This morning. Today, U.S. equity futures are moderately higher following yesterday afternoon's impressive positive reversal, the market's 2nd consecutive. Notably, the S&P 500 (SPX) index closed above resistance levels, suggesting the probability of further advance on short covering. In Asia, equity markets closed higher, though Japan rallied notably, probably on short covering. In Europe, indexes are moderately higher and near the top of the day's trading range. The dollar is modestly mixed. Commodities are mostly higher. Thursday's Nikkei 225 June 2014 (NKM4) equity futures are unchanged. The U.S. trading week is shortened by this Friday's Good Friday holiday.
U.S. economic reporting focuses on March housing starts and building permits. Commentary focuses on bank earnings from Bank of America, PNC Financial Services Group, and U.S. Bancorp, among others. At 12:25, Fed Chairman Yellen speaks before the Economic Club of New York.
On April 4th, the U.S. equity markets distributed, and the market outlook worsened to "in correction", ending a brief "confirmed uptrend" that began on April 1st. The SPX opens -2.53% below the April 2nd record 1890.90 close.
Tuesday, on greater and above average volume, major equity indexes opened higher in early trading, but reversed lower by mid-morning and fell to large mid-afternoon losses. Impressively, indexes rallied after 2:00, and reversed higher and closed near their early morning highs. The S&P 500 (SPX) rose +.068%, closing more than 26 points above its intraday low. The DJI, Nasdaq, and NYSE composite closed up +0.68%, +0.55%, +0.29%, and +0.41%, respectively. The DJ Transports (TRAN) rose +0.86%.
NYSE volume rose +14.1% to 0.995x its 20-day moving average. The NYSE composite is now +0.02% higher in 2014. The other major indexes are at least -0.29% lower in 2014.
Other notable indexes closed higher. The Russell 2000 (RTY), Nasdaq Internet (QNET), Nasdaq Biotech (NBI) closed up +0.37%, +0.57%, and +0.90%, respectively. The QNET remains in correction, down -15.8%, while the NBI is in bear market territory, down -20.4%, from recent highs.
The 1Q2014 earnings reports began on March 15th, with 46 of 500 SPX companies having now reported, with a +4.67% EPS surprise, and +0.10% revenue surprise.
Trading desks reported mostly quiet markets overseas, with the exception of Japan, where equities closed much higher on short-covering. In Europe gains are strong. Trading desks described the past two day's price action as "encouraging", as sell-offs failed and technical levels held. Buyers remains hesitant, but with greater probability of short covering, which could push indexes higher. Market "resilience" seems the operating theory. The week is likely to be relatively quiet through the holiday shortened week. Sentiment remains fragile.
Price earnings multiples remain elevated. With SPX equities trading at a 16.7 (compared to 16.6x the prior day) 2013 earnings multiple, attention focuses on 2014 earnings and valuations (16.7x times survey $117.06 2014 SPX operating earnings suggests a 1,958.57 SPX level this year, a +6.27% rise).
Technicals improved modestly. Led by utilities, most SPX market segments closed higher. Market breadth was positive, and up volume led down volume. Volatility fell. Treasury bond markets strengthened. On the day, the U.S. Treasury 10-year bond yield fell 1.89 bps to 2.6283%, compared to 2.6472% at the prior close.
This morning, 10-year U.S. Treasury yields are up +1.26 bps to 2.6409%, compared to the prior close. Spanish and Italian 10-year debt yields are near their lowest levels since 2005, at 3.07% and 3.10%, respectively, compared to 3.09% and 3.11% the prior day.
U.S. options markets worsened to bearish to bullish, compared to neutral to bullish the prior day. The CBOE SKEW is above a neutral range.
In pre-market futures trading, June SPX equity futures (SPM4) price near the top of a 1840-1850 trading range. After a fair value adjustment of -3.02 points, the SPM4 future prices at 1849.00, up +12.52 points. The SPX opens -0.85% and -0.20% below its respective 20- and 50-day moving averages, and +0.76% and +4.50% above its 200-day moving averages. Initial resistance is 1852.57. Initial support is 1824.84, then 1806.70.
