From the desk of Steve Strazza @Sstrazza

Our Top 10 Charts Report was just published.

In this weekly note, we highlight 10 of the most important charts or themes we're currently seeing in asset classes around the world.

Dow Leads Down

Not only is the Dow trading at its lowest level since November of 2020, but momentum is confirming the move with its lowest reading since the COVID-crash back in Q1 of 2020. 

The summer lows we’re watching coincide almost perfectly with the pre-COVID highs around 29,600. This confluence of interest reinforces the importance of the current level. As long as the indexes are below their summer lows, sellers are in control.

From the desk of Steve Strazza @Sstrazza

Check out this week's Momentum Report, our weekly summation of all the major indexes at a Macro, International, Sector, and Industry Group level.

By analyzing the short-term data in these reports, we get a more tactical view of the current state of markets. This information then helps us put near-term developments into the big picture context and provides insights regarding the structural trends at play.

Let's jump right into it with some of the major takeaways from this week's report:

* ASC Plus Members can access the Momentum Report by clicking the link at the bottom of this post.

Macro Universe:

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

Stocks & Bonds Make It Three In A Row

The Chart: 

In the past we've had bonds down for 3 consecutive quarters and we've had stocks down for 3 (or more) consecutive quarters. Since at least 1976, we have never before had stocks & bonds both down in 3 consecutive quarters.

Why It Matters: 

The lack of safe harbors in 2022 has taken a financial and emotional toll on investors. After the storm passes, some may want to re-evaluate their investment opportunity set and perceived risk tolerance.   

This is the video recording of the September 29th, 2022, Weekly Town Hall w/ Willie Delwiche.

09/29/22 2:00 PM ET

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

The market is enduring a volatile week, finishing out a chaotic month in what has been an unprecedented year.

• Safe havens have offered no safety as cross-asset correlations have turned positive and balanced portfolios are enduring their worst year since the 1930’s.
• This week, underwater explosions have ruptured gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, while a massive hurricane has crossed from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, leaving a trail of devastation in Cuba and Florida. 
• Stocks are now trading at their lowest level in two years and the British pound has sunk to its lowest level in two centuries.

Dismissing all of this as merely challenging seems trite. Acknowledging the difficulty of the environment helps chart a path for moving forward.

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

The Fed unleashed a speculative bubble when it cut rates in the second half of 2019. Apple (AAPL), the largest company in the US, led the market higher during the boom and has been resilient as other areas have gone bust. 

The Numbers: Both AAPL and the equal-weight S&P 500 (RSP) are down 20% this year. But while RSP has pulled back to its lowest level since early 2021, Apple is still 14% above its June low. Longer-term, RSP is now only 20% above its mid-2019 level, while AAPL still has a 200% gain over the past 3+ years.  

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

The earnings momentum trend rolled over last week. Our Macro Health Check now shows red lights (4) outnumbering green lights (2).

Why It Matters: The June stock market lows came with a macro backdrop that was challenging but stable. Stocks don’t move on good and bad, they react to better and worse. The macro environment is getting worse and holding support levels is more of a challenge. 

In taking a Deeper Look we will pull back the curtains on this checklist. We also look at how these latest developments are being reflected in investor risk appetite and where new risks might be developing.

The S&P 500 is testing its mid-June low as it remains in a persistent down-trend. Investors and traders can lean against specific support levels, but it is hard to have high levels of conviction when price and breadth trends continue to decline. 

The Details: At 24 weeks, the current down-trend has lasted longer than any since the Financial Crisis ended in 2009. Prior to the feast or famine years of the past quarter century, persistent downtrends were normal market behavior. 

From the desk of Steve Strazza @Sstrazza

Check out this week's Momentum Report, our weekly summation of all the major indexes at a Macro, International, Sector, and Industry Group level.

By analyzing the short-term data in these reports, we get a more tactical view of the current state of markets. This information then helps us put near-term developments into the big picture context and provides insights regarding the structural trends at play.

Let's jump right into it with some of the major takeaways from this week's report:

* ASC Plus Members can access the Momentum Report by clicking the link at the bottom of this post.

Macro Universe:

From the desk of Steve Strazza @Sstrazza

Our Top 10 Charts Report was just published.

In this weekly note, we highlight 10 of the most important charts or themes we're currently seeing in asset classes around the world.

A Quarter Century of Sideways

We like to use the Value Line Geometric Index as a representation of how the average, or median stock is making out. While the S&P might be a better illustration of the performance of an average portfolio, the Value Line shows us the performance of the average stock.

With prices cratering back beneath key prior-cycle highs, it’s not painting a very bullish picture for the broader market. These dot-com bubble and financial crisis highs ~510 are as important as any level in the stock market right now. If we’re below there, downside risks are elevated, and we’re on the sidelines. The fact that the median stock price has made zero progress since its 1998 peak almost 25-years ago tells you all you need to know about the damage the overall market has already endured. As long as VLG is below these former highs, we want to be prepared for more to come.

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

2022 Is Not 2008 - It Just Looks Like It

The Chart: 

In the past quarter century, only 2002 & 2008 have been more volatile than 2022. None have seen less strength beneath the surface than 2022. Other than this year, the only year to see more volatility than strength was 2008.

Why It Matters: 

Every year is its own experience, but we can see similarities in market environments over time. The current environment is consistent with past periods of persistent weakness.  

This is the video recording of the September 22nd, 2022, Weekly Town Hall w/ Willie Delwiche.

09/22/22 2:00 PM ET