Since the recession ended in mid-2009, U.S. corporate profits have jumped by about 43% to a record $1.45 trillion as of the first quarter, after taxes, inventory and accounting adjustments, according to the Commerce Department.
What hasn’t recovered, however, is economic growth. Indeed, in real terms, gross domestic product hasn’t even returned to its pre-recession peak.
via Ahead of the Tape: More Liquidity Only Douses Growth Sparks – WSJ.com.
The Candian Loonie is consolidating in a narrow band above parity, warning of selling pressure. Earlier penetration of the long-term rising trendline indicates the up-trend has weakened. Breach of support would confirm a primary down-trend, with an initial target of $0.94 against the greenback.
* Target calculation: 1.00 – ( 1.06 – 1.00 ) = 0.94
Equity funds had estimated inflows of $1.48 billion for the week, compared to estimated outflows of $30.01 billion in the previous week.
via $1.1B Comes Back into Mutual Funds Investing in U.S. Stocks.
In the week ending August 10, $40.3 billion was pulled out of long-term mutual funds of all types, the Investment Company Institute reported.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied Tuesday on fairly light volume. Expect resistance at 11500. This is a bear market, with reactions to good news likely to be short — and declines from bad news severe. Target for the next decline is 10000*.
* Target calculation: 11000 – ( 12000 – 11000 ) = 10000
Canada’s TSX 60 Index is falling sharply, headed for medium-term support at 665, but long-term support at 650 is just below. Breakout below 650 would warn of another down-swing, with a target of 580*.
* Target calculation: 650 – ( 720 – 650 ) = 580
The Nasdaq 100 broke support at 2050, warning of a down-swing to 1900*. Follow-through below last week’s low of 2040 would confirm. The latest peak on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow, barely breaking the zero line, indicates strong medium-term selling pressure.
* Target calculation: 2050 – ( 2200 – 2050 ) = 1900
The Dow is headed for a similar test: follow-through below 10600 would confirm a down-swing to 9600*. Higher volumes indicate the presence of buyers and failure of support would prove seller’s dominance.
* Target calculation: 10800 – ( 12000 – 10800 ) = 9600
The S&P 500 is testing support at 1100 on the weekly chart. Failure would signal a test of 1000. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of further selling pressure.
* Target calculation: 1125 – ( 1250 – 1125 ) = 1000
Total estimated outflows from long-term mutual funds were $40.29 billion for the week ended Wednesday, August 10, the Investment Company Institute reported today.
Many are in shock that the S&P downgraded debt of the US from AAA. Not me. It was long overdue.
However, the S&P proved it was incompetent in the way it made the downgrade. Pray tell how can a rating agency make a $2 trillion error? The answer is obvious: sheer incompetence.
The irony is Moody’s and Fitch proved they are incompetent by not downgrading U.S. debt.
via In Praise of Timely, Blatant Incompetence | Mike Shedlock | Safehaven.com.
The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has fallen to its lowest level on records dating to 1971. The rate on the most popular mortgage dipped to 4.15 percent from 4.32 percent a week ago, Freddie Mac said Thursday. Its previous low of 4.17 percent was reached in November.
The last time long-term rates were lower was in the 1950s, when 30-year loans weren’t widely available. Most long-term home loans lasted 20 or 25 years.
