Stocks marked time today continuing last week’s lackluster action. Basic background conditions remain very favorable. Our Master Key still stands at a very robust level, 6.58. And with the recent dip in oil prices our long term Master Key remains far removed from the danger zone at a minus 29 percent. Read More

Stocks were hit with a double whammy today. Fears that a slowdown in Chinese growth will crimp demand for basic materials sent commodity companies lower and fears that the Fed will raise rates faster than previously expected hit just about everything else. It was a bad day as losers overwhelmed advancers by a nearly 5:1 ratio. Read More

At first glance it was a lackluster day with the major averages barely changed. The S&P 500 gained less than 2 tenths of a percent and the Dow shed less than one tenth. No drama there. However, the dullness was only on the surface. If you probe a little bit it turns out there were a number of messages in today’s action. Read More

Reacting to a dreadful geopolitical background, a pummeling of the Asian markets, and rising oil prices, stocks sold off today losing about 1 percent at the close. In Wall Street’s cold-blooded eyes the only factor you can’t ignore are those that can have an economic impact on our economy. In this regard oil prices and China stand out. Read More

Stocks were hammered today and Friday by a number of deflationary and inflationary scares. On the inflationary side Friday’s employment report was much larger than expected and left investors virtually certain the Fed, now behind the curve, was going to raise interest more aggressively – perhaps by half a point or more by September. Read More

Here is the deal. Either there is something truly horrible waiting in the wings or the market – at least over the short term - is a stone cold buy. We are wary of the former but clearly leaning toward the latter. In other words, if you are an aggressive trader this is the time to step up to the plate. Our short-term Master Key is at an extremely bullish 5.79. Read More

Stocks meandered today after a week of moderate downward pressure. Two adages come to mind. First, don’t sell a dull market short, and the second, stocks climb a wall of worry. We think both apply and both suggest stocks still have one more upleg left before retreating into what is likely to be a very long-term trading range. Read More