Biden's Radical Nominee Takes Another Hit From Law Enforcement
Woman Records Very Creepy Visit by the FBI
Joe Biden Is Hitting His Political 'Life Alert' Button With This 2024 Move
South Carolina's Mysterious Bank Account That Has Over $1 Billion in It
Occupied Gaza
Biden Administration Locking Up Public Lands from West to East
Baltimore Mayor Raises Eyebrows Over What He Claims Is His 'Purpose in Life'
Donald Trump: The Non-PC Candidate
Trump's Lawyer Seeks to Dismiss Georgia Case on First Amendment Grounds
Ronald Reagan: The Man Who Cut Taxes From 70 to 28 Percent
Republicans Thwart Democrat Scheme to Raise Gas Prices
The Future Looks...Old?
Not Exactly Something Normal
Senate Judiciary Committee Should Prioritize Main Street Over Wall Street with Free Market...
Some Unpleasant Truths About Islam and the West
OPINION

Jarring Images Out Of Hong Kong Stall Market Rally

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
AP Photo/Vincent Yu

Christmas came early. The administration canceled the implementation of new tariffs and delayed others, in part to make sure that American consumers would avoid any price hikes. President Trump pointed out that due to a combination of the devaluation of the yuan, China’s exporters discounting, and U.S. importers absorbing the increased cost, the delay was “just in case” higher prices seeped through to the consumer.

Advertisement

It’s a moot point for many key products, but tariffs are still going through on several products. Combing through the list is a daunting task. There’s still confusion about which finished products might or might not be affected.

For instance, the ‘Effective December 15, 2019’ list covers 21 pages and the first item listed: Frozen Alaskan pollock fillets, skinned, in blocks weighing over 4.5 kg, to be minced, ground or cut.

Then there’s a list that goes ‘Effective September 1, 2019,’ covers 122 pages starting with: Live purebred breeding horses.

Beyond the confusion of what gets a reprieve and what doesn’t, investors cheered, hoping it was a thaw that could perhaps get talks back on track. 

The Message of the Market

Markets

S&P 500

Dow Jones

NASDAQ

Russell 2000

Point Change

+43

+372

+153

+16

Percent Change

+1.48%

+1.44%

+1.95%

+1.01%

 

Yesterday was a solid rebound for the market. However, all the majority equity indices came up short of taking out important upside resistance levels. The tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite was by far the biggest winner, while the Russell 2000 lagged as it continued to struggle. One reason the market rally stalled was the jarring images out of Hong Kong, where police and protesters clashed. Reports suggest that the Chinese army is positioning itself to quail what they are calling a terroristic uprising.

It was the right mix of winners with Technology riding the coattails of surging Apple (AAPL) shares, along with Consumer Discretionary names, led by Best Buy (BBY); the clear winner from delayed tariffs. 

Advertisement

S&P 500 Index

+1.50%

Communication Services (XLC)

+1.51%

Consumer Discretionary (XLY)

+1.65%

Consumer Staples (XLP)

+1.14%

Energy (XLE)

+0.92%

Financials (XLF)

+1.24%

Health Care (XLV)

+1.30%

Industrials (XLI)

+1.20%

Materials (XLB)

+1.07%

Real Estate (XLRE)

+0.08%

Technology (XLK)

+2.50%

Utilities (XLU)

+0.07%

 

Small Business Optimism

Small Business Optimism was the first economic indicator that popped after the election of President Trump, and it continues to hold up well, coming in better than expected yesterday.

Small Business Optimism

Business Metric

Net %

Change

Increase Employment

21%

+3

Increase Capital Spending

27%

+1

Increased Inventory

3%

Unchanged

Expect Economy

20%

+4

Expect Real Sales Higher

22%

+5

Current Inventory

-3%

-3

Current Job Openings

39%

+3

Expected Credit Conditions

-4%

-1%

Now Good Time to Expand

26%

+2

Earnings Trends

-4%

+3

 

Portfolio

Communication Services

Consumer Discretionary

Consumer Staples

1

3

1

Energy

Financials

Healthcare

1

1

1

Industrial

Materials

Real Estate

2

3

1

Technology

Utilities

Cash

2

0

4

 

Today’s Session

Well it finally happened.  The two- and ten-year treasury yields have inverted with the former climbing above the latter. Historically, this has been a harbinger of recessions in the past, although it also called for a lot of recessions that never happened. 

Here’s a thing to know, if history is an accurate guide, then the US economy could tilt into recession in 18 months.  If history is a guide, it also means after the knee jerk selling the market rebounds on average 15% before recession.

The thing is, there are so many things happening right now that were never happening before, including $16 trillion in negative global bond yields that is sending money pouring into our ten-year bond, hence pushing the yield lower.

Advertisement

Macy's (M) reported a disaster this morning, but as I pointed out earlier in the week it’s a flawed business and the stock is down 35% year-to-date before the open this morning.

Not sure how much it means for Macys. The department store model has been in trouble for a long time, moreover, the company admitted missteps in fashion, warm weather wear and blamed slower tourism - which is also a strong dollar story.

I'm fascinated with the statement from the CEO:

The customer has no appetite for price increases. Right now we are expecting that there won’t be price increases when next tranche (fourth) of 10% tariffs hit.

We will close a few positions to raise cash mostly so we can buy this dip while mitigating some risk.  Note: the model portfolio was already at 20%, so everyone should have cash.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos