Weekly Market Update

TradeTheNews.com TradeTheNews.com Weekly Market Update: Autumn Rally Vanishes
Fri, 13 Nov 2015 16:16 PM EST

US equities broke a six-week winning streak as global economic weakness finally caught up with the autumn rally. After last Friday's big October US jobs report, the reality of Fed rate hikes in December is starting to sink in, but at the same time, the US economic data out this week suggested that the US is hardly a bastion of strength even compared to the anemic global economy. Chinese October economic data was looking pretty poor, and a raft of European preliminary third-quarter GDP numbers were flat or up tenths of a percent. Commodity prices remained under pressure, with markets watching WTI crude move ever closer to $40/bbl. For the week, the DJIA fell 3.7%, the S&P500 lost 3.6% and the Nasdaq swooned 4.3%.

Press reports out this week indicated that the ECB Council was coming to a consensus that interest rates should be cut deeper into negative territory to support the flagging European recovery. The thinking appears to be that a dominant faction on the council wants to see a steeper cut to the deposit rate than current expectations for a ten basis point reduction. Expectations were high for President Draghi's speech on Thursday, however Super Mario merely reiterated his standing positions that QE will run beyond Sept 2016, if needed, and that the ECB is not short of instruments to achieve price stability. Most of Europe reported anemic preliminary third-quarter GDP numbers on Friday, further highlighting the dim prospects for the continent and handing the ECB doves the ammunition they were looking for. EUR/USD was mostly constrained within the 1.0700-1.0800 range for the week, retesting April lows.

The September JOLTS report gives the Fed even more evidence the US economy at or very near to full employment. The JOLTS survey beat expectations, rising to 5.53M and moving it back toward the record high of 5.735M in July. Analysts note that the quits rate has been stalled at 1.9% for the last six surveys, since the April report, arguing the reluctance of workers to quit and seek other (presumably better) jobs shows the labor market is still not entirely healed. Meanwhile, the weekly jobless claims report showed initial claims steady at recent 15-year lows.

October economic data out of Beijing further cemented the belief that the PBoC and the Chinese State Council would be forced to open the door to even more policy easing. China's October trade balance saw the highest surplus on record since 1995, however both exports and imports saw steep declines: Exports fell nearly 7%, the fourth month of decline, while imports fell an eye watering -19%. October CPI slowed to a six-month low of 1.3%. October industrial output slowed to a 7-month low, missing expectations, while urban asset investment hit new multi-year low. Meanwhile, China Securities regulator CSRC provided some stimulus of its own for Chinese equities, saying it was confident in its ability to reopen the China IPO market by the end of 2015 after a four-month suspension due to stability in financial markets.

Crude futures ended the week not far from their late August lows after an eight-session meltdown. WTI cratered came within pennies of $40 and Brent dipped to $44.50. The weekly inventory reports turned in another round of huge builds. Both Russia and Saudi Arabia reiterated their long-standing opposition to cutting production in order to support prices, strongly suggesting that chances of any sort of deal to trim production at the upcoming OPEC meeting is dead. In its monthly report, the IEA forecasted a 2016 slowdown in global demand. However, the strengthening USD and poor economic data reports out of China and Europe are likely the biggest factors behind crude's dramatic retest of its lows.

Alibaba provided 24 hours of running commentary on its big 'Singles Day' sales event, although investors were not impressed. Jack Ma shared that the total value of goods sold at the event was $14.3B, a 60% increase over the year ago total. Ma claimed the positive numbers were not just a good indicator for Alibaba, but also for China's shift to consumer-driven economy. Shares of BABA lost about 10% on the week, mostly reflecting the weaker data out of Beijing. Meanwhile, Amazon continued to notch all-time highs around $675, driven higher by positive analyst commentary.

Three major US retailers suffered double-digit percentage declines this week after reporting third-quarter results. The Gap lost over 10% on the week after warning investors in a preliminary report that it would miss expectations for the quarter on -3% comps. Macys shares cratered after it missed widely on revenue and cut its FY15, on -3.6% same store sales. In addition, Macys disclosed it would not pursue a REIT transaction to extract value from its real estate holdings, citing the many costs associated with the structure. Nordstrom lost nearly 17% on Friday after missing top- and bottom-line expectations and also cutting its FY15 guidance. JC Penny and Kohl's both beat expectations and turned in positive sales comps in the quarter, however shares of both firms have been dragged much lower by their competitors' failures.

Tech was not immune to earnings weakness either. Cisco reported quarterly results that were better than expected but shares sold off on weak guidance.

Homebuilders DR Horton and Beazer Homes reported strong fourth-quarter results. DR Horton's profits rose nearly 45% y/y and revenue gained 27% y/y, although the firm only just met expectations. Beazer's y/y gains in profits and revenue were considerably less, but still pretty positive. However, Beazer's new orders rate flat-lined in the quarter, while DR Horton continues to see double-digit gains.

In M&A news, AB InBev has formally launched its $100 billion-plus offer for SABMiller and agreed to sell the latter's stake in MillerCoors to help win regulatory approval. The deal would be one of the largest mergers in history, worth about £70 billion or $106 billion. Mylan failed in its bid to acquire Perrigo, falling short of the 50% threshold in its unsolicited tender offer. Troubled natural gas producer Apache Corp received and rejected an unsolicited takeover approach from Anadarko. Press reports also said that Syngenta was back on the block, having received and rejected a preliminary offer from ChemChina.

Barrons Saturday summary

Barrons Saturday summary Barrons Saturday summary: positive on GM, PAH, HPQ; cautious on NUS 

Cover story: For people facing retirement, long-term care "is the elephant in the room than can upend an otherwise meticulously crafted retirement plan"; Story delves into the pros and cons of aging at home, one-stop senior living facilities, and assisted living facilities.

 Features:
1) Positive on GM: The automaker continues to boost profitability; the recent 2% boost in shares simply corrects an undeserved midyear selloff; shares could hit $48, or eight times earnings, for a return of about 40%, including the dividend yield of nearly 5%;
2) Cautious on NUS: Company's charitable program to provide VitaMeals to kids in poor nations brings some risk and poses a number of questions for investors;
3) Positive on PAH: Shares have fallen 60% over concerns about leveraged options, but chief executive and founder Martin Franklin has an strong track record of making roll-ups work, and the stock could see a rebound;
4) Positive on HPQ: Printer and PC half of newly split Hewlett-Packard should be able to maintain the profitability of its leading businesses despite volume declines, and return money to shareholders via buybacks and dividends;
5) A look at picks from the investors who attended the Invest for Kids conference in Chicago (HZNP, CPN, GMCR, ZNGA, GSK, BIDU, RBS, CF, EROS, crude oil, commercial and foreign real estate, Manhattan real estate, junk debt).

Tech Trader: Tech startups are increasingly taking their time going public, creating a growing divide between public and private technology investors; "Popular private start-ups continue to attract cash at higher valuations, but the public has all but turned its back on them"; Underwriters are facing some pushback over valuations during the roadshows that occur between IPO filings and final pricing.

Trader: "The market assessment of the probability of a rate hike has increased markedly since the last FOMC meeting," says J.J. Kinahan of AMTD; Positive on MCD: Howard Penney of Hedgeye Risk says the fast-food chain is successfully managing a turnaround that should continue and send shares up; VRX: A further drop in the pharma company's share price "could have an unpleasant spillover effect on the entire market."

Follow-Up: NSC: Shares have taken a hit because of falling oil prices, but the company has been restructuring, furloughing crews, and taking locomotives out of service, and shares could see 18% upside; RL: With incoming chief Stefan Larsson about to take the reins, investors should hold on to shares, which could have 15% upside, not counting the 1.5% dividend yield; ATVI: The KING acquisition will make the company a leader in the fast-growing casual-gaming segment and give it access to King's $900M cash flow on reasonable terms.

 Profile: Gary Miller of the Victory Sycamore Established Value fund says a selling discipline is as important as the buying process (top 10 holdings: UNM, DG, XYL, CFG, Y, DDR, STI, XRAY, ATO, XEL).

 European Trader: Armundi: "Europe's biggest asset manager could reward investors with quick profits when its shares begin trading in Paris next week."

Asian Trader: A look at how to beat the MSCI Emerging Markets index, more than two-thirds of which consists of Asian stocks (long on Samsung Electronics, TSM, Tencent Holdings; short China Mobile; avoid China Construction Bank, ICBC, and Bank of China).

Emerging Markets: With presidential elections on the horizon in Argentina, the country's stocks and bonds are already rallying on prospects for fiscal and monetary reform.

Commodities: "Big cuts in copper production may have given prices a bump, but any gains will be fleeting until demand returns."

Streetwise: An interest-rate hike will allow banks to earn more money on loans and realize better returns on their investments, boosting earnings--but new regulations could lessen the effect.

Robust Labor Report Fuels Fed Liftoff Expectations

TradeTheNews.com Weekly Market Update: Robust Labor Report Fuels Fed Liftoff Expectations
Fri, 06 Nov 2015 16:08 PM EST

US equities eked out their sixth week of gains as the October jobs report outperformed and earnings season entered the home stretch. After the anemic Q3 GDP report and September's weak job growth, there were real concerns the Fed would not be able to deliver an initial rate hike this year. The October jobs report dispelled the notion. In Europe, there were real concerns about the very weak September German industrial production report, while in China PMI numbers remained pretty poor. By Friday the US Dollar Index reached a new 7-month high, and the benchmark 10-year yield backed up 18 basis points to surpass 2.3% for the first time since July. For the week, the DJIA gained 1.4%, the S&P500 gained 1% and the Nasdaq advanced 1.8%.

A month ago, the September US jobs report was a big bust, with the low headline nonfarm number and significant revision lower to the August payrolls figure raising real questions about the state of the US economy, not to mention the viability of Fed pledges for a 2015 rate liftoff. Friday's October jobs report reversed sentiment about the US jobs market. The nonfarm figure absolutely crushed expectations (+271K v 185Ke) and pulled the three-month nonfarm average to +187K, which is just modestly below the +206K average for the year to date. The annualized unemployment rate fell to 5.0% (the lowest level since May 2008) from 5.1% in September, while underemployment dropped below 10% for the first time since 2008. Meanwhile, the civilian labor force participation rate remains stuck at 62.4%.

The case for a December Fed rate hike looks pretty strong after the October jobs report. Fed fund futures had been gradually creeping up heading into the data, and in the aftermath of the NFP report the contract showed traders believe there is a 70% chance of a 25 basis point hike at the December FOMC meeting. In speeches this week, Chair Yellen said December was a live meeting and Vice Chair Fischer more or less dismissed the argument that inflation was too low to begin raising rates. Moderate FOMC voter Lockhart made the case for rate hikes, while hawk Bullard started talking about the debate that would surround the second round of rate hikes. Even the dove Evans all but made the case for a hike in a CNBC interview after the jobs data, saying conditions "could be ripe" for a rate increase and that he goes into each meeting with an open mind.

Bank of England rate hike expectations are headed in the opposite direction. UK treasury yields tumbled after the BoE signaled in its quarterly inflation report that it would delay raising interest rates due to a more cautious outlook on inflation and growth. Analysts suggested that the details of the inflation report mean the BoE had delayed rate hikes by as much as 10 to 12 months, to late 2016. The minutes for the previous BoE policy meeting came out at the same time, and confirmed that McCafferty was the only MPC member to vote for a rise in interest rates. The 10-year benchmark gilt yield lost as much as five bps to trade 1.967% on Thursday, however the yield was back up as high as 2.049% on Friday after the jobs report.

PMI data out of China last weekend showed little improvement, with two key measures seeing their eighth month of contraction. The official October manufacturing PMI missed expectations for breakeven, remaining on par with last month at 49.8, while the official Services PMI hit a three-year low of 53.1. The SME-oriented Caixin final September manufacturing PMI remained in contraction as well, although it continues to creep a bit closer to growth. China Premier Li again stepped away from the 7% GDP target, mentioning at least twice that the potential for 6.5% annual GDP growth through 2020 would help China accomplish its economic agenda.

After dropping to around $42 last week, front-month WTI crude futures marched higher to retake the $48 handle on Tuesday and Wednesday. The strength couldn't last after both the API and DoE crude inventories turned in another week of sizable builds. Then an unnamed OPEC official was said to have commented there would be no deal to cut the cartel's production at the meeting in December, assuming non-OPEC countries do not move to cut their own production. Finally, on Friday President Obama said the government would reject the Keystone XL pipeline, citing a preference for clean energy efforts and projecting the pipeline would not have generated much economic growth. WTI closed out the week around $44.30 and Brent ended up back around $47.

Valeant's shares fell below the lows seen in October when details of the Philidor pricing scandal were leaked out. VRX plummeted 16% on Thursday and dipped below $80 a share for the first time in more than two years after the WSJ chronicled investor Bill Ackman's response to the fallout over the last few weeks. The WSJ piece suggested Ackman wavered in his support of Valeant CEO Pearson, though he later issued a statement in support of Pearson, as did the Valeant board. The biotech wreckage spread to other names as they released new data this week. Bluebird Bio shares tanked after analysts were unimpressed with new abstracts for its experimental sickle cell disease treatment, and Incyte shares were tripped up on Friday upon release of some early stage cancer data that might indicate limited uses for a new cancer drug under development.

Tech darlings Facebook and Tesla surged after their third-quarter earnings reports, and Facebook shares moved to a new all-time high above $110/share. Facebook's top- and bottom-line results exceeded targets, while both monthly and daily active users rose by double digits. A horde of analysts upgraded price targets on the name and made very positive comments. Shares of Tesla sustained double digit percentage gains after earnings, even though top- and bottom-line results merely met expectations. Investors were heartened by projected Q4 deliveries at a better than expected at 17-19K, although the company slightly narrowed its FY deliveries guidance to 50-52K. On its call, the firm said it aspired to be cash flow positive by the first quarter of 2016. Regarding the new Model X, Tesla said it would achieve steady state production capacity during the first quarter of 2016.

Media names were under pressure after reporting third-quarter results. Time Warner saw strong earnings, while 21st Century Fox missed revenue targets. CBS did quite well, and Disney saw revenue growth across its main business lines. However, it was Time Warner that upset the space, offering a surprise initial FY16 earnings forecast on the company's conference call that was well below expectations. Multiple analysts cut their outlooks on Time Warner, and shares of the name lost around 9% on the week.

The two successor companies of Hewlett-Packard began trading on Monday morning. Shares of HP, Inc. are trading under the old HPQ ticker, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise is trading under ticker HPE on the NYSE. HP, Inc. will focus on personal computers and printers, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise will sell commercial computers systems, software and tech services.

In M&A news, Visa reached a deal to acquire former subsidiary Visa Europe for €16.5 billion ($18.2 billion) in cash and stock, with the potential for an additional payment of up to €4.7 billion. Shire said it would buy Dyax for about $5.9 billion, or $37.30/share, representing a 35.5% premium to Dyax's closing stock price on Friday. Dyax shareholders may also get an additional contingent value right worth $4.00/share if Dyax's DX-2930 drug is approved. AstraZenica snapped up ZS Pharma for $90/share in cash, for a total deal valued around $2.7 billion. Youku Tudou, the so-called YouTube of China, agreed to be acquired by Alibaba for $27.60/ADS in an all cash deal valuing the firm around $4.4 billion. Alibaba already owned one-fifth of the firm.

November-December 2015 Outlook: Trick or Treat

TradeTheNews.com November-December 2015 Outlook: Trick or Treat
Mon, 02 Nov 2015 13:29 PM EST

The last couple of months have been a wild ride for the markets. A summertime scare triggered by the Chinese stock market meltdown sent global equity markets into corrections of 10% or more but they have since erased most of those losses. 10-year treasuries have started to percolate above a 2.00% yield as the Fed creeps closer to a rate hike. The dollar index has zigzagged several times in recent months but is now trying to push higher, though not to the extent of the much-touted prospect of euro parity. Energy prices have resumed a downward trajectory, keeping pressure on weak inflation readings.

Reviewing the last couple of months, like a kid going through the spoils after a long night of trick-or-treating, our baseline expectations were well satisfied with a few surprises tossed in the bag. As expected, worries about Chinese stock market gyrations subsided, though commodity-driven emerging markets are still hurting from China's shift toward a slower growth domestic consumption economy. That has contributed to the weak commodity environment persisting, as predicted, keeping inflation pinned at low levels in the advanced economies and driving the ECB toward more intervention. Some of the political landmines of the last few months were diffused, most surprisingly the debt ceiling debate in Washington (a two year deal that shows Congress is perhaps ready to stop toilet-papering its own House and get down to a serious legislative agenda). Others could still blow up: Brazil's President is still under the cloud of a potential impeachment, and Spanish elections in December could create ripples for Europe.

For the next couple of months markets will be more focused on central bank activity than ever. Expectations are that the ECB will reach back into its goody bag to dole out additional stimulus. China's PBoC and the Bank of Japan may also be handing out more treats. By contrast, the Fed is contemplating withdrawing some accommodation, and many market watchers may feel it's a dirty trick if Fed doesn't raise rates in December. All of these decisions will be tied to data on growth and especially inflation. Central bankers continue to insist that low inflation is linked to transitory factors, but there is a growing sense they may be whistling past the graveyard and feeling more nervous about the issue underneath their masks of cool assuredness.

Rate Liftoff Haunts Markets

After what many Fed members described as a "close call" to keep rates on hold in September, they stood pat in October but withdrew stated concerns about global economic developments restraining growth. The October statement also specifically referenced the next meeting in December as a moment for the Fed to make a choice about rate policy. Though the Fed is always data dependent, this shift in the latest statement, along with recent comments from Chair Yellen and other key committee members that they still forecast a rate hike this year, give a strong indication that the cycle could begin at the December 16 meeting. This view is also supported by the minutes of the September Discount Rate meeting which showed that for the first time a majority of the Fed regional bank boards urged an increase in the discount rate (8 of 12 sought an increase, up from 5 at the prior meeting).

The decision to lean more hawkish at the October meeting but not to pull the trigger on rates gave Yellen's team another six weeks of data to observe before they render their final decision of the year. Among that data are two more non-farm payrolls reports (November 6 and December 4). The Chairwoman will have a good sense of this fresh jobs data by the time she testifies before Congress on December 3, so she may use that platform to present a firmer opinion about the timing of rate liftoff.

Should the Fed take the plunge in December, Yellen will make every effort to put a positive spin on the decision. It will be touted as a show of confidence in the strength of the economic recovery, and be seen as a positive development for savers and for banks that have suffered under the low interest regime. The Fed will also stress that the new neutral rate is much lower than it has been historically and that this tightening cycle will be shallower than in the past and will not be "mechanical" (i.e. not one hike per meeting).

Even senior IMF officials, who have been urging the Fed to postpone liftoff to 2016, recently admitted that a rate hike would not be "cataclysmic." In addition, a Fed decision to move forward could make the path easier for the Bank of England follow suit early next year. For the last several months Governor Carney has stated that the decision to raise interest rates will come into sharper focus around the end of this year. That makes it reasonable to assume that the December 10 BOE meeting could lay out a clearer timeframe for rate liftoff in the UK.

PREDICTIONS: As has often been the case in the post-financial crisis era, the Fed is again facing a communication problem. It would not be a shock if the FOMC decides to raise rates at the December meeting, but it might still be considered a "surprise," given that fed fund futures are still forecasting a less than 50% chance of a hike at that meeting.

On the other hand, if the committee decides to hold off yet again, it could further erode confidence in Fed's forecasting abilities, since they have been indicating for most of 2015 that rate liftoff would occur in the second half of the year. A no-go in December would also fuel theories that the Fed suspects that 'something wicked this way comes.'

Unless another black cat crosses the Fed's path, the likely outcome appears to be a December liftoff. After a brief interlude of spotlighting foreign developments, the Fed can focus back on domestic data to come to its decision. A mixed bag of Q3 earnings reports from multinationals will be weighed on by continued weakness at the energy majors, but should not be bad enough to deter Fed action. A rate hike decision could be supported by two more solid jobs reports and early Q4 GDP indicators that show better growth than Q3's tepid result. The data should make this decision clearer by early December, and when it sinks in the markets may be hit with another "freak out" moment. That panic attack should be brief, however, on the realization that a second rate hike is not imminent (Janet Yellen is not going to peel off a mask to reveal Paul Volcker underneath).

ECB Handing Out More Candy

In the eventuality of a Fed rate hike (perhaps followed closely by a BOE move), other central banks could ease the blow by increasing their accommodation. Central bankers have already injected over $8 trillion into the global economy since the start of the financial crisis, but even more may be on the way.

Even though the ECB's massive is quantitative easing program is less than halfway completed, President Draghi appears to be drawing up plans to offer up more treats for the markets. In his latest press conference Draghi announced that the "degree of monetary policy accommodation will need to re-examined" in December, when new economic projections will be available. He said that while the domestic recovery is showing resilience, external demand from emerging markets is weakening, creating downside risks to inflation and economic growth exacerbated by continued weak commodity prices.

Draghi further extended his dovish commentary by revealing that additional rate cuts are one of the options available, a shift from prior rhetoric that had declared rates are at their lower bound. He made it clear that the choice of instrument has not yet been made from a whole menu of options, but that for the first time a lower deposit rate was among the choices.

The ECB's decision to do more will be complicated by the Fed's path toward withdrawing accommodation. Nearly simultaneous moves in opposite direction are bound to put some stresses on global markets, especially currencies. More talk of the euro-dollar parity is certain to arise in the weeks ahead. Furthermore, any action by the ECB could force the hand of other closely linked central banks, like the Swiss National Bank, which had to abandon its currency peg in January because of forex pressures created by ECB programs.

PREDICTIONS: The ECB has given every indication that more accommodation is on the way. It could come in the form of negative rates, an affirmative extension of the QE program, or some new innovation in monetary policy.

For central bankers, negative rates are still largely experimental, though a few smaller economies have already implemented them during this economic cycle. But at this point, negative rates for an economy the size of the Euro Zone probably has too much of a mad scientist feel to it to throw that switch, not to mention that it would further compress already pan-caked fixed income rates in Europe.

The safest route for Draghi's team would be to expand the QE program, a move that many analysts have been expecting for months, rather than throwing together a witch's brew of new policy measures. If the ECB's choice is to modify the QE program, expectations are that it will be a timeline expansion past the current presumed end date of September 2016, rather than any increase in size of the 60 billion euro per month in bond purchases, which could create an uncomfortable scarcity in certain bond categories. The mere discussion of other options like a negative deposit rate can be held up as evidence that the ECB is serious and prepared to do more in 2016 if deflation starts to take hold.

Treats from the Orient

Like many other central banks in developed economies, the Bank of Japan has struggled to gain traction toward a 2% inflation target despite three years of its own version of QE. Similar to its peers the BOJ has blamed much of the difficultly in achieving the inflation target on transitory weakness in commodity prices. That slow progress has prompted many analysts to call for the BOJ to further boost its 80 trillion yen per year expansion in the monetary base (after its last expansion in October 2014).

Apparently the economic data ahead of the October meeting was good enough that BOJ opted against this move. Instead the central bank pushed back the goal for reaching its inflation target to the second half of next year from the first half.

Still, with the ECB and PBoC moving toward adding stimulus, the BOJ may not be far behind. That decision will lie with the incoming data. Japanese consumer prices excluding fresh food fell 0.1% in both August and September, dipping below zero for the first time since early 2013 (though ex-food & energy readings have been substantially higher). More numbers like this could mean the witching hour is approaching for Japan and could certainly justify new action by the BOJ.

China's central bank has bumped up its stimulus several times this year. Its latest move was to cut key rates just ahead of the Communist Party plenum, a gather of top party officials to craft a new long-term policy agenda.

