Thursday, December 31, 2015

THURSDAY 12/31/15; EOM; EOQ4; EOY; Russian Ruble Weakens to 74; Chicago PMI; New Year’s Eve; SPX (S&P 500), INDU (Dow Industrials) and RUT (Russell 2000) are Down in 2015 and COMPQ (Nasdaq Composite) Up

Asian indexes begin trading for the last day of the year. Japan and Korea markets are closed until Monday. US futures are mildly positive. S&P +3. Dow +24. Nasdaq +7. Aussie stocks are trading 




















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 police are on high alert warning that a terrorist attack may be imminent. Police focus on two Munich train stations and all of Germany is on edge with midnight only one-half hour away.

At 6 PM EST (12 AM Munich), midnight strikes in Germany as the terror attack warning continues. Happy New Year.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

WEDNESDAY 12/30/15; Puerto Rico Prepares to Default on Bonds

The cascading global stock market rally circles the world and pumps 



















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 ends at 17.29 above the important 200-day MA signaling bearish markets ahead. The complacency indicated by the low put/call ratios creates market selling.

Monday, December 28, 2015

TUESDAY 12/29/15; Treasury Yield Curve Flattens; International Trade; Consumer Confidence; 5-Year Note Auction; Natural Gas Rallies Another +5%; Cascading Global Stock Market Rally

US futures are flat. Euro 1.0977. Dollar/yen 120.27. Pound 1.4891. Aussie dollar 0.7261. Dollar/yuan 6.4873.

Asian indexes begin the Tuesday session 



















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collapses to 0.54 indicating uber complacency. The CPC is down to 0.82. The low put/call ratios signals a lack of fear that stocks will sell off. Traders are relaxed and complacent expecting the rally to continue. Instead, the low put/calls signal that a near-term market top is on tap any day forward and stocks should sell off. The stock market is moving choppy sideways.

Thank You for Your Generosity

Wikipedia, Mozilla and other sites are conducting membership drives so what better time and season to seek funding for those less fortunate than now when everyone is in a good mood. This message is not directed at the regular donors to the K E Stone Blog Series of sites including Keystone the Scribe, Keybot the Quant and The Keystone Speculator, but instead to the thousands of others that have not.

The sites seek to entertain and educate market participants on technical analysis, algorithmic trading and macro economics (remember that you must seek the advice of your financial advisor before making any investment decision). Thousands of international users enjoy the sites daily.

Ridiculously, the traffic to the three blogs increases month after month but the ad revenue from the sites has been cut in one-half over the last few months due to ad-blocking software. The ad blockers are killing the original content creators on the web. The ad revenue from web sites using services such as Google Adsense help deter any costs of a site. Ad blockers, however, are drastically changing the landscape. Original content creators will have to seek other methods of supplementing the losses in revenue from the ad blocking software. Comically, those that block out ads to read the original content in a simpler format may actually end up without having any original content to read.

So if you have some leftover change, press the button in the right margin. The original content posted on the sites will be provided as per the interest received in the sties. A couple other web sites are planned but will not be pursued if the current sites are not supported, especially with the increased use of ad blockers which has drastically changed the game for original content providers.

Food banks are on tough times. In Pennsylvania, USA, the idiot politicians cannot agree on a budget for the last six months and the loss of funding is negatively impacting schools and most importantly the food banks. Do not forget to clear out your pantry and toss the canned goods into a box and drop it off at the local food bank. Also donate any old coats since a child would be happy to have something warm on this winter.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

MONDAY 12/28/15; 2-Year Note Auction; Natural Gas Rallies +8%

Aussie markets are closed today continuing the 
















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 increased buying of puts and increased fear in the markets will create a contrary near-term bottom in stocks and recovery rally beginning at any time ahead.

SUNDAY 12/27/15; China Industrial Profits

China Industrial Profits drop -1.4% year-on-year. Profits at top-tier companies drop -1.9% year-on-year. Although profits are 






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dropping their weapons and running from battle, are finally fighting back (of course with the help of American soldiers operating covertly in the battle).

Friday, December 25, 2015

SATURDAY 12/26/15; Boxing Day; Happy Kwanzaa

Boxing Day is a traditional day when employees, tradesman and servants, that would typically work on Christmas Day, receive a 















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indicate a weak consumer that is worried about the economy and their future and points to a stagnant and sick path ahead for the 2016 economy.

