thependulumswings

Friends

The fifth time was a charm. After 5 tries since the 4th quarter of last year, the bulls finally penetrated the 2800 (2815 level to be exact) on the S&P, and were able hold it into the close. The economic data was mixed with consumer confidence and job openings stronger than expected, while the industrial production number was softer than expected. All this basically leads to the Fed being able to be “patient” with regards to monetary policy, but in the meantime the bulls can point to the fact that recession talk might have been premature.

As for today, by the close the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 139 points to finish the day at 25,849. The S&P 500 was up 14 points to close at 2,822. Gold was up $6 to trade at $1,301 per ounce, while oil was down $.18 to trade at $58.43 per barrel WTI.

Despite the woes for Boeing, which weighed on the Dow, it was a good week for the bulls. Now that we have closed above 2815 on a daily and weekly basis, let’s see if the bulls have cleared a runway to the old highs of 2940 on the S&P. The FOMC meets next week, but we obviously don’t expect the Fed to change interest rates at this point. They might give us more clarity on the quantitative tightening (bond run off) program, which could add to the overall dovish tone that the Chair has exhibited recently. We’ll let you know how things play out next week. Stay tune.

Jim