The plenum set a target of "medium-high" economic growth over the next five years, while a senior PBoC official declared that 6-7% growth remains achievable over that timeframe, though they would not "defend that target to the death." The plenum seemed to put more emphasis on social issues, such as easing the nation's one child policy and beefing up spending on poverty, education, environmental and healthcare programs.

China could get an external boost from an upcoming IMF decision on expanding its currency basket (November 4). All indications are that the IMF is ready to declare that the Chinese currency has matured enough to be added to its Special Drawing Rights after being denied inclusion during the last SDR review five years ago. Reports say the IMF has been sending Beijing encouraging signals about the decision, and even China's surprise currency devaluation in August, which dealt a brief shock to global markets, was praised by the IMF as a positive move toward normalizing the yuan.

Inclusion in the SDR would be a point of prestige, essentially recognizing the yuan as an international reserve currency. It would acknowledge China as meeting two key criteria: the nation's importance to global trade and the currency being "freely usable." China obviously meets the first test, but there may be some reservations about the second given the country's extensive capital controls. The IMF has said, however, that "freely usable" does not necessitate the currency being "fully convertible." By that standard the growing use of the yuan in bank reserves and international transactions should be enough to meet muster.

PREDICTIONS: If the BOJ joins in the new stimulus pageant, a likely scenario would be ramping up purchases of government bonds and other assets to 100 trillion yen a year from the current 80 trillion. Governor Kuroda said earlier this year that "many options" are available for more monetary policy action, so he could put forth a more creative option as well. In any case, more stimulus will translate into a weaker yen after it has been pinned close to 120 to the dollar for the last two months.

In China, the lack of more specific growth targets out of the Plenum seems to indicate that Beijing is willing to sacrifice some growth in favor of its continued reform agenda, which may benefit the country in the long run but could spook economists in the short term. However, despite some discomfort in the Chinese stock market, the consumer market remains fairly healthy. A hard landing for China remains a possibility, but seems a low probability at this point. Policy-makers in Beijing appear content with incremental and targeted stimulus efforts. One future example of this could be to follow through on promised assistance for the reeling Macau casino business.

An endorsement from IMF this month could result in the yuan being included in the SDR as soon as next year. This stamp of approval should lead to even wider use of the yuan for transactions and as a reserve currency and will encourage Beijing to continue on its reform path.

Inflated Ghost Stories

Normal healthy inflation has been absent in developed economies for so long it almost feels like it exists only as a fantastical ghost story told by central bankers. But since returning to inflation targets is at the heart of most central bank policies these days, it's a tale worth listening to.

By most accounts, the bogeyman in the story is the plunge in energy prices. Cheaper oil over the last year has failed to engender the pickup in economic activity that many economists had predicted, and it has laid waste to inflation forecasts across the globe.

Since Saudi Arabia threw off the mantle of swing-producer in favor of maintaining its market share, US oil firms have scrambled to shutter unprofitable wells. After a year of this, US production is at a 12 month low, but the remaining oil rigs are extremely productive and efficient. A couple of brief WTI rallies have been attributed to the ever shrinking North American rig count, but oil prices have not been able to make a sustained move out of the mid-$40's range.

The semi-annual OPEC ministers summit (December 4) would be an opportunity for oil producers to address the oversupply in the market, but it does not appear that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies want to take action at this time. The Saudis have shot down the idea of a meeting with non-OPEC producers ahead of the December gathering, indicating they are not ready to relent in putting market share over market price.

Other factors could exert additional forces on the oil market soon. Western sanctions against Iran could be lifted as early as next spring, which will soon flood the market with up to a million barrels per day of additional oil, presuming the Iranians don't violate any provisions of the nuclear accord. The growing US military presence in Syria also poses a risk of an unfortunate incident with Iranian or Russian military forces backing the Assad regime.

A bill to end a 40-year old ban on crude oil exports from the US, enacted during the Arab oil embargo, is moving through Congress. If the export ban is reversed it would force some rapid recalculations in the energy markets and likely narrow the spread between WTI and Brent crude prices. President Obama has issued a veto threat for a version of the bill that has already passed in the House, but the issue could be used a bargaining chip for the White House to get more clean energy funding.

PREDICTION: Oil prices will not be resurgent any time soon: supply remains elevated, storage facilities are awash in excess, and demand is only growing slowly. Producers may have to wait another year before global imbalances resolve themselves, hopefully on the back of a stronger economy.

In the meantime, market watchers may get tired of central bankers calling the phenomenon "transitory." Persistent low inflation will force at least some central banks to hand out more goodies to the market.


CALENDAR

NOVEMBER
1: China Caixin Manufacturing & Services PMI; Turkey Parliamentary Elections
2: UK Manufacturing PMI, US ISM Manufacturing PMI
3: US Factor Orders
4: US Trade Balance; US ISM Non-manufacturing PMI; IMF SDR review; BOJ Minutes
5: German Factory Orders; BOE policy statement & inflation report
6: US Payrolls & Unemployment

9: China CPI & PPI
10: China Trade Balance (tentative)
11: China Industrial Production; UK Claimant Count & Unemployment
12: US JOLTS Job Openings
13: Euro Zone Flash Q3 GDP; US Advance Retail Sales; US PPI; US Preliminary University of Michigan Confidence

15: Japan Preliminary Q3 GDP
16: Euro Zone Final CPI
17: UK CPI & PPI; German Zew Economic Sentiment; US CPI; US Industrial Production
18: US Housing Starts & Building Permits; FOMC Minutes; BOJ Policy Statement (tentative)
19: ECB Minutes; US Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook
20: Euro Zone Flash Manufacturing PMI

23: US Existing Home Sales
24: German Ifo Business Climate; US Advance Q3 GDP; US Consumer Confidence; BOJ Minutes
25: US Durable Goods Orders; US Personal Income & Spending; US New Home Sales; Japan Retail Sales
26: German Preliminary CPI; Tokyo CPI
27: UK Q3 GDP second estimate

30: Chicago PMI; China Manufacturing & Non-manufacturing PMIs; China Caixin Manufacturing PMI
DECEMBER
1: UK Manufacturing PMI; Euro Zone Unemployment; US ISM Manufacturing PMI
2: Euro Zone Flash CPI estimate
3: ECB Policy Statement and Press Conference; US ISM Non-manufacturing PMI; US Factory Orders; Fed Chair Yellen's Congressional testimony
4: German Factory Orders; US Payrolls & Unemployment; OPEC ordinary meeting


7: Japan Final Q3 GDP
8: China Trade Balance (tentative); UK Manufacturing Production; US JOLTS Job Openings; China CPI & PPI
9:
10: BOE Policy Statement
11: China Industrial Production; US Advance Retail Sales; Preliminary University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment

14:
15: German Zew Economic Sentiment; US CPI
16: UK Claimant Count & Unemployment; US Housing Starts & Building Permits; US Industrial Production; FOMC policy statement & press conf
17: German Ifo Business Climate; US Advance Retail Sales; Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index
18: BOJ policy statement (tentative)

20: Spain national election
21:
22: Euro Zone Flash PMI; US Final Q3 GDP; US Existing Home Sales
23: UK Q3 Final GDP; US Durable Good Orders; US Personal Income & Spending; US New Home Sales; BOJ Minutes
24: Tokyo CPI
25: Christmas Day

28:
29: US Consumer Confidence; Japan Retail Sales
30: Chicago PMI
31: ECB Minutes; China Manufacturing PMI

Barrons Saturday summary

TradeTheNews.com Barrons Saturday summary: Positive on cloud industry chip players, PFE, OAK, CAR, WY, SRCL, DSY.FR; Cautious on KMI 

Cover story: Positive on the cloud industry and its impact on the semiconductor industry. Cautious on INTC and QCOM as their chips represent a fading part of the demand. AMBA, BRCM, CY, MBLY, MU, NVDA and SNPS are the future of the demand. 

Trader: Opportunities will be abound in the near future with all but guaranteed confusing messaging from the Fed ahead of the December meeting. Markets appear to have recovered their losses but the gains are largely attributed to a few players such as AMZN, FB, GOOGL, and MSFT. Positive on SRCL given its valuation and history of performance. 