In Asia, equity markets closed higher, but with exceptional Japanese gains, largely on aggressive short covering. On the day, the Nikkei 225 (NKY) rose +3.01%. The NKY remains in correction. The Hang Sang index (HSI) rose +0.11%. The Shanghai SE composite (SHCOMP) index rose +0.17%. Today's volumes are unavailable.
Commentary focused on Chinese stimulus speculation, spurred by the Chinese 1Q2014 GDP report, which showed a 24-year low rise of +7.4%, and currency, and commodity price developments. This week, the NKY is up +3.28%, while the HSI and SHCOMP are down -1.34% and -1.19%, respectively. Last week, the NKY closed down -7.33%%, while the HSI and SHCOMP closed up +2.19% and +3.48%, respectively. In April, the NKY is down -2.77%, while the HSI and SHCOMP are up +2.46% and +3.53%, respectively, compared to March, when the NKY, HSI, and SHCOMP lost -0.09%, -3.00%, and -1.12%, respectively.
In 2014, the NKY and HSI are down -11.5% and -2.62%, respectively, while the SHCOMP is down -0.51%. In 2013, the NKY rose +56.7%. The HSI closed up +2.87%. The SHCOMP closed down -6.75%.
In China, short-term interbank lending rates remained volatile and fell -71 bps to 2.72%, compared to 3.43% Tuesday, up from a 2.26% low on March 11th, but down from the February 7th 5.41% recent high.
Regional relative strength indexes (RSI) show Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai in the middle of neutral ranges. The NKY RSI rose to 47.22, compared to 35.83 the prior day, up from an oversold 27.92 on February 4th, the most recent prior yearly low. The HSI RSI rose to 57.71, compared to 55.26 the prior day. The SHCOMP's RSI fell to 57.78, compared to 57.06 the prior session. On June 27, 2013, the index's RSI fell to a low of 15.27, which was also last year's low index close.
In Japan, the NKY closed at 14,417.68, compared to 13,996.81 the prior day, -11.5% below its recent year-end 16,291.31 high and -63.0% below its late-1989 38,915.87 high close. The index gapped higher to open above 14,100 and trended higher through the session to a late 14,420.30 intraday high. The index closed -0.70%, -1.44%, -4.50%, and -1.36% below its respective 20-, 50-, 100-, and 200-day moving averages. All market segments closed at least +1.86% higher. Leaders were telecommunications, oil and gas, and consumer services, which rose at least +3..52%. Financials rose +3.36%. Laggards were consumer goods, utilities, and technology.
In China, the HSI closed at 22,696.01, compared to 22,671.26 at the prior close. The index rallied to 22,850 in early trading then traded narrowly to mid-afternoon, when it weakened and briefly reversed lower with a 22,627.51 intraday low. The index improved in the final hour to salvage its small gain. Most market segments closed higher. Leaders were technology, oil and gas, and basic materials, which rose at least +0.23%. Financials gained +0.13%. Laggards were industrials, telecommunications, and consumer services, which fell at least -0.19%. The index closed -5.08% below its recent December 3rd 23,910.47 high, but +24.8% above its 18,185.59 June 4, 2012 low.
In Shanghai, the SHCOMP closed at 2,105.12, compared to 2,131.54 at the prior close, +7.77% above the 1,950.01 June 27th close, last year's low. The index traded narrowly through the day with an early 2,111.79 intraday high and late morning 2,092.41 intraday low. Most market segments closed higher. Leaders were telecommunications, financials, and consumer services, which rose at least +0.34%. Laggards were health care, oil and gas, and consumer goods, which fell at least -0.08%.
In Europe, equities are moderately higher. The Euro Stoxx50, FTSE 100, and CAC 40 are up +1.20%, +0.55%, +1.07%, and +1.14%, respectively. The Spanish IBEX 35 is up +1.37%. The Italian FTSE MIB up +2.38%. Commentary focuses on yesterday's strong U.S. close and the latest earnings reports.
