OPINION

Markets On Autopilot; No Panic Buying

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.

Happy day after Thanksgiving. I hope everyone had a great meal and with great company.  We’re always thankful at this time of year, and investors have even more reasons to cheer. What’s interesting is that while the market feels as if it’s on autopilot, there is no sense of panic buying. Still, dips are shallower than at any time in 2019.

There is a distinct sense of bargain hunting, not only by individual investors but for businesses as well. There is a lot of currency in the form of stocks trading hands at record highs. I’m watching Capri Holdings (CPRI) very closely; the way it’s trading, screams an offer is coming. 

On Wednesday, Consumer Discretionary was the best performing sector, as early shopping numbers built up already high expectations. We’ll get more data rolling in, along with cautionary tales of excessive credit card spending and too much enthusiasm.

I suspect caution will be the buzzword. It’s clear the market is due for a pullback, but don’t get that twisted with the notion of massive pullbacks or corrections. Again, the buy on dips crowd is sniffing around big time, and underlying fundamentals continue to improve.

S&P 500 Index

+0.42%

 

Communication Services (XLC)

+0.71%

 

Consumer Discretionary (XLY)

+0.86%

 

Consumer Staples (XLP)

+0.24%

 

Energy (XLE)

+0.25%

 

Financials (XLF)

+0.40%

 

Health Care (XLV)

+0.51%

 

Industrials (XLI)

 

-0.10%

Materials (XLB)

+0.40%

 

Real Estate (XLRE)

+0.31%

 

Technology (XLK)

+0.56%

 

Utilities (XLU)

+0.17%

 

Today’s Session

The major indices are pointing to a lower open, but it has been a great November for stocks.  Oil is also down this morning.

In merger news, private equity firm Apollo Global (APO) increased its offer to buy Tech Data (TECD) for $145, up from its initial offer of $130.