Features: 
1) Emerging markets panel of William Blair Emerging Markets, Van Eck, Harding Loevner, and Acadian positive on WALMEXV.MX, HDB, 700.HK, 1685.HK, VLID3.BR, ADSEZ.IN, CIEL3.BR, 1299.HK, DABUR.IN, GAPB.MX, PKY1.DE, 034220.KR 
2) Cautious on KMI given its valuation in a tough marketplace for its business model 
3) Positive on PFE given the potential for its new medicines and its growth may exceed its competitors 
4) Positive on CAR as the best pure play in the rental space following consolidation in the industry. 
5) Positive on WY; seen as a great play for a continued housing recovery and its helped by recent strong management decisions

Profile: Putnam multi cap core fund holdings include AIG AAPL C CVS GILD GOOGL JPM MSFT PFE XOM and highlights the potential behind following insider buying disclosures and IPOs. 

Follow-Up: Positive on OAK despite its runup in a flat market. Company may have futher upside to the tune of 20%

Asian Trader: China Govt is still supporting the market and has lost an opportunity to bring in foreign funds by failing to admit it had a role in the Shanghai market turmoil

Emerging Markets: Sees KSU as a way to play emerging markets and the port expansion on the West Coast. 

European Trader: Positive on DSY.FR given its strong history of investment in light of volatility in Europe

Commodities: Conditions for the wheat and corn crop in the near future are likely to be negatively impacted by the sunspots that have been observed by NASA. Prices for the crops are likely to rise as a result. 

Streetwise: Positive on small cap stocks as they have underperformed in recent months and should therefore recover in the near term.

TradeTheNews.com Weekly Market Update: Phantom Rate Hikes Haunt US Markets
Fri, 30 Oct 2015 16:08 PM EST

US stocks saw their fifth consecutive week of gains, with the S&P500 almost filling the gap from the August meltdown and coming to within 50 points of the all-time highs seen back in May. The Fed stood pat on rates, as expected, although UST yields rose to one-month highs later in the week as markets absorbed the message that rate liftoff could come in December. China waffled on setting a specific 2016 GDP target at the 13th plenum, deciding instead to adopt more flexible economic policy goals. In Washington, outgoing House Speaker Boehner concluded a two-year budget and debt ceiling deal before handing the baton to Paul Ryan, who opened his speakership by striking a more conciliatory tone, boding well for policy success in the future. For the week, the DJIA added 0.1%, the S&P500 rose 0.2% and the Nasdaq grew 0.4%, closing out their best month in four years with the major indices each up more than 8% in October.

The FOMC meeting on Wednesday served as a reminder that the US monetary policy will be shifting soon. The statement dropped a reference to global risks restraining growth that was used to justify no rate action in September. It also referred specifically to the next meeting in mid-December as a time for the Fed to weigh a decision on rate liftoff. Fed's Lacker dissented for a second time, remaining in favor of an immediate 0.25% rate increase. While the job market looks healthy (the four-week moving average in continuing claims sank to its lowest level since 1973), inflation continues to be the main source of uncertainty. Both the September core PCE - the Fed's main gauge of inflation - and third quarter GDP core PCE measures were anemic at 1.3% and undershot expectations. Fed funds futures readjusted after the decision, and now predict a roughly 50% chance of a rate hike at the December meeting, up sharply from below 36% going into the decision. EUR/US dropped precipitously after the decision, hitting 1.0900 from 1.1080. The pair was back above 1.1010 by week's end.

The big US economic data out this week was the advance third-quarter GDP reading, which just missed consensus expectations at +1.5%, and dramatically slowed from the second quarter rate of +3.9%. Analysts widely interpreted the slowdown as a direct result of businesses cutting back on restocking to work off an inventory glut. Businesses accumulated $56.8 billion worth of inventory in the third quarter, the smallest since the first quarter of 2014 and down sharply from $113.5 billion in the April-June period. Meanwhile, third quarter consumer spending expanded at a +3.2% annualized rate in the quarter after expanding at a +3.6% annualized rate in the second quarter, suggesting the US consumer remains quite healthy. Sales of new homes fell in September, with the annualized rate dropping to 468K from August's downwardly revised 529K rate. The data widely missed expectations and provided a strong contrast to the September existing home sales number, which came very close to the eight-year, post-crisis high seen in the August report.

The Chinese Communist Party held its 13th Plenum this week, announcing a goal for "medium-high" economic growth for 2016-2020, rather than setting any specific long term GDP targets. The official statement called for the Chinese economy to double GDP per capita by 2020 from 2010 levels, and independent economists suggest this should require annual economic growth in 6.5-7.0% range. Last Friday's PBoC monetary policy moves - it cut the one-year rate and system-wide RRR rates by 25bps and 50bps, respectively, while also deciding to remove the ceiling on bank deposit rates - were timed just ahead of the plenum, and over the weekend Chinese leaders worked to manage market expectations of a potential downgrade from the 7% target. Premier Li said 7% is not a hard target that should be "defended to the death," then later in the week commented that China needs an average GDP of 6.53% for the next five years to build a prosperous society by 2020. PBoC Deputy Governor Yi Gang commented that China can sustain growth of 6-7% for the next 3-5 years, while UBS also cut its 2016 GDP target for China to 6.2% from 6.5%. Also of interest: the party eliminated the one-child policy first introduced 35 years ago.

Congress and the Obama Administration reached a two-year budget deal to raise the debt ceiling and keep the government running through the end of Obama's term. The deal includes $80 billion in additional spending and a $32 billion increase in an emergency war-contingency fund, signaling the end of an era of fiscal austerity in Washington. The deal would push back the likelihood of hitting the debt ceiling until March 2017. Speaker Boehner (R-OH) officially stepped down this week after brokering the landmark budget deal, and Rep Paul Ryan (R-WI) assumed the position.

Shares of Valeant got no relief as the Philidor pharmacy scandal deepened. Valeant issued a flurry of press releases in an attempt to put out the flames, appointed a special committee to review the matter and retained a former deputy US attorney general to lead an investigation. Valeant claimed it believed it complied with the law in its relationship with Philidor, and then on Friday severed its relationship with the pharmacy, but only after CVS and Express Scripts both terminated Philidor as a provider. Further press reporting on the issue claimed that Philidor may have modified prescriptions in efforts to boost sales for Valeant, including changing RX codes in favor of Valeant instead of generic drugs.

About two-thirds of the S&P500 components have now reported earnings, with most firms reporting flattish profits and declining revenue, with a distinct absence of major growth drivers. Tech names Apple and Twitter made headlines after earnings. Apple saw good gains after beating expectations, with iPhone numbers in line, Mac sales at a record 5.7M units and iPad sales at their lowest level since 2011. Shares of Twitter are in the red for the week after investors were disappointed with the firm's weak growth in monthly active users (MAUs), up a mere 3 million q/q.

The third quarter marks one year since the beginning of the crude oil price meltdown, and reports from Big Oil reflected continued weak energy prices. Shell reported a $7.4 billion loss (versus a $4.5 billion y/y), or a $1.8 billion profit on an adjusted basis. Shell booked a $7.9 billion write-off for operations including its recently halted exploration venture off Alaska and a canceled heavy-oil project in Canada. Profits at BP fell 40% y/y. Earnings at Chevron and Exxon also declined, with Exxon's earnings down 47% y/y. However both Chevron and Exxon widely beat expectations on unexpected strength in their downstream operations, thanks to lower crude costs. Chevron also slashed its FY16 capex forecast by 25%. Shares of the four majors lost ground on the week, with Shell's ADRs down 4% on the week. Meanwhile, Valero's earnings were up 40% y/y, helping it to beat pretty high expectations, and also raise its dividend. Shares of VLO were up 7% on the week.

