BAD NEWS BULLS / ETF DIGEST

QE TRUMPS HORRIBLE ECONOMIC DATA

 

 

 

 

September 27, 2012

 

You couldn’t have dreamed-up the crummy economic data received Thursday. The leading stinkers were GDP (1.3% vs 1.7% expected) and Durable Goods Orders (-13.2% vs -5% expected & prior 4.2%).

 

 

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Along for the ride were Pending Homes Sales (-2.6% vs .3% expected & prior 2.4%) and Jobless Claims which beat (359K vs 376K expected & prior revised higher to 382K). The bullish spin for the poor GDP data was it was caused by the drought that doesn’t jive with the calendar, as it doesn’t support such a claim. The poor Pending Home Sales data was spun by bulls as caused by a lack of inventory. Of course this is hilarious since if you asked any banker with REO and they’ll tell you they have plenty of inventory.

 

 

 

 

Jobless Claims data looked positive on the surface but “headline” numbers showed claims down by 141K but cumulative “revisions” show only 2K lower in 2012 as chart below shows. In an election year unsurprised the Department of Labor has asserted it may have underestimated job growth by 380K. (There will be plenty of spin there.)

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Spain of course remains in the headlines as the budget process is slowly being unveiled. It seems to be more about buying some more time than doing anything constructive. Frankly they’re borrowing from their social security trust fund, which might see them through October. Per BNP with a hat tip to Zero Hedge:


 

 

•  Spain is edging closer to asking for financial aid, but it’s a long, slow process. We think Spain will find it very difficult to hold out longer than October, though a transfer from the social-security stabilization fund could give it some room to maneuver.

 

•  After today’s announcement of the 2013 budget and planned structural reforms, the next event is tomorrow’s publication of the results of the bottom-up bank audit.

 

•  The Eurogroup should take a broadly positive view on the new measures, assuming it is given more detail, allowing the Spanish government to spin any bailout as a reward for form. This could remove part of the stigma associated with it, at least domestically.

 

•  The country’s regional elections on 21 October could be the last obstacle to an aid request. Another glitch, however, is Catalonia’s call for an early election in November and a potential referendum on regional autonomy.

 

•  Any unused funds from the bank bailout may be used to lower the final cost of a sovereign bailout, something that should appease Germany. But we don’t think these funds will be enough and expect Spain.

And, so it goes—kick the can, buy some time, let others deal with it and etc. The demonstrators will tire and be confused is their hope.

 

 

So stocks rallied on the combination of the Bernanke/Draghi Put. It’s just the way things are and who are we to fight the tape?

 

 

The dollar (UUP) fell; the euro (FXE) rallied; bonds (TLT) fell; commodities (DBC) (USO) (GLD) (DBB) and so forth rallied. Stocks were led higher broadly by technology and ideas from China that more stimulus would be on the way. Further it was reported China authorities added $58 billion to money markets yesterday.


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Volume was modest again on the price melt-up. Breadth per the WSJ was positive relieving some short-term oversold conditions from 5 days of selling.
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It is pretty comical to see a headline touting a market rally on strong employment data solely. Ignored in most articles with bullish spin was the dreadful GDP, Durable Goods and Pending Home Sales data. But this is the market we have. We’re also nearing the end of the month and quarter. Fees and bonuses are on the line for portfolio managers and let’s just say they’re human. So, a little window dressing is usually in the cards.


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Vanguard just cautioned investors: “Don't react to news events like the downward revision of GDP. It's just 1 piece of info that markets are already pricing in. -VG economist”. Yeah, that’s the ticket!