FRIDAY 12/25/15; Christmas Day; US Markets Closed

Japan and China are the only 
















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major terrorism incidents may occur over the next 12 months before he leaves office. If migrants are the culprits, that would destroy his legacy. President Obama is vacationing in Hawaii frolicking along the white beaches and enjoying the sunshine; he refuses to comment on the deportation plans.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

THURSDAY 12/24/15; Christmas Eve; US Markets Close Early

Merry Christmas Eve. Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Philippines are trading 


























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 is the top stock performer up +1320% in 2015 while Anglo American brings up the rear crashing -73% this year.

WEDNESDAY 12/23/15; Durable Goods; Personal Income and Outlays; New Home Sales; Consumer Sentiment; European and US Stocks Rally; Oil Rallies; Steel Sector Protectionism; CALM

Japanese markets are closed for Emperor’s Birthday holiday. In early trading, the 












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put/call ratio remains low at 0.56 indicating rampant complacency in markets and a near-term top in the stock market will likely occur any day forward.

Monday, December 21, 2015

TUESDAY 12/22/15; First Day of Winter; CAG; PAYX; GDP (Gross Domestic Product); Existing Home Sales; MU; NKE

Australian stocks begin the session on a 


























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 not concerned about a market selloff and are not fearful. Full confidence remains in central bankers that they can keep pumping stock markets higher with easy money. The low put/call signals that a near-term top is at hand any day any time forward and a continued rally can likely be shorted.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

MONDAY 12/21/15; Spain Election Uncertainty; WTIC Oil Prints 33-Handle at 11-Year Lows; CTAS; SCS

US futures begin trading higher Sunday evening in the States recovering from the














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CMG slips on a taco stuck to the dirty linoleum floor losing -0.4% in AH’s trading, Chipotle increases the -3.5% loss during the regular session. The drip, drip, drip of negative news about patrons contracting E. coli and other diseases from Chipotle restaurants is going to damage the brand.

SUNDAY 12/20/15; Spain Elections; Brazil Turmoil

An Air France flight en route to Paris quickly lands in Kenya after a 

























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 pushes towards a cash-less society that only uses credit and debit cards since all transactions can be monitored and archived and the Orwellian-government machines can be sustained with tax revenue.

Friday, December 18, 2015

SATURDAY 12/19/15; Super Saturday

SPX 2006. INDU 17129. COMPQ 4923. RUT 1121. DAX 10608. CAC 4625. FTSE 6052. MIB 21242. IBEX 9717. PSI 5278. NIKK 18987. SPASX200 5107. KOSPI 1975. SSEC 3579. HSI 21756. BSE 25519.

Relations between Ukraine and Russia deteriorate further after 





















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mall parking lots are packed with holiday shoppers but local stores and strip mall activity is slightly lighter than expected. Movie theatre parking lots are packed by Star Wars enthusiasts.

FRIDAY 12/18/15; BOJ Policy Decision; Oil and Natural Gas Prices Collapse; Quadruple Witching OpEx; KMX; BBRY; CCL; DRI; LEN; PMI Services; US Stocks Collapse in Two-Day Drubbing

Asian indexes begin trading 





















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running from bond funds. $15.4 billion is pulled from fixed-income funds. $5.1 billion exits the investment-grade bond portfolios. The withdraws are the largest on record.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

THURSDAY 12/17/15; Federal Reserve Rate Hike Aftermath; Cascading Global Stock Market Rally; ACN; GIS; SAFM; Philly Fed Business Outlook; Leading Indicators; US Stocks Collapse; RHT

The US Federal Reserve raised the key rate by 25 bips yesterday up off the 

















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 small caps are smacked 14 points, -1.2%. VIX 18.94. After the closing bell, RHT trades higher on an earnings beat.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

WEDNESDAY 12/16/15; Asia Stocks Rally; European and US PMI’s; JOY; Housing Starts; Industrial Production; US 2-Year Yield Tags 1.00%; FOMC Two-Day Meeting Ends with Historic Rate Decision, Fed Forecasts and Chair Yellen Press Conference; ZIRP Ends; Fed Hikes 25 Bips; US Stocks Rally; FDX; MLHR; PIR; JBL; ORCL

Trading in Asia is underway with green screens across the 











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 IMF did not want the Fed to raise rates but releases a statement in general support of the FOMC’s decision. The IMF says the Federal Rate hike is reflective of a strong US economy. The IMF says the Fed expects to reach its +2% inflation goal.

