Home » Stocks Get Confused By The Fed, But The Commentary Is Bullish

Stocks Get Confused By The Fed, But The Commentary Is Bullish
Stocks were up; Stocks were down, Stocks were confused by the Fed's balance sheet commentary, missing its dovish tone.

Stocks Get Confused By The Fed, But The Commentary Is Bullish

JANUARY 29, 2020

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STOCKS: FB, MSFT, TSLA, AMD, GE

MACRO: SPY, FED

MICHAEL KRAMER AND THE CLIENT OF MOTT CAPITAL OWN TSLA AND MSFT

Stocks seemed confused at the end of the day regarding the latest Fed commentary, and to be honest listening to the press conference, it was easy to get confused. Ample reserve exceeding excess reserves, and what is considered to be ample, versus which is ample enough to sustain the excess reserve. I’m just rambling here, but that might have well been what Chairman Powell said, and if you weren’t listening with a great deal of concentration, it was impossible to grasp. My main takeaways, which I discuss in a premium update, was this: the current pace of the balance sheet expansion isn’t going to last, and is likely to end at some point in the second quarter. However, it will likely continue, just a slower pace, more in line with the demands of the economy and monetary base. Premium content – Some Thoughts On Fed Meeting

Additionally, they made some minor changes to language:

The Committee judges that the current stance of monetary policy is appropriate to support sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation returning to the Committee’s symmetric 2 percent objective.

from

The Committee judges that the current stance of monetary policy is appropriate to support sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation nearthe Committee’s symmetric 2 percent objective.

The Fed wants to make it clear that inflation below 2% is something that is not acceptable and is looking for a return above 2%. It would tell me that the outlook for interest rates policy is likely to be lower for even longer.

It should provide a smooth path for the equity market longer-term and higher one.

S&P 500 (SPY) 

The chart shows that the S&P 500 got to resistance in that 3,290 region and just gave back all the gains to finish flat to finish at 3,272. This 3,272 region has become a level of support for the S&P 500 and should provide a place for stocks to rise from. Again, the S&P 500 seems placed well above the uptrend at the moment.

S&P 500, spx

Facebook (FB) 

Facebook is dropping after reporting better than expected earnings and inline revenue. The revenue guidance I think it is not very pleasant, with the company looking for decelerating growth, and no relief from thier rising costs. Earnings growth flat out sucks, and it doesn’t look as if it will be getting better anytime soon. We will see what comes out of the earnings call. It seems like $203 is the next level to watch for. Looks like the options traders, and myself got this one wrong. Free article on Forbes – Strong Quarterly Results May Push Facebook’s Stock Even Higher

Facebook, fb

Microsoft (MSFT) 

Meanwhile, Microsoft posted some strong results, with a big beat on the top and bottom. Azure continues to have fantastic growth, climbing 62% in the quarter. The options traders saw this one rising to around $176 following results, and it seems to be on the way there, currently at $175.50. I had mapped out an increase to about $179. It looks revenue guidance for the second quarter is better than expected at the mid-point as well 

Free article on I wrote Forbes – Microsoft’s Stock May Jump As Much As 9% Following Its Quarterly Results

Microsoft, msft

Tesla (TSLA) 

Tesla is up too after blowing out earnings and guiding to more than 500,000 deliveries in 2020. The stock is currently trading at $650 in the after hours, and this likely a case where analysts are going to have to raise their earnings and revenue estimates significantly following these results. So I’m going to need a few days to figure out a fundamental valuation. For now, I marked $662 as resistance because that its the highest price on the day. My subscribers likely remember this video I did on Tesla on May 23 – Does Tesla Really Have A Demand Problem? Let me answer that: Apparently Not! 😛

tesla tsla

GE (GE) 

GE had a huge move higher today, rising above resistance and is likely on its way to $13.30.

ge

AMD (AMD) 

AMD fell sharply today, but as I noted multiple times today that $46.80 was the line in the sand and as long as that level held, it would be a win. Well, it held, so I think we see a gap fill back up to $51. I give those updates on StockTwits and SA Marketplace rooms throughout the day

amd

-Mike

Mott Capital Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Upon request, the advisor will provide a list of all recommendations made during the past twelve months. Past performance is not indicative of future results.  

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