Economic reporting is light. Commentary focuses on today's earnings reports.
European bourses have recently outperformed U.S. equity indexes. Intraday Euro Stoxx50 relative strength (RSI) is 48.87, compared to 43.04 at the prior close, in the middle of a neutral (30-70) range, but better than its recent February 5th 33.57 low, which coincided with its 2014 low. The indexes lowest recent RSI level was 25.77 on June 24th, which marked the 2013 2,494.54 closing low.
Today, the Euro Stoxx50 trades at 3,128.17, -3.15% below its 3,230.33 April 4th post-2008 high close, and -40.4% below its 5,249.55 March 31, 2000, all-time closing high. From its prior day 3,091.52 close, the index gapped higher to open above 3,122 and then traded narrowly, with a late morning 3,113.47 intraday low and mid-afternoon 3,128.87 intraday high. Most market segments are now higher. Leaders are industrials, financials, and telecommunications, which are up at least +1.39%. Laggards are consumer services and oil and gas, which are up at least +0.72%, and technology, which is down -1.26%.
This week, the Euro Stoxx50, FTSE 100, and CAC 40 are up +0.39%, +0.24%, and +0.60%, respectively, while the DAX is down -0.40%. Last week, the Euro Stoxx50, FTSE 100, CAC 40, and DAX closed down -3.52%, -2.00%, -2.65%, and -3.29%, respectively. In April, the Euro Stoxx50, FTSE 100, and CAC 40 are up +0.39%, +0.24%, and +0.60%, respectively, while the DAX is down -0.40%. In March, Euro Stoxx50 closed up +0.39%, while the FTSE 100, CAC 40, and DAX closed down -3.10%, -0.38%, and -1.40%, respectively.
In 2014, the indexes are mixed. The Euro Stoxx50 and CAC 40 are up +0.63% and +2.23%, respectively, while the FTSE 100 and DAX are down -2.54%, and -2.87%, respectively. In 2013, the indexes closed up +18.0%, +14.4%, +18.0%, and +25.5%, respectively.
1Q2014 SPX Earnings. Of 40 (of 500) reporting companies, 25 or 62.5% surprised positively on earnings, with an average +2.90% surprise average. Of reporting companies, 22 or 55.0% reported sales or revenues above estimates. The average sales/revenue surprise is +0.04%. Consumer discretionary leads with respective +6.72% and +0.33% earnings and revenue surprises. Financials have a 4.16% earnings surprise, and a +0.55% revenue surprise. Industrials lag with respective -3.94% and -0.64% revenues surprises.
Valuation. The SPX trades at 16.7x estimated 2013 earnings ($110.15), 15.7x estimated 2014 earnings ($117.06), 14.1x estimated 2015 earnings ($130.52), and 12.7x estimated 2016 earnings ($144.98). The 10-year average median price/earnings multiple is 15.9x. Analysts expect 2014, 2015, and 2016 earnings to grow +6.27%, +11.5%, and 11.1%, respectively.
The KBW Bank Index (BKX) trades at 13.4x 2013 adjusted EPS ($5.16), 12.6x estimated 2014 earnings ($5.47), 11.4x estimated 2015 earnings ($6.08), and 10.1x 2016 earnings ($6.81). Analysts expect 2014, 2015, 2016 EPS will grow +6.00%, +11.2%, and +12.0%, respectively.
Composite, index, and equity options. Options markets worsened to bearish to bullish, compared to neutral to bullish the prior session. Composite options are neutral, index options are bullish, and equity options are bearish. The composite put/call ratio is 0.94, compared to 0.74 the prior day, and worse than 5- and 10-period moving averages of 0.90 and 0.89, respectively. The index put/call ratio is 0.79, compared to 0.61 the prior day, and better than its 5- and 10-period moving averages of 0.84 and 0.85, respectively. The equity put/call ratio closed the day at 1.03, compared to 0.90 the prior day, and worse than its 5- and 10-period moving averages of 0.97 and 0.93, respectively.
