The S&P 500 gained 1.13% this week with Friday's close at 4,071.70.
The index got off to slippery start this week, trading down to 3,937.65 at Tuesday's low. However, as soon as Fed Chair Powell starting speaking on Wednesday the S&P 500 started climbing to the upside. The index moved from Wednesday's low at 3,938.58 (before Powell's speech) to Wednesday's close at 4,080.11 (after Powell's speech), a gain of 3.59% over the course of the day. The index would then trade up to the 4,100 level on Thursday before backing off to finish the week.
In last week's Update we wrote:
"We do believe there's a good chance that we'll test the first level of "resistance" at the ~4,100 region over the coming week. We believe the price action there will be telling; it will reveal if there is any change in the collective actions and behaviors of market participants."
Admittedly, we thought any trade up to ~4,100 was likely to occur in the beginning of the week, say Monday or Tuesday, not closer to the end of the week. Regardless, the retest of "resistance" from early September's highs is now underway. As we wrote last week, if we find selling pressure over the week ahead it will support the "bearish" narrative, or the idea that higher prices in the present paired eager sellers and hesitant buyers across the marketplace given their fear and expectation of lower prices into the future.
If we can somehow sustain this week's gains and show even further strength it will support the idea that the collective actions and behaviors of market participants were different this time.
One could argue that higher prices didn't bring eager sellers into the marketplace. It will also be accompanied by a sustained breakout above the 200-day simple moving average. Naturally, the picture will turn decidedly more bullish if the S&P 500 can find further buying interest from here.
As we referenced earlier, Powell's speech was the fundamental catalyst this week (click here). The statement that seemed to give the market a boost:
"Monetary policy affects the economy and inflation with uncertain lags, and the full effects of our rapid tightening so far are yet to be felt. Thus, it makes sense to moderate the pace of our rate increases as we approach the level of restraint that will be sufficient to bring inflation down. The time for moderating the pace of rate increases may come as soon as the December meeting."
The market, collectively, has behaved as if it can't wait for a "Fed pivot" or at least a "Fed pause". Well, the statement above sure seems to insinuate that at least a "Fed pause" is coming, and sooner rather than later. The market cheered...loudly.
The federal funds futures market now has the Fed hiking 0.50% in December and two 0.25% rate hikes in both February and March. If you cross-reference the blue shaded cells in the table below with the table from last week's Update you'll note that they've all shifted one cell to the left. That implies that the market, collectively, believes the Federal Reserve tightening cycle won't be as tight as they previously thought given Powell's speech on Wednesday.
Further, the market believes the tightening cycle is over in a few short months. Whether or not this is indeed the case is ultimately a derivative of the next few chapters in the inflation story. It's why we say the inflation story holds all the cards, because if inflation somehow reaccelerates to the upside over the months ahead then there's huge risk to financial markets and the health of the economy over the months ahead. It's not the most probable scenario in our opinion, we're firmly in the "peak inflation" camp (i.e., we believe year-over-year inflation will be in the ~3% range one year from now, the Fed's done enough), but it's clear as of now that the market isn't pricing in inflation reigniting to the upside over the months ahead.
The bond market had another strong week and also liked what Powell had to say.
The iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) rose for the fourth week in a row, up by 1.50% on the week. AGG is now higher by 5.48% the last four weeks. That's a four-week price thrust the likes of which we've only seen two other times since inception for AGG (2020 and 2008/2009). The yield on a 10-year Treasury bond fell down to 3.51% this week.
From a breadth perspective, we now have 319 stocks within the S&P 500 that closed Friday above their 200-day simple moving average. That's the highest reading since the January 14, 2022 close at 338. Also on Friday, 455 stocks closed above their 50-day simple moving average, and that's the second highest reading in 2022, just a few stocks shy of August's peak at 462. Breadth has certainly improved, and the army is advancing based on its depth...not just the strength of a few strong generals.
S&P 500 Primary Trend - Down...But
The S&P 500 put the finishing touches on the month of November this week, rising by 5.38% for the month, the second consecutive monthly advance of more than 5%.
While our work continues to label the primary trend as down, or "bearish", further strength into December's monthly close will change the primary trend from down, or "bearish", to up, or "bullish".