On the merger front, Piedmont Natural Gas agreed to be acquired by Duke Energy for $60/share in cash, a 40% premium to the stock's prior close, for total deal valued at $4.9B. Intercontinental Exchange reached a deal to acquire Interactive Data Corporation from Silver Lake and Warburg Pincus for $5.2 billion, including $3.65 billion in cash and $1.55 billion in ICE common stock. Pep Boys agreed to be acquired by Bridgestone for $15/share in cash in a deal valued at $835M. Walgreens Boots reached a deal to acquire Rite Aid for an enterprise value of $17.2B or $9.00/share in an all-cash deal. Shares of Starwood Hotels gained on press reports that Hyatt is in advanced talks to buy it, and that several Chinese firms are also interested.

TradeTheNews.com September-October 2015 Outlook: Countdown to Liftoff
Wed, 02 Sep 2015 23:56 PM EST

Who says August markets are dull? Over the past few weeks, global markets have been whipsawed, gripped by the dual fears of a Chinese slowdown and the coming end of ultra-loose Fed policy. To some extent the wild August action may be a healthy jolt of reality for markets that had grown complacent. That was certainly the case for Chinese stock investors who mostly consist of newcomers to the game and had only seen big gains in equities, but learned a lesson about risk over the last several weeks.

China's policy makers have tried to ease the blow with more stimulus and anti-short seller rhetoric, but this year's big double digit gains on the Shanghai index have now vanished, leaving many Chinese momentum investors stunned. Other global markets felt the ripples, plunging most global equity indices into correction, and ending one of the S&P500's longest ever winning streaks without a 10% pullback. Because of Germany's heavily export based economy, the China scare pushed the DAX into the dubious distinction of becoming first major western stock market to enter a bear market in this cycle.

This summer's market hurdles were difficult to navigate and caused some stumbles, but they landed in our target zone. We won the coin toss on the fate of the Euro Zone - a Grexit was averted at the eleventh hour. As predicted, low inflation continued to be a thorn in the side of the global economy and cheap oil got even cheaper despite some painful cutbacks in the North American shale industry. China's policy makers rode to the rescue of its stock market, as expected, though the measures were doled out in a ham handed fashion and have seen inconclusive results. The countdown clock on Fed rate liftoff remains obscured: though many at the Fed seem eager to get the rate tightening mission started, recent market gyrations have given policymakers at mission control another reason to hold back.

The challenges for the markets could be even greater in the next few months. A new season of political theater is upon us, with the potential for another US budget clash and a fresh round of European elections including, alas, yet another Greek ballot. Questions about China's growth remain a hot topic and officials in Beijing may need to refuel the stimulus booster rockets again in coming months. Slowing growth in China and its currency devaluation will keep global inflation weak. Energy markets will continue to suffer from that weak growth and inflation outlook and also from ongoing supply and demand imbalances. All of these issues will factor into the Fed's key decision on rate liftoff.

Entering New Political Orbits

Since securing its third rescue package from European creditors, Greece has found some calm, though there may be one final stage to achieve the successful launch of the bailout. In an effort to re-consolidate his power before the effects of the new bailout reforms are felt, Prime Minister Tsipras resigned his post and called a snap election (the fourth election in three and a half years in Greece). The September 20 vote is essentially another referendum and Tsipras' Syriza party - minus the defectors that voted against the bailout agreement - holds a narrow lead over the main opposition New Democracy party. Even if the opposition New Democracy pulls out a victory, it would likely abide by the terms of the bailout, but any political turnover could interfere with the important process of getting the IMF involved in the new Greek bailout arrangement. As German Chancellor Merkel put it, the new Greek deal ends "uncertainties", though the same sentiment occurred after the first and second Greek bailouts. It remains to be seen if Athens' woes will reemerge as a problem in another year or two.

The clamor of the Greek crisis may finally be over, but its echo may be heard in Spain, where general elections are to be held sometime before Christmas. Many analysts believe the small compromises on debt relief won by Syriza will strengthen the hand of other populist protest parties, starting with Podemos in Spain. Formed in 2014, the upstart Podemos movement, led by political science professor Pablo Iglesias, has won over many voters who used to support a fragmented group of leftist parties in Spain. Late last year, polls showed Podemos running in a dead heat with the ruling conservative party (PP), though more recently it has slipped behind the PP and the main opposition center-left PSOE. But there are still a few months until the election and it's clear that Podemos will be a player in Madrid that might inspire more populist candidates in Europe's peripheral nations.

As in Greece, another revote is scheduled in neighboring Turkey. Former PM Erdogan was unable to engineer an outright parliamentary majority in June which would have allowed his AKP party to implement his plan for greatly enhancing the power of the office of the President, which Erdogan now holds. These ambitions contributed to the June ballot arriving at no conclusive winner and the subsequent failure of coalition talks, prompting a new snap election. Political uncertainty and a surge in violence have already seeded some economic instability in Turkey, which could be magnified if the poll on the first day of November results in another hung parliament.

Brazil is another country where recent economic problems have been compounded by political uncertainty. The national oil company Petrobras is embroiled in a corruption scandal in which officials pocketed millions of dollars in kickbacks from construction firms that were granted bloated contracts. The already tarnished President Rousseff has been further bruised by her connection to Petrobras, having been its chairwoman for part of the time that the graft ring operated. Though there is no evidence she benefited from the bribery scheme, Rousseff is accused of fudging government accounts to allow for more state spending ahead of her reelection last year. Pending the findings of an audit court, she may face an impeachment trial, though that would require a two-thirds majority vote of Chamber of Deputies (to remove her from office, another two-thirds vote would be needed in the Senate, which would preside over the proceedings).

If the impeachment trial is set in motion, the still popular Vice President Temer would temporarily take over Rousseff's duties. This year hehas led an effort to mend fences with the business community by taking charge of efforts to defend the nation's investment grade rating by pushing austerity legislation to reduce the deficit (as of July S&P revised the outlook on Brazil's BBB- rating to negative). Interestingly, Mr. Temer, 75, recently gave up his duties as the President's chief liaison to the legislature, perhaps indicating that he is unwilling to use his influence in the Congress to lobby for Rousseff. All told, this could set up a scenario in which the outlook for Brazil takes another hit if Rousseff is formally accused, but then finds some stability under the seasoned leadership of Temer.

In the US, the race for President is in full swing with fourteen months to go before the election. Bloviating candidates and the sense that President Obama is entering his lame duck phase could embolden the Republican controlled Congress to threaten another budget impasse this fall. Senate Majority Leader McConnell has promised it won't happen, but he may not be able to control the unpredictable House, and a recent Wall Street Journal poll found that economists feel there is a strong possibility of another budget battle that shuts down the government and threatens default this year, despite Congressional leaders' insistence otherwise. Currently the CBO estimates that the US Treasury will exhaust its borrowing capacity by late November or early December without a debt limit increase.

The long run up to the Presidential election in 2016 is contrasted by campaign season in Canada that lasts less than two months, culminating in an election on October 19. The incumbent Conservative Prime Minister Harper is vying to extend his nine years of minority government by letting the New Democratic and Liberal parties continue to split the left-of-center vote. The NDP is the official opposition party and has built a small lead in the polls over the Conservatives. The party made inroads in provincial elections earlier this year, winning control of Alberta and introduced a hike in the corporate tax rate, per the NDP party platform, and also pledged a review of oil and gas royalty rates. That could be a preview of a national victory for the NDP, which could put a further pinch on energy firms that have already been squeezed by the collapse of oil prices.

PREDICTIONS: Politics can be more harrowing than a rocket ride to the Moon. In Greece, Tsipras is expected to win the snap election by a narrow margin which should put the Greek issue to bed, though he may find it more difficult to govern outside of crisis situations and referendums. Uncertain political situations in Turkey and Spain will work against European stability at this delicate moment.

In Brazil, President Rousseff may not have 'the right stuff' to govern. A government collapse under the weight of corruption could further damage the nation's already weakened economy. That could be compounded if the sovereign rating gets downgrade to junk, which might cause a disorderly move in the Brazilian real that would bleed into other emerging market currencies.

A political folly is less likely in Washington this time given the tendency for a government shutdown to backfire on the GOP, but it won't stop some tough talk that may be disquieting for markets. Meanwhile, Canada's mercifully short campaign cycle should benefit the incumbent.