NYSE Volume, Breadth Indicators. Volume rose +14.1% to 789.26 million shares, compared to 691.51 million shares the prior day, 1.00x the 793.21 million share 20-day moving average. Market breadth was positive, and up volume led down volume. Advancing stocks led by +674 (compared to +962, or 1.57:1. Up volume was 1.78:1 down volume.
Market Outlook and Distribution Day Count. On April 4th, the U.S. equity markets distributed and the market outlook worsened to "in correction", ending a brief "confirmed uptrend" that began on April 1st. The SPX opened April 4th at a record 1888.77, up +0.88% from the April 1st 1872.34 open. Today, the SPX opens -2.53% below the April 2nd record close.
Libor, LOIS, Currencies, Treasuries, Commodities:
· USD LIBOR is 0.09070%, compared to 0.08800% the prior day. USD 3-month LIBOR is 0.22635%, down from 0.22865% the prior day, and compares to the January 4, 2013, recent peak of 0.58250%.
· The US Libor-OIS (LOIS) spread is 15.085 bps, compared to 14.385 bps the prior day, and compares to the recent June 12, 2012, 46.785 bps high. Euribor-OIS is 14.270 bps, up from 13.800 bps the prior day, and down from the December 27, 2011, high of 98.800 bps. Moves in the LOIS indicate changes in intra-bank lending risk premiums.
· The 3-month Euro basis swap is -1.705 bps, compared to -1.725 bps the prior day, up from a trough of -147.00 bps on December 14, 2011, but far better than a normal -10 bps and -40 bps range.
· German 10-year debt yields are 1.49%, compared to 1.47% the prior day. Japanese 10-year debt yields are 0.61%, compared to 0.61% the prior day.
· Spanish and Italian 10-year debt yields are at their best levels since 2005. Spanish 10-year debt yields are 3.08%, compared to 3.09% the prior day. Italian 10-year debt yields are at 3.10%, compared to 3.11% the prior day.
· U.S. Treasury yields are higher, with 2- and 10-year maturities yielding 0.367% and 2.646%, respectively, compared to 0.367% and 2.628% Tuesday. The yield curve widened +1.800 bps, with the 2- to 10-year spread at +2.279%, compared to 2.261% the prior day. In the past year, the 2- and 10-year spread varied from a low of +1.429% on May 1, 2013, to a high of +2.648% on December 31, 2013.
· The U.S. dollar is modestly mixed, stronger compared to the Japanese yen, but weaker compared to the euro and British pound. The dollar trades at US$79.715, compared to a US$79.648 intraday low and US$79.803 the prior day, and worse compared to its $80.033 50-day, US$80.315 100-day, and US$80.686 200-day averages. The euro trades at US$1.3840, compared to a US$1.3851 intraday high and US$1.3815 the prior day. The euro trades better compared to its US$1.3776 50-day and US$1.3713 100-day averages, and compares to a multi-year low of US$1.1877 on June 7, 2010. In Japan, the dollar trades at ¥102.26, compared to ¥101.92 the prior day. The yen trades better than its 50-day moving average ¥102.37, and better than its January 1st 105.31 closing low, its weakest prior multi-year closing low.
· Citigroup Economic Surprise Index improved to -32.70, compared to -37.60 the prior day, better than its -45.90 worst on April 7th, but continuing its string of consecutive negative readings since February 18th. The index is better compared to its respective -39.50 5-day and -40.70 10-day moving averages. Last June 10th, the index fell to a then 52-week low of -33.26. The index improved and turned positive on July 30th and rose to 53.30 on October 1st, but subsequently fell on dollar weakness to -2.10 on October 31st. It subsequently strengthened to a +72.70 high on January 15th, but then subsequently trended lower and turned negative on February 19th and fell to a -45.90 124-week low on April 7th . After a lag, the CESIUSD correlates with EPS revisions.
· Commodities prices are mostly higher, with lower energy, mixed precious metals, lower aluminum and copper, and mostly higher agriculture prices.