Monday, December 14, 2015

TUESDAY 12/15/15; European Stocks Rally; CPI (Consumer Price Index); Empire State Mfg Survey; FOMC Meeting Begins; US Stocks Rally; Natural Gas Crashes -11% in 2 Days

S&P +5. Dow +43. Nasdaq +10. The SPASX200 is up +0.5% so Aussie stocks are 

















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 a 15 bip cut instead of 25 bip as presented above. If Yellen hikes by 25 bips and says every meeting remains on the table for a hike, this would be viewed as hawkish.

In the evening, a republican presidential debate occurs. Trump, Cruz and Rubio are the front runners.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

MONDAY 12/14/15; Natty Gas Crash -6%; Asia Stocks Selloff; Japan Tankan; NIKK Under 19K; Aussie ASX200 Under 5K; WTIC Oil Under 35; Brent Oil Under 37; High-Yield Funds Failing; SPX Stabs 2K; European Stocks Crumble; Oil Stages Recovery; US Stocks Rally; PAY

Euro 1.0977. USD 97.68. Dollar/yen 121.07. Pound 1.5193. WTIC oil 35.62. Brent oil 37.93. Natural gas 1.99. Gold 1076. Silver 13.88. Copper 2.12.

US Treasury yields are; 2-year 0.88%, 






















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 climb during the day. The 2-10 spread steepens a touch to 128 bips. German bund 0.565%. Japan 10-year yield 0.30%.

SUNDAY 12/13/15; France Elections

Nissan recalls 34K of its 










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 is handed a loss in Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie, northern France, her home region. The conservative center-right wins the majority of votes but share the limelight with the Socialists.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

SATURDAY 12/12/15; China Economic Data; Climate Change Agreement

SPX 2012. INDU 17265. COMPQ 4933. RUT 1124. DAX 10340. CAC 4550. FTSE 5953. MIB 21015. IBEX 9631. PSI 5086. NIKK 19230. SPASX200 5029. KOSPI 1949. SSEC 3435. HSI 21464. BSE 25044.

Euro 1.0982. Dollar/yen 120.86. Pound 1.5215. USD 97.58. WTIC crude oil 35.36. Brent crude oil 37.93. Natural gas 1.98.

US Treasury yields are; 2-year 0.88%, 5-year 1.56%, 10-year 2.13%, 30-year 2.88%. The 2-10 spread is 125 basis points reflecting a flattening yield curve. The 5-30 spread is 132 bips. German bund 0.536%. The US-German 10-year yield spread is 159 bips. Japan 10-year yield 0.315%.

China Factory Output is up 


















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 stock market is currently -6% off its intra-year top so anyone that went long the market over the last 12 months is underwater.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

FRIDAY 12/11/15; Russian Ruble Imploding at 70; PPI (Producer Price Index); Retail Sales; Business Inventories; Consumer Sentiment; WTIC Oil Under 36; Forex in Play; US and European Stocks Selloff; COMPQ Under 5K

The Aussie SPASX200 index is down 





















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 the common citizen that is always left holding the bag. LLY drops -0.6% in late trading. MRK and PFE trade lower in sympathy since all pharmaceutical companies will expect more scrutiny from politicians over high drug prices.

S&P rating agency downgrades Men’s Warehouse, MW, to B from B+. MW is up +0.9% in AH’s trading retracing the -3.1% loss during the regular session.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

THURSDAY 12/10/15; BOE Rate Decision; CIEN; 30-Year Bond Auction; ADBE; RH; Natural Gas Under 2.00

The NIKK and SPASX200 begin the session trading lower while the KOSPI is 














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demand maintains flat to lower natty gas prices. Heavy industries, such as aluminum smelters and fertilizer plants, are big users of natural gas so less demand verifies an economic slowdown.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

WEDNESDAY 12/9/15; China CPI and PPI; DD and DOW Mega Chemical Deal; COST; LULU; VRA; Wholesale Trade; 10-Year Note Auction; US Stocks Whipsaw Lower; Euro Above 1.10; MW; PBY

Australia’s ASX 200 begins down -0.6% so the cascading global selloff continues 



















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 as stock buyback programs hit record highs. Company executives are goosing their stock prices higher with financial engineering while at the same time sneaking out the back door.