The Case For Higher Stock Prices

Refusing to decline or rise intraday, stocks are getting ready for a sizable move – and I think it would be to the upside. But it might not happen without moving lower first, as the flattening $VIX shows. The advance decline line doesn't really bring much short-term clarity to the picture either, but the bullish percent index is solidly in a bull market territory.

And in times as trying the patience as these, that's what hints at what the prudent course of action is. Stepping back, and checking the big picture. Are the bullish premises still valid? Any cracks in the dam emerging?

I still see that the bulls deserve the benefit of the doubt, and the reasons why follow.

S&P 500 in the Medium- and Short-Run

I’ll start today's flagship Stock Trading Alert with the weekly chart perspective (charts courtesy of http://stockcharts.com ):

Such were my recent comments:

(…) Bullish price action for many recent weeks on volume that isn't yet inviting increasing participation of the sellers. This fact alone bodes well for higher stock prices in the medium-term, but the buyers will meet a set of two key resistances shortly.

It's the Feb all-time highs that are drawing nearer day by day, and the upper border of the rising black trend channel.

The measured move higher continued, and volume decreased again, which doesn't point to the bears' willingness to step in just yet. Given the background of no stimulus deal thus far, and the election uncertainties going beyond taxation, that's actually encouraging.

The daily chart shows the S&P 500 hesitation in short run perfectly (please see this and many more charts at my home site). Volume is progressively declining, and a bigger price move is needed to entice market participants to act. And odds are, that it would be in line with the predominant direction, which means higher.

The Credit Markets’ Point of View

High yield corporate bonds (HYG ETF) can't find a strong bid lately, but the selling pressure appears abating. And so is the pace of daily declines losing steam to a degree.

Does the recent string of lower prices usher in a downtrend? Doesn't seem so just yet. Thus, I view it as a correction within an uptrend. As a consolidation while waiting for the coming Fed move as it comes to weekly balance sheet increases, and more positive economic news.

But the markets are about so much more than the Fed – the central bank is just one player, though with the deepest pockets. This is where other debt instruments come into play, and I mean the high quality ones, especially Treasuries.

The investment grade corporate bonds' dynamic (LQD ETF) is quite similar to their high-yield counterparts – both are declining, yet could see stabilization shortly. And as the 50-day moving average and early July lows have been reached in LQD ETF, the high-quality bonds might lead the way higher.

Very long-term Treasuries mirror the deceleration of the plunge. But it's especially within these instruments that I see a confirmation of the real economy recovery story, and the justification of why rising yields will translate into higher stock prices.

Take a good look at early June – Treasuries were plunging in the runup to the surprise non-farm payrolls gain that corresponded with the upside breakout above the rising wedge on the S&P 500 daily chart. This raises the likelihood we'll see an upswing in stocks this time around too.

Smallcaps, Emerging Markets and Other Clues

Over the very recent sessions, the Russell 2000 (IWM ETF) was acting weak, but let's not forget that it broke above it early June highs earlier. This makes the currently retreating prices a correction within an uptrend as the smallcaps aren't losing sight of the 500-strong index.

Neither the emerging markets (EEM ETF) are signaling danger – after outperforming since the start of July, they're taking a breather currently. The base they're building, will give way to another upswing (that's the more probable scenario).

Copper keeps consolidating preceding months' sharp gains, and appears less and less likely to decline as time passes by. Should it take on the $3 level successfully, that would be another vote of confidence in the nascent economic recovery.

Let's recall my recent observations:

(…) yesterday's lower knot indicates that the bulls have stepped back to a degree. That increases the probability that once trading leaves this flag, they will do so with a break higher.

Technology (XLK ETF) keeps consolidating with a bullish bias, and remains the leading S&P 500 sector. Healthcare (XLV ETF) is pausing, while financials (XLF ETF) are showing promising signs of life.

Summary

Summing up, S&P 500 has been going nowhere lately, and the market sentiment can be characterized as one of greed. Encouragingly for the bulls though, the bears are coming back to life as the slowly rising put/call ratio shows – that means the bullish side of the boat got less crowded. The economic recovery story is gaining traction, and stocks are likely to be helped in their upswing once long-dated Treasuries level off, which could help corporate bonds catch a strong bid again.

While the air near the Feb all-time highs is quite thin, the bulls aren't looking to be at the end of their rope.

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Monica Kingsley

Stock Trading Strategist

Sunshine Profits: Analysis. Care. Profits.

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All essays, research and information found above represent analyses and opinions of Monica Kingsley and Sunshine Profits' associates only. As such, it may prove wrong and be subject to change without notice. Opinions and analyses were based on data available to authors of respective essays at the time of writing. Although the information provided above is based on careful research and sources that are believed to be accurate, Monica Kingsley and her associates do not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the data or information reported. The opinions published above are neither an offer nor a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. Ms. Kingsley is not a Registered Securities Advisor. By reading Monica Kingsley’s reports you fully agree that she will not be held responsible or liable for any decisions you make regarding any information provided in these reports. Investing, trading and speculation in any financial markets may involve high risk of loss. Monica Kingsley, Sunshine Profits' employees and affiliates as well as members of their families may have a short or long position in any securities, including those mentioned in any of the reports or essays, and may make additional purchases and/or sales of those securities without notice.

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