Will the Market Internals Turn More Bearish?

03/08/2023

2 minutes read

2023.03.08 03:26

Jerome Powell brought reality to the market. Powell told the Senate Banking Committee in prepared remarks,

“The latest economic data have come in stronger than expected, which suggests that the ultimate level of interest rates is likely to be higher than previously anticipated,”

“If the totality of the data were to indicate that faster tightening is warranted, we would be prepared to increase the pace of rate hikes.”

Powell noted that economic data from January on inflation, job growth, consumer spending, and manufacturing production have partly reversed course from the slowdown seen back in December.

Interestingly, coming into today, the Sentiment Gauge flashed neutral.

Monday’s stated,

“Looking at Granny Retail, that business cycle not only leaves investors with the trading range resistance, it also shows how the Retail sector could be a harbinger of worse times this spring.”

We went on to say,

“Granny Retail and Prodigal Regional Banks are my key go-to’s for this week.”

So, will neutral sentiment go to bearish? And if so, what is next?

Powell says he has no intention of raising the inflation target from 2%-but that could change-especially since is still above 6%, and that number comes out next week.

With an inverted yield curve, a potential bottom in the long bonds, a stronger dollar, a persistent trading range, and-certain commodities still strong regardless (sugar, grains, , steel), the environment keeps screaming stagflation.

The long bonds (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:)) chart has a constructive exhaustion gap bottom in play. Since then, we have seen consolidation between 101-102.50. TLT is now outperforming SPY (Leadership).

And, the Real Motion indicator shows a positive divergence as momentum is just under the 50-DMA while the price is considerably below its 50-DMA. Why would long bonds bottom?

The long bond is just one part of the yield curve. It could mean that while the short-term yields inverted, the market is expecting a recession, hence a flight to safety in long bonds.

We imagine that should 20+ year bonds continue to go north, that too can be inflationary. TLTs have to get above the 50-DMA to get interesting. Stagflation is the worst thing for the FED.

Pause inflation goes higher. Don’t pause-certain inflation beyond Fed’s control goes higher given geopolitical and natural disaster potentials. Raise rates higher and kill the economy.