..3, 2, Yuan

China is the new epicenter of market angst. The economic growth rate there has been slowing for years and the data has been particularly underwhelming this year. The official government manufacturing PMI just slipped into contraction for the first time in six months, while the private PMI survey has been in contraction since March as new orders and exports have seen steepening declines.

The Chinese stock market didn't pay this much mind until recently. Thanks to new liberalizations, Chinese investors poured money (often on margin) into domestic stocks as the new 'hot' investment market, and equity indices launched like a rocket this spring. But the market failed to reach escape velocity and came crashing back down to earth, erasing the over 50% year-to-date gain see at its zenith.

A series of rate cuts in the first half of the year failed to staunch the bleeding in Chinese equities. Then Beijing announced it would pump billions of dollars directly into the market and enlisted brokerage houses to do the same, but with little effect. Finally, the Chinese central bank (PBoC) shocked the financial world with a sudden devaluation of the yuan, amounting to 5% over three days.

At this point, Chinese policy looked panicked and policymakers seemed lost. The knee jerk responses to the stock market bubble deflating took away focus from the slow, deliberate efforts of the government over the last decade to institute reforms while still supporting growth. Officials blamed the stock market burn out on "malicious short sellers" and some tried to pin it on the Fed's impending rate hike decision. And after spending upwards of $200 billion to prop up the stock market, China abruptly scrubbed its plunge protection program.

The PBoC currency devaluation was one small step for the yuan but a giant leap for the global currency regime. The move will certainly help the Chinese economy by supporting exports, but some economists fret that China's domestic deflation will be among those exports, even as US and European importers enjoy lower cost products from China. The weaker yuan will also saddle some Chinese firms that have large dollar debts with big foreign exchange losses.

The most concerning issue with the devaluation of the yuan is whether it will embolden other developing economies to join the race to prop up their own exports, starting a genuine currency war. Already, in the wake of the China currency move, Vietnam widened its FX trading band from 1% to 3%, effectively devaluing its currency. Other emerging markets like Turkey and Mexico have seen their currencies fall too-far too-fast and have increased FX interventions.

So far global policy leaders are playing it cool. The PBoC effectively defanged potential critics by offering just what has been asked of it - more currency flexibility (and in the aftermath the IMF agreed it was appropriate, perhaps helping the case for the yuan gaining status as an international reserve currency next year). Ahead of a G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bankers in Turkey (Sept 4-5), reports say that those leading economies will downplay the notion of competitive devaluation being a major issue.

The subject is bound to come up again when China President Xi Jinping makes his first state visit to the US in late September (no set date yet). Many Congressmen condemned the currency move as manipulation, and it may throw a monkey wrench into the Obama Administration's efforts to seal the trans-Pacific trade pact. The White House will likely restrain itself to repeating its mantra that it wants to see more rapid reform efforts in China. The US Treasury's semi-annual currency report, due out this fall, should echo that sentiment, though it could also be used as a platform to issue a sterner warning to nations that are considering their own currency devaluations.

Neighboring Japan, which has hit its own soft patch, expressed some concerns about China's actions. Japan just reported a drop in Q2 GDP, its first economic contraction in three quarters, and a setback for the policies of Prime Minister Abe. The data was blamed on weaker external demand from the US and China, leading to a significant drop in exports. A senior advisor to Abe made it clear that Japan can respond if necessary, suggesting the Bank of Japan should consider extra easing if the Yen rises sharply in reaction to the situation in China or if Japan's Q3 GDP fails to register growth. For his part, BOJ governor Kuroda agreed he is prepared to adjust Quantitative and Qualitative Easing (QQE) if needed, though as of late August the current pace of the program was sufficient to meet inflation objectives despite the drop in oil prices. He also indicated that excessive appreciation of the Yen has been corrected.

PREDICTIONS: China's stock market appears to have regained a measure of stability in recent days, though the country's momentum-seeking investor class may shy away from equities for a while and move on to another asset class. Though the market swings have drawn comparisons to the volatility seen around the collapse of Lehman Brothers or even the 1929 stock market crash, most economists see limited risk to China's real economy from the stock tumult and even less for the global economy.

If China's broader economy continues to weaken, things could get more serious for the global outlook. China trade accounts for only 1% of US GDP but its closer to 3% of the export-reliant German economy, so more China weakness could push the euro back toward parity with the dollar. There would obviously be an even bigger impact on commodity driven markets like Brazil and Australia that have helped supply China through its boom times.

But despite the recent jitters, officials in Beijing remain confident in their GDP targets and there are no clear signs of a consumer malaise. Market watchers should take some comfort from the fact that, in the worst throes of the August markets, Apple CEO Tim Cook took the extraordinary measure of announcing that business in China remained strong in recent weeks. Another solid GDP report for Q3 (Oct 14) should foster more stability.

Chinese markets will be closed for a holiday on September 3 and 4, which may offer some welcome relief as it is clear more work needs to be done after the technical damage done by the stock market convulsions. After the clumsy effort to directly prop up the stock market, China's leaders will probably return to more traditional stimulus efforts like rate cuts to keep the economic engine humming. The unrestrained ease with which the PBoC devalued the yuan does raise the question of whether this will become a more regular part of its stimulus toolkit. At the time of the move, some press reports claimed that influential voices in the government were pushing for a 10% devaluation. Central bankers quickly denied this report, but did say they would step in when the currency market is "distorted." Diminishing returns from traditional accommodation may also lead to renewed speculation about China launching its own brand of quantitative easing.

Houston, We Have a Problem

The oil patch has suffered amidst the crash landing in the energy market. Excess production has more than halved the price of oil in the last twelve months, and dealt crude futures a streak of eight straight weekly losses, the worst run in three decades. Faced with this reality, oil majors have universally cut their capital spending budgets, and some oil services firms have reduced their hefty dividend payments as they batten down the hatches. Since the swoon started late last year, the US shale industry has decommissioned over half of its land-based drilling rigs, but that hasn't been enough to prop up the energy market as OPEC has stubbornly maintained output levels.

Dramatically lower oil prices are boosting demand. The International Energy Agency just raised its forecast for 2015 world oil demand growth to 1.6 million barrels per day (a 200 thousand bpd increase from its prior forecast), highlighting a "drastic uptick" largely as a result of low prices. But despite demand growing at the fastest rate in five years, the EIA said the global supply overhang is likely to persist well into 2016.

Saudi Arabia has been pumping out about 10.5 million bpd all summer, determined to hold onto market share, even though lower oil revenues have forced the Kingdom to issue new sovereign debt for the first time in eight years. Energy market developments are bound to come up when Saudi King Salman visits the US this month (Sept 4). The official topics of discussion are more political, including regional security in light of Saudi's skirmish with the Houthis in Yemen and the Iran nuclear deal. Some press reports have said that Saudi will look to implement a modest 300 thousand bpd production cut this fall, but based only on the domestic demand environment - it would not be expected to impact export levels.

Some non-Gulf OPEC nations have been pleading with the Saudis to agree to some response to lower oil, and lately there are signs that the pain of low crude prices may be eroding the Saudi hard line. A recent OPEC statement said the cartel would be willing to talk with other producers about steps to get "fair prices," as long as the discussions take place "on a level playing field." That may open the door for an arrangement between Saudi Arabia and Russia, who are fiercely contending over the Chinese oil market (and lately Russia is winning - it surpassed its rival as China's biggest oil supplier in May).

The broader commodities market hasn't been immune to the forces acting on energy. An impending Fed rate hike has created some aversion to investments in dollar denominated commodities. Additionally, the PBoC's decision to devalue its currency added to the downward pressure on raw material prices already felt because of China's gradual economic rebalancing toward less commodity intensive growth.

Cheaper commodities have fed into weak inflation, which has become one of the biggest concerns of global central bankers today, as they desperately work to avoid the fate of Japan, which went through a decade of deflation woes. A Fed paper prepared for the Jackson Hole symposium laid out the risks this way: The risk of of experiencing deflation in US over the next five years increases from zero in short term to about 15%, for Japan, risk remains around 50%, and for the Eurozone, the short-run the risk of deflation is about 5% and it increases to about 20% over the next five years.