Volatility, Skew:
· The CBOE SPX Volatility Index (VIX) fell -3.10% to 15.61, compared to 16.11 at the prior close. The VIX is +6.18% above the 14.70 20-day moving average. Its 30-day high is 18.22. Its 30-day low is 12.60. The index's all-time closing low is 9.31 on December 22, 1993. The long-term average is 20.14.
· The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index (V2X) is 18.01, down -8.30% compared to 19.64 at the prior day's close. The V2X index trades +1.69% above its 17.71 20-day moving average, -26.0% below the 24.35 30-day high, and +16.2% above the 15.50 30-day low.
· The Hang Seng volatility index (VHSI) closed at 15.63, down -3.64% compared to 16.22 at the prior close. The VHSI index trades -2.67% below 16.06 20-day moving average. Its lowest historical close was 11.72, on June 30, 2005.
· CBOE SKEW (SKEW) rose +4.43% to 129.24, compared to 123.76 the prior session, above a neutral reading (115-120), but again below 130, a level that correlates well with short-term market tops. The recent record high was 143.20 on December 20th. Its recent low was 112.47 on May 25, 2013. Spikes in excess of 130 correlate well with short-term market tops, though not in October or November. The index rarely falls below 110, last on July 31, 2009. The index correlates with market tail risks, the cost of buying out-of-the-money, long-dated options, i.e., options not affected by expirations. A rise suggests that investors are buying more puts than calls, a bearish signal.
U.S. Economic Reporting and News:
- The latest week's MBA mortgage applications rose +4.3%, compared to a decline of -1.6% the prior week.
- At 8:30, MoM March housing starts rose+2.8%, compared to +7.0% survey and +1.9% revised prior.
- MoM March building permits fell 2.4%, compared to -0.4% survey and +7.3% revised prior.
- At 9:15, March MoM industrial production, with +0.5% survey and +0.6% prior.
- At 9:15, March capacity utilization, with 78.7% survey and 78.4% revised prior.
- March change in manufacturing production, with +.6% survey and +0.8% prior.
Overseas Economic Reporting and News:
- Australia - March MoM Westpac leading index was 0.0%, compared to -0.1% prior.
- China - 1Q2014 YoY GDP grew +7.4%, compared to +7.3% survey and +7.7% prior. 1Q2014 QoQ GDP grew +1.4%, compared to +1.5% survey and +1.7% revised prior. March YoY retail sales rose +12.2%, compared to +12.1% survey. March YoY industrial production rose +8.8%, compared to +9.0% survey.
- Japan - February final MoM industrial production fell -2.3%, compared to -2.4% revised prior. February MoM capacity utilization fell -2.6%, compared to +6.2% revised prior.
- Eurozone - March MoM CPI rose +0.9%, compared to +1.0% survey and +0.3% prior. March final YoY core CPI rose +0.7%, compared to +0.8% survey and prior.
- United Kingdom - February ILO 3 month unemployment was 6.9%, compared to +7.1% survey and +7.2% prior.
Company Ratings/News:
- Bank of America (BAC) - Reported adjusted earnings of $0.34, compared to $0.266 consensus, and revenues of $22.655 billion, compared to $22.280 billion survey.
- PNC Financial Services (PNC) - Reported adjusted earnings of $1.710, compared to $1.653 consensus, and revenues of $3.732 billion, compared to $3.866 billion survey.
- US Bancorp (USB) - Reported adjusted earnings of $0.34, compared to $0.266 consensus, and revenues of $22.655 billion, compared to $22.280 billion survey.
- CapitalOne Financial Corp - Reports after today's close, with $1.702 EPS and $5.454 billion revenue surveys.
- BB&T Corp (BBT) - Reports after today's close, with $0.702 EPS and $2.305 billion revenue surveys.
- Goldman Sachs - Reports tomorrow before the open, with $3.490 EPS and $8.664 billion revenue surveys.
- Morgan Stanley - Reports tomorrow before the open, with $0.599 EPS and $8.572 billion revenue surveys.