Again, if market participants, collectively, aren't willing to sell 'em after a ~17% rally right in front of a macroeconomic backdrop that is almost certainly recession in 2023, then clearly market participants aren't all that afraid of the impact of said recession (i.e., a soft landing is what the market is discounting). Now, the S&P 500 does tend to discount what lies ahead notoriously incorrectly at and around recessions (see the S&P 500 trading to new all-time highs in October of 2007 as an example), but its overall track record in discounting the future is remarkably accurate. The price action of the S&P 500 in the present is the best predictor of the macroeconomic climate into the future, and that's why the price action here in December is going to be signal, not noise, in our opinion.
The S&P 500 managed to close the month of November back above its 10-month simple moving average. Should the S&P 500 close the month of December above its 12-month simple moving average, and above the ~4,130 level, we'll be looking at a fresh six-month high close for the index. That will rotate both short- and long-term momentum strategies back to "risk-on". So, December is a "prove it" month for the S&P 500.
In last week's Update we wrote that the table was set for the S&P 500 to record a "2 & 10% Price Thrust" reversal. We noted how this has been a part of virtually all lasting market bottoms the last seventy-plus years. Well, we're pleased to report that with November's monthly close the S&P 500 recorded its twelfth "2 & 10% Price Thrust" reversal since 1950.
Following the prior eleven "2 & 10% Price Thrust" reversals the S&P 500 has never closed lower 6, 8, and 12 months later. The index's average returns over each of the respective time periods mentioned are 14.33%, 16.44%, and 21.39%. These returns are decidedly above the S&P 500's forward 6-, 8-, and 12-month returns over any and all conditions.
The primary criticism here, and it's a valid one, is the fact that there are only eleven prior instances on the table.
Something that's happened just eleven times over seventy-plus years can't possibly contain any consistently predictive qualities.
That said, if you're thinking that you should sell your stocks because of the S&P 500's rally the last two months then that thought is definitely misplaced. The strength of the last two months is most certainly not a "bearish" sign, forward-looking, since there is literally no evidence that strength won't beget strength there. After all, the S&P 500 has never closed lower 6, 8, and 12 months later after a "2 & 10% Price Thrust" reversal. So while the above table can't truly predict what lies ahead and it can't guarantee that the S&P 500 will be higher over time, it can absolutely dispel a "bearish" forward-looking bias, something like "this can't continue!" given the S&P 500's meteoric rise the last two months. Yes...this can continue.
Remember, anything is always possible for the S&P 500, and the index has an uncanny ability to trade beyond the limits of imagination. We probably can't even imagine what lies ahead into 2023. "Will this continue?" is likely the better question, but nobody truly knows the answer!
All we're ever left to do is make an educated guess and allocate our assets with prudence, care and thoughtfulness. At the moment, we believe that entails allocating as if the worst is yet to come...but being prepared to act swiftly in the event the best is right around the corner.
Happy Sunday!
Steve & RickThis material is being provided for client and prospective client informational purposes only. This commentary represents the current market views of the author, and Nerad + Deppe Wealth Management (NDWM, LLC) in general, and there is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual events, results or performance may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in any forward-looking statements. Neither the information nor the opinions expressed herein constitutes an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any specific security, or to make any investment decisions. The opinions are based on market conditions as of the date of publication and are subject to change. All data is sourced to stooq.com and stockcharts.com. No obligation is undertaken to update any information, data or material contained herein. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any specific security or strategy is subject to a unique due diligence process, and not all diligence is executed in the same manner. All investments are subject to a degree of risk, and alternative investments and strategies are subject to a set of unique risks. No level of due diligence mitigates all risk, and does not eliminate market risk, failure, default, or fraud. It should not be assumed that any of the securities transactions or holdings discussed were or will prove to be profitable, or that the investment recommendations or decisions we make in the future will be profitable, or will equal the investment performance of the securities discussed herein. The commentary may utilize index returns, and you cannot invest directly into an index without incurring fees and expenses of investment in a security or other instrument. In addition, performance does not account other factors that would impact actual trading, including but not limited to account fees, custody, and advisory or management fees, as applicable. All of these fees and expenses would reduce the rate of return on investment. The content may include links to third party sites that are not affiliated with NDWM, LLC. While we believe the materials to be reliable, we have not independently verified the accuracy of the contents of the website, and therefore can't attest to the accuracy of any data, statements, or opinions.
