CRICKETS FOR STOCK MARKET / ETF DIGEST ( A MUST READ )

CRICKETS FOR STOCK MARKET

August 15, 2012

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It’s hard to imagine markets being this quietly determined to move higher without any dissent. Bears are in hibernation consistently put-off by fear of QE3 and HAL 9000s. (Rosengrens & Fisher duel over QE.) Economic data remains mixed with some better housing data but much worse manufacturing data given today’s poor Empire State Mfg Survey (-5.85 vs 7 expected & prior 7). Within that data was very poor employment trends and much higher prices paid data.





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The CPI came in flat which was strange given the 20% rise in most energy prices. The Homebuilders Sentiment rose to 37 from 35 which is the highest since February 2007 but we know what happened after that. Industrial Production was slightly higher (.6%) and energy inventories dropped substantially allowing for more price gains.



A chart from the Fed shows “completed” new homes and presents a rather different picture.
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Meanwhile eurozone bulls remain enthusiastic there will be a “fix” even as Germans continue to shout “nein, nein, nein.” I guess bulls just don’t believe German rhetoric.


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Little noticed in headlines are higher energy costs stimulated by more war talk with Iran and much lower inventory data. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE just ordered all their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately as the Syrian conflict escalates and headlines shout Israel is preparing an attack on Iran.



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Given such a publicized headline might mean it’s not going to happen, at least not right away. If Obama is successful in securing a second term I doubt he’ll be attacking anyone other than RNC headquarters.



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Beneath the surface are some disturbing preparations the government is engaging in. The Fed and Treasury have asked the TBTF banks to prepare an emergency plan should there be an economic collapse. Homeland Security has been practicing for civil disorder on a massive scale. Over the past two days several articles have appeared suggesting various government agencies are ordering massive amounts of deadly hollow point bullets as noted. This is all quite disturbing and not denied by the government. I sound paranoid.



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As noted stocks continued their stealth rally led mostly by tech (XLK), bonds continued to sell-off during current auction, commodity prices (DBC) were higher, and the dollar (UUP) was slightly stronger putting gold (GLD) back on the defensive.




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Trading volume is the lowest since 2007 as the summer wears on and most investors must be awaiting Jackson Hole results. Breadth per the WSJ was positive overall.