Tuesday's Trade. On lower, but above average NYSE volume, U.S. equity indexes rebounded after last week's consecutive distributions. The day was volatile, with a higher open On the day, the SPX, DJI, Nasdaq, and NYSE composite rose +0.82%, +0.91%, +0.57%, and +0.76%, respectively. All ended lower in April, and in 2014.
Other notable indexes also rallied. The Russell 2000 (RTY) rose +0.37%, and closed -7.38% below its March 4th record close. The Nasdaq Internet Index (QNET) rose +0.57%, and is in correction at -15.8% below its March 6th closing high. The Nasdaq Biotech Index (NBI) rose +0.90%, and remains in a bear market, down -20.4% from its recent February 25th record high.
On April 4th, the U.S. equity markets distributed, and the market outlook worsened to "in correction", ending a brief "confirmed uptrend" that began on April 1st. Today, the SPX opens -2.53% below the April 2nd record 1890.90 close.
Market breadth was positive, with gainers 1.57x losing stocks. Most SPX market segments closed higher. Leaders were utilities, oil and gas, and health care, which rose at least +1.10%. Financials rose +0.92%. Laggards were technology, and telecommunications, which rose +0.14%, and consumer services, which fell -0.05%.
NYSE volume rose +14.1% to 789.26 million shares, compared to 691.51 million shares the prior day, 0.995x the 793.21 million share 20-day moving average volume. On the day, bond markets strengthened. The U.S. 10-year yield opened at the 2.6454%, traded narrowly through mid-afternoon when the index fell to the 2.5941% intraday low. The yield closed at 2.6283%, down -1.89 bps compared to the 2.6472% prior close.
From its prior day 1830.61 SPX close, June 2014 SPX futures (SPM4) suggested a moderately higher open. The SPX index rallied to a 10:00 1830.61 intraday high, but quickly reversed lower by 11:00 and fell by 1:00 to the 7,360.04 intraday low. The index rallied and revered higher by 2:00 and rallied to close +26.69 points above the day's low. The index ended at 1842.98, -2.53% below its 1890.90 April 2nd record close. The index closed +71.5% above the 1074.77 October 4, 2011, intraday low, the bottom of the most recent correction.
The DJ Transportation index (TRAN) rose +0.86%, compared to DJI's +0.55% gain. From its prior 7,403.24 close, the TRAN rallied to a 10:00 7,485.83 intraday high, then reversed lower by mid-morning to a mid-afternoon 7,360.04 intraday low. The index reversed higher by 1:45 and rose to 7,470 in the session's final minutes. The TRAN closed at 7,466.79, -2.97% below its April 2nd record high close. Volume rose +23.2% to 17.416 million shares, compared to 14.133 million shares the prior session, and 1.37x the 15-day moving average volume. The TRAN closed -0.65% below and +0.64% above its 20- and 50-day moving averages, and +1.64% and +6.93% above its respective 100- and 200-day moving averages.
Market volatility fell -3.15%, as the CBOE SPX volatility index (VIX) closed at 15.61, compared to 16.11 at the prior close. The VIX fell below 15.60 in early session, the rose as markets sold off to an early afternoon 17.50 intraday high. The index moved lower by 2:30 to a late session 15.47 intraday low. The VIX's all-time closing low was 9.31, on December 22, 1993. Its record high was 89.53 in December 2008. Its lifetime average is 20.01. The CBOE put/call SKEW rose +4.43% to 129.24, compared to 123.76 the prior session, above a neutral 115-120 range, but below 130, a level that correlates well with short-term market tops.
The market's technical factors improved as all but the Nasdaq recaptured their 5-day moving averages. All major indexes closed below their 10-, and 20-day moving averages. The SPX relative strength (RSI) improved to 47.13, compared to 43.43 the prior day, in a neutral range, and better than an oversold 31.24 on February 3rd. The RSI is also down from an overbought 71.26 on December 31st, when the SPX closed at an earlier record high, but above earlier oversold levels of 35.14 on August 27th and 39.19 on October 9th. This week, the SPX, DJI, Nasdaq, and NYSE composite are up +1.50%, +1.47%, +0.86%, and +1.18%, respectively. Last week, the SPX, DJI, Nasdaq, and NYSE composite closed down -2.26%, -1.82%, -3.75%, and -1.48%, respectively. In April, the SPX, DJI, Nasdaq, and NYSE composite are down -1.57%, -1.19%, -3.93%, and -1.19%, respectively. In March, the DJI and NYSE composite closed up +0.01% and +0.09%, respectively, while the SPX and Nasdaq are down -0.10% and -3.54%, respectively.
