August Begins With a Bang: Fitch Downgrades U.S. Debt, Retail Stocks Slump
2023.08.03 04:00
On August 1st, as many cheered the rise in , partly because consumer spending is 70% of the GDP, another agency did not cheer at all.
With Government Debt to the GDP ratio super high, coupled with high-interest rates, Fitch was not having it.
They see this as a huge stress on the economy.
In 2011, the last time the US had a downgrade, the Fed promised to keep rates low. That turned out to create a huge buy opportunity.
Now though, the Fed makes no such promise. They have inflation, a strong labor market, and now a debt downgrade on their hands.
This leaves very little wiggle room for the FED to maneuver.
In 2011, the Fed was not worried about inflation. Now they are.
What do Granny and Gramps of our Economic Modern Family have to say about that?
This is a great time to look at the monthly charts.
Remember, our thesis was that over the 23-month moving average (blue line) the index or sector signals expansion on a 2-year business cycle.
All the indexes accomplished that including iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:) or the . Yes, Gramps was last of the four, however, he’s gramps.
Now, with the news of the downgrade, IWM is taking a breather. Yet, not too bad at this point.
With a lot of government spending supporting manufacturing and industry in the US, Gramps WANTS to expand. Of course, that is how the government created so much debt in the first place…
But can it last?
August has just begun, so we do not really know at this point.
Retail ETF (NYSE:), on the other hand, has yet to clear its 23-month MA and convince us that the retail consumer is hanging around for a better second half of the year.
That makes for some interesting diversions.
191 is the level for IWM to hold.
On a shorter timeframe, 193 is the July 6-month calendar range high.
Right now, both levels are intact.
67.40 in XRT is the July 6-month calendar range high-the price sits below that.
69.50 is the 23-month MA. The price sits below that.
Should XRT break 66.00, that is a sign of weakness.
Bottom line:
Granny has the purchasing power and the greater influence on the GDP.
We like where IWM is holding for sure.
Without his bride though, today’s downgrade is a harbinger.
ETF Summary
- (SPY) Failing the July calendar range hi-follow thru Thursday to downside should be followed
- Russell 2000 (IWM) 191 is the 23-month holy grail
- Dow (DIA) 35,000 support
- Nasdaq (QQQ) Last 2 weeks of pricing wiped out-now we watch 365-380 range
- Regional banks (KRE) Back over 48 looks ok and under 44 not so much
- Semiconductors (SMH) 161 now more in the rear view-150 in focus
- Transportation (IYT) Still very strong as long as it holds its July 6-month calendar range high at 259.30
- Biotechnology (IBB) Compression between 123-130
- Retail (XRT) 66-67.40 short-term range
