Market Wrap – Wednesday, March 15

Market Wrap – Wednesday, March 15

Video Length – 00:07:21
An Extra Day Likely Wouldn’t Have Made A Meaningful Difference

An Extra Day Likely Wouldn’t Have Made A Meaningful Difference

Retail sales comparisons were for February 2017 skewed by the extra day in February 2016. With the leap year February 29th a part of the base effect, the estimated growth rates (NSA) for this February are to some degree better than they appear. Seasonally-adjusted retail sales were in the latest estimates essentially flat when compared […]
Buyers Take Advantage Of Russell 2000 Discount

Buyers Take Advantage Of Russell 2000 Discount

Bulls are looking to build swing lows with some respectable buying across markets. Best of the market action went to the Russell 2000, gaining 1.5% with a close near today’s highs. The gain was enough to return the index above the 50-day MA, but there wasn’t much technical improvement. The Nasdaq 100 played to its […]
A Good News Type Of Day

A Good News Type Of Day

Well damned if this wasn’t a good news type of day. We’d wager the only people unhappy with how Wednesday turned out are Treasury shorts (and there are a lot of them) who got burned badly by a Fed that managed to sprinkle just enough dovish pixie dust into today’s hike to send yields plunging. Oh, […]
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Offers Upbeat 2017 Outlook, Despite Mixed Q4 Earnings

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Offers Upbeat 2017 Outlook, Despite Mixed Q4 Earnings

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) late Wednesday [Mar 15, 2017 | 4:21pm] posted mixed fourth quarter earnings results and offered a tepid Q1 outlook, but its 2017 forecast was better than expected, and its shares rose in aftermarket trading.
Fund-Of-Funds ETFs Defined

Fund-Of-Funds ETFs Defined

The fund-of-funds ETF structure provides an efficient and economical approach to the implementation of many investment strategies. Although critics often complain that fund-of-funds ETFs only put fees on top of fees, the reality is often quite different, making the structure a welcome addition to the investment world. Typically, an ETF directly owns the securities in […]
U.S. Equity ETF (USSD) Hits New 52-Week High

U.S. Equity ETF (USSD) Hits New 52-Week High

For investors seeking momentum, WisdomTree Strong Dollar US Equity ETF (USSD – Free Report) is probably on radar now. The fund just hit a 52-week high and is up about 27.2% from its 52-week low price of $23.49/share. But are more gains in store for this ETF? Let’s take a quick look at the fund and the near-term […]
So Much RHINO

So Much RHINO

The FOMC voted today to raise the federal funds corridor by another 25 bps. It was the third such change and the second over the past three months. Judging by the reactions to it, you would think this is 2004 again. It is not. It is instead perfectly consistent where on a day when the […]
Snap, Inc. Stock Upgraded By One Firm, Another Asks If It’s The Next FB Or TWTR

Snap, Inc. Stock Upgraded By One Firm, Another Asks If It’s The Next FB Or TWTR

Snap (SNAP) stock is now down by about 16% after a volatile initial public offering that sent shares skyrocketing 40% and then tanking just a few days later. Most analysts are bearish on the Snapchat parent company and rate its stock as a Sell or equivalent. Among the problems that have Wall Street up in arms are the lack […]
Equity Market Conditions Assessment & Portfolio Allocation Intentions

Equity Market Conditions Assessment & Portfolio Allocation Intentions

This note has three parts: Short summary of our current market view and portfolio allocation implications Bullet point outline of details behind our thinking in 5 segments (Trend, Valuation, Sentiment, Breadth, Forecasts) Supporting graphics for most of the bullet points provided in 24 charts and tables. The short summary is of our market view and intended allocation actions for […]