Market Oversold - Rally Expected Next Week / Stock-Markets / US Stock Markets
The good news is: The market is oversold and likely to rally from here.
Short Term - The Russell 2000 (R2K) rose for 6 consecutive days through December 26 then fell for 6 consecutive days as of last Friday. This is pretty unusual, having occurred only 6 other times since 1979.
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Saturday, January 05, 2008
Credit Crisis Deepens - ATM Withdrawl Limits Next? / Stock-Markets / Financial Markets
Citibank is now limiting ATM withdrawals in New York City , blaming it on “isolated fraudulent activity.” If the fraudulent activity is isolated, why punish all your clients in a given region? This is certainly causing distress among New Yorkers because of the high cost of living in that city. Why not simply increase security on the ATMs? It looks an awful lot like Citibank is experimenting with rationing their cash outflows.Read full article... Read full article...
Friday, January 04, 2008
Invest in Russia 2008 / Stock-Markets / Russia
I've long favored Russia as a destination for investment, building my case primarily around its energy sector. But I've also highlighted the increase in domestic demand and the infrastructure boom taking place there.
Russia is currently in a sweet spot: It's a net oil exporter, has good GDP growth, isn't dependent on foreign capital flows, is relatively stable politically, boasts reasonable market valuations and, above all, enjoys solid exposure to the biggest growth story of our time, Asia.
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Friday, January 04, 2008
Wall Street Eyes Wide Shut to Inflation and Impact of Sovereign Wealth Fund Investments / Stock-Markets / US Economy
As our economic ship continues to spring leaks, the goldilocks crowd still clings to the false belief that the Fed can easily keep us afloat with a few more rate cuts. This comfort has sustained many upbeat forecasts despite overwhelming evidence of an unfolding economic and monetary catastrophe of historic proportions.
On Monday we learned that Merrill Lynch, having just sold a $4.5 billion stake to the Singapore government, is again passing around the hat, this time wooing the Chinese and Saudi governments for badly needed funds. This of course follows similar moves by U.S. investment houses Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and Bear Stearns. These developments should be disconcerting on many levels, yet most seem unperturbed.
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Friday, January 04, 2008
US Financial Crisis Worsening as Consumer Loan Delinquencies Surge / Stock-Markets / Financial Crash
Mike Larson writes: Several weeks ago, I told you we were staring "S&L Crisis II" in the face. I said estimates of losses stemming from the mortgage crisis kept spiraling higher — from $100 billion ... to $250 billion ... to $400 billion and higher.
I wish I could say things are getting better. But they're not. In fact, the tally of charges, losses and write-downs across the financial industry continues to rise higher and higher.
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