In 2014, the NYSE composite is up +0.02%, while the SPX, DJI, and Nasdaq are down -0.29%, -1.89%, and -3.41%, respectively. In 2013, the SPX, DJI, Nasdaq, and NYSE composite closed up +29.6%, +26.5%, +38.2%, +23.2%, respectively. All closed at least +5.91% higher in 2012.
KBW Bank Index (BKX). On higher and above average volume, the BKX rose +0.77% to 69.12, compared to 68.59 at the prior day's close, its 4th consecutive below 70.0 and -5.20% below its 72.91 March 20th post-2008 closing high. In early trading the BKX rallied to a 69.33 intraday high, but reversed lower to an early afternoon 68.08 intraday low. Impressively, the index reversed higher by 2:00 and rallied through the close. Volume rose +8.75% to 61.003 million shares, compared to 56.097 million shares the prior day, and 1.13x the 53.869 million share 15-day moving average.
Large cap banks outperformed the regional banks, as the KBW regional banking index (KRX) rose +0.23%.
This week, the BKX is up +1.51%, compared to last week, when the BKX closed down -4.69%. In April, the BKX is down -4.39%, compared to March, when the BKX closed up +4.94%. In 2014, the BKX is down -0.20%, compared to the SPX's -0.29% loss. In 2013, the BKX rose +35.1%, better than the SPX's +29.6% rise.
The BKX is now +16.8% better than the June 24th 59.19 close, its worst since May 13, 2013. The index crossed above 50 on December 17, 2012, 60 on May 15, 2013, and 70 on January 8, 2014, but then dropped back below 70 on January 24th, which persisted until March 6th. On April 10th, the BKX fell below 70.00 to an April 11th 68.09 closing low. The BKX closed +112.3% above the 32.56 intraday low on October 4, 2011, the bottom of that year's correction. Large-cap bank stocks have outperformed the broader market's rebound, with the SPX up +71.5% in the same period.
The BKX index closed -42.9% below its February 20, 2007, record 121.06 high. The BKX is up +271.2% from its 18.62 March 6, 2009, closing low.
Technical indicators were little changed. The index closed -3.02%, -1.06%, and -0.09% below its respective 20-, 50-, and 100-day moving averages, but +3.53% above its 200-day moving averages. The 20-day moving average fell -8 bps to 71.28. The 69.86 50-day moving average rose +5 bps. Its 100-day moving average rose +3 bps to 69.18, and the 200-day moving average rose +4 bps to 66.76. The 20-day closed (by +1.42 points) above the 50-day, but the gap narrowed -15 bps. The 50-day moving average closed (by +3.10 points) above the 200-day moving average, and the gap widened +4 bps. The 100-day moving average closed (by +2.42 points) above the 200-day moving average, and the gap narrowed -1 bp.
The directional movement indicator improved to -16.781, compared to -19.132 the prior day, its 7th consecutive negative reading. Relative strength improved to 41.50, compared to 37.64 the prior day, in a neutral range, up from the recent 32.95 low on February 3rd, but down from an overbought 75.56 and 71.88 on January 9th and 10th, respectively. The recent low RSI level 31.08 on November 14, 2012, which is also the date of the BKX's 2012 closing low. Next resistance is 69.61; next support is 68.36.
SPX, DJI, RTY, TRAN, CCMP, NYA, VIX, SKEW, NKY, EURUSD, USGG10YR, HSI, SHCOMP, SX5E, CAC, DAX, FTSE, JPY, GBP, EUR