Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Market Direction Mid Week Update©













Market Direction: BULLISH alert issued 11/10/2016


U.S. stocks ended a volatile session lower on Wednesday, as investors grappled with the prospect of a faster pace of rate increases in 2017 than had been previously forecast.

The Federal Reserve raised its key short-term rate on Wednesday, as had been universally expected, but it also forecast three rate increases in 2017, compared with the two that had been anticipated at its previous meeting in September. While the revised outlook could be taken as a positive sign—the Fed has said it would only raise rates when it deems the economy strong enough to withstand such a move—it added an element of uncertainty to the market.

Three rate increases next year is something of a surprise, and it may take some time for investors to digest.

 “It is indicative of a stronger economy, but with increased borrowing costs it won’t be as easy for companies that are reliant on debt. This is the next step in our transitioning back to an environment where fundamentals matter more than policy, and some investors may be pausing because of that.”

All three major indexes briefly traded higher after the announcement, but they turned lower as Yellen began her news conference.

In raising rates, the Fed moved its key short-term rate to a range of 0.5%-0.75% from 0.25% to 0.5%. The Fed decision marks the central bank’s first increase in rates since last December, which itself was the first in about a decade.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, -0.60%  fell 118.5 points, or 0.6%, to 19,792.66. The S&P 500 index SPX, -0.81%  lost 18.44 points, or 0.8%, to trade at 2,253.28. The Nasdaq Composite Index COMP, -0.50%  lost 27.16 points, or 0.5%, to 5,436.67.

All 11 of the S&P 500’s primary sectors ended lower, but so-called defensive names were among the weakest of the day. The utilities, real estate, and consumer-staples sectors all fell more than 1%. Those industries have been favored in the current environment, as low rates make their dividend yields more attractive. Energy stocks also dropped, tracking a decline in the price of crude oil.
Financial stocks slumped 0.6%, erasing an initial move higher. Banks tend to be sensitive to rate increases due to the impact it has on their business models. 

The gyrations for stocks come as the Dow has been inching closer to the key psychological level of 20,000. The blue-chip index, along with other benchmarks, also have been on a tear since the election, with investors expecting President-elect Donald Trump’s policy proposals—including massive corporate tax cuts and environmental and financial deregulation—to accelerate growth and stoke inflation. Major indexes have hit a series of records, but were headed firmly lower Wednesday.


$tockMarketDirection proprietary model is currently BULLISH. We strongly encourage you to monitor positions closely, exercise proper money management strategies and follow us at $tockMarketDirection for ALERTS we may issue advising a change in the current market direction. Stay tuned and follow us. If you have a testimonial or comment of how this website has helped you we would like to know, email us. Share with a friend.

The all-time highs since our initial recommendation to go LONG this market. Here is how the markets have performed:

Stock Market Direction Recommendation (11/10/2016)
Dow
up 1,158.55 points a 6.16% gain
12/14/16
Nasdaq
up 277.95 points a 5.34% gain
12/13/16
S&P 500
up 110.05 points a 5.08% gain
12/13/16

Related Link: http://www.stockmarket-direction.com/

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