Putting aside Japan, Europe may be the most vulnerable to continued commodity weakness pushing down inflation. The Eurozone has been troubled by low inflation for several years and the fear of deflation was enough to inspire the European Central Bank to launch its QE program in March. Given the market events in August, there are now some calls for the ECB to do even more. Analysts at JP Morgan recently wrote that the ECB may consider additional stimulus to offset economic risks arising from emerging market weakness (the same report also suggested the BOJ could take a more aggressive tack in early 2016 if negative core inflation readings crop up). Meanwhile, the IMF said in July that the QE program may need to be extended beyond the presumed end date of September 2016 and that Eurozone inflation won't reach the target level through 2020.

PREDICTIONS: Saudi Arabia has been playing a game of chicken with Russia and with shale oil producers who reacted by getting more efficient. But if crude prices retest recent lows it may be the Saudis that finally blink, as long as they are given some opportunity to save face. However, even if a gentlemen's agreement can be reached amongst producer nations, the massive glut of supply is not going to vanish overnight.

Crude is the canary in the coal mine: if oil prices can't stabilize, the broader commodity market and inflation forecasts will be at risk. The last ten months of lower oil prices have done little to boost global consumer spending, so the current low price environment may be more indicative of a weak economy with tepid demand rather than a harbinger of a business cycle about to blast-off after being refueled by cheap oil. Even during the height of energy demand this summer oil prices could not gain any traction, so as we move into the autumn and demand sees a seasonal decline, there is no fundamental basis for a rebound. The evidence suggests that low inflation will persist for at least the rest of 2015.

The question is whether the drop in energy prices is due to a global economic slowdown in the making or if it's completely supply driven. There are some indications that demand is healthy, and a three-day, 30% snapback rally at the end of August fostered some hope that petroleum futures were bottoming out. Yet it remains to be seen if the lows will be retested, and some energy analysts still foresee WTI crude trading below $30/barrel.

Analysts will have their radar trained on the ECB policy reaction to the threats from weak commodities and the resultant problems in emerging market economies. The ECB is only about a third of the way through pumping more than $1 trillion into the Eurozone economy, but if the flirtation with deflation persists, central bank officials will begin to aggressively jawbone the issue. In the nearer term, weak oil and a slowing China economy, along with a recent rebound in the euro from safe-haven flows could prompt the ECB to revise down its inflation outlook at its next policy meeting (Sept 3). At this point, the notion of more ECB stimulus is a moonshot - not likely to pan out, but a very dramatic moment if it does occur.

Ladies and Gentlemen, We Have Liftoff

The Fed decision in September could be fraught, a damned-if-you-do damned-if-you-don't situation. Liftoff this month could have the markets seeing stars, vexed by the prospect of rates running higher out of step with other global central banks that are still at full throttle on stimulus. On the other hand, if the Fed decides to abort in September it could indicate that the central bank has some indications of economic deterioration that could be bearish.

The August jobs report (Sept 4) is seen as a low hurdle for rate liftoff - only a terrible disappointment would contribute to a no go decision. If the non-farm payrolls come in well above expectations it could help justify rate liftoff this month. However, August is known for producing anomalous jobs data and has missed NFP forecasts for each of the last four years, sometimes by a wide margin.

There are other factors that the Fed will be considering besides the data as it computes the optimal timing for liftoff. At the Jackson Hole symposium a number of FOMC members acknowledged that the recent market turmoil could factor into the decision making process. Fed Vice-Chairman Stanley Fischer encapsulated the sentiment by saying that financial market developments are a concern, though the turmoil could dissipate quickly, and that the committee has two more weeks of data to consider before deciding. To many analysts, Fischer's comments indicated that while rate liftoff is not a sure thing in September, it's probably unrealistic to think that the Fed will push back the first rate hike to next year.

The sudden, steep stock market correction last month, which culminated in a mini 'flash crash' on August 24, may have shaken the confidence of retail investors, but there are still many reasons the Fed could still see a green light for September rate liftoff. Growth data has been solid, most notably the Q2 GDP revision that brought growth in the quarter up to 3.7%, five-tenths higher than expected, on improved consumer and business spending. The labor market has continued to recuperate and consumer confidence readings have been solid. Additionally, many commercial banks, which would benefit from higher interest rates, are lobbying the Fed to get on with it. The Fed may also not want to chance waiting until mid-December when conditions are more illiquid.

The arguments against a move this month start with the concern that even if the US economy can withstand slightly higher rates, the global economy won't be able to handle the g-forces of liftoff (and will end up puking lower). As steward of the emerging markets, the IMF has been warning about this outcome all year. Now some prominent economists, including two at Barclays, have begun to agree that the Fed should wait until 2016. Other voices argue that the Fed "missed the launch window" earlier this year and that recent market volatility makes now too precarious a time for a rate hike.

For the Fed itself, weak inflation is the biggest sticking point. The core PCE price index has edged up only 0.1% month over month for each of the last six months, and in July the year over year figure slipped a tenth to 1.2%. July core CPI undershot expectations, and to cap it off the Q2 employment cost index rose only 0.2%, four-tenths less than forecast and its smallest rise in three decades.

The start of a rate tightening cycle is difficult for businesses: data compiled by Goldman Sachs indicates that in the quarter after the last dozen tightening regimes began, price to earnings ratios contracted an average of 7.2%. S&P analysts have noted that during the six months before or after the first rate hike, the S&P500 index experienced a decline of 5% or more about 80% of the time (in 13 out of 18 cycles since WWII).

That could spell trouble for companies that are already struggling with slow growth, but there are a number of factors that makes this cycle unique. This time around, the Fed is under no pressure to curb unsustainable growth or surging inflation, so it will likely be able to take it very slow. Also, the starting point from the zero bound is unprecedented and bond yields are much lower than in past rate tightening cycles. In the last half dozen cycles the average starting point for the fed funds rate has been around 5% and the 10-year treasury close to 7%. That would support the thesis that this time rising rates will not be enough to wreck the current bull market in stocks, and bond yields will rise gradually with Fed rates and improving growth trends.

If the Fed decides against liftoff in September, a key signal will come from Richmond Fed President Lacker, seen as the leading hawk on the current FOMC but who has thus far voted with the majority to refrain from rate action. In early September, Mr. Lacker plans to give a speech entitled "The Case Against Further Delay", making it abundantly clear that if the Fed stays its hand in September he will register the first dissent of the year, exerting pressure on his colleagues for an October or December move.

PREDICTIONS: The start of a new rate cycle is always the trickiest part, finding the right moment between moving too early and waiting too long. The Fed might be experiencing something akin to the dread astronauts must feel while sitting on the launch pad just before takeoff - confident in their objective but worried about the perilous means of reaching it. A false step at this point could blow up the Fed's credibility.

Though the Fed's first hike in nine years may be challenging for some markets, the underlying reasons for tightening are bullish - a better economy that the Fed believes can handle less accommodation. Some analysts theorize that the Fed may simply want to create some room to maneuver in case negative macro events required some renewed stimulus from the central bank. A couple of 25 basis point hikes this year would give the Fed the ability to cut rates again if things sour in China or elsewhere. So the bar may be very low for rate liftoff, and the Fed's emphasis on the rate path after liftoff may be the proper focus.

If they do act in September, the FOMC could ease the blow by ratcheting back longer run rate projections as they continue to emphasize the new tightening cycle will be very gradual and peak at a lower than usual altitude. And if the bond market doesn't explode on the launch pad, it could dispel a substantial amount of the anxiety regarding mildly tighter Fed policy.

Chances are, however, that by mid-September the FOMC majority will still see conditions as unsatisfactory, and will rely on the caveat of strict "data dependence" to abort rate liftoff. Despite a hawkish slant out of Jackson Hole, fed fund futures haven't gotten back above a 1-in-3 chance of a rate rise this month, meaning a hike now would be a "surprise." Historically September and October are two of the toughest months for stock markets, which might be enough to dissuade the Fed from acting at the next meeting if that pattern holds true. Given the gravity of the decision and with the Fed's