Sunday, November 23, 2014

Charting Last Week (11/17 - 11/21/14)

The Daily Leading Index increased by 0.63% percentage points to 7.68%. The Daily Coincident Index is at 3.64%. The Daily Leading Index page on the tab above is updated daily during the week.
Stock prices were mostly up for the week as the S&P 500 closed at a new high. International Emerging Markets (EEM) rose sharply by 3.2% on Friday after China announced its first rate cut in two years. Bond prices were mostly up for the week. The charts below show the normal trading ranges for various indices for the last six months. The red (or green) area indicates 2-3 standard deviations above (or below) the normal 21 day trading range. The gray area indicates 1-2 standard deviations above (or below) the normal 21 day trading range.
Earnings Season for the S&P 500 is coming to a close. With 97% of the S&P 500 reporting earnings for last quarter, as reported full year earnings are on pace to be up 12.4% year over year. The Leading Indicator for International Developed Markets (EFA) declined by 0.04% percentage points to 0.42%. The Leading Indicator for International Emerging Markets (EEM) is at 4.46%.

 On Monday it was announced that Japan has slipped into yet another recession. This surprised most economists. According to the Wall Street Journal: "None of the 18 economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had forecast a contraction; the median forecast was for a 2.25% expansion." The leading indicator for Japan is negative for six months now.
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These charts have limitations.  Economic data is often revised after the fact.  The market is forward looking and anticipates future events.  The unexpected can and will happen.  The market is continually changing.  The conditions of the past are different from the present.  Past performance is not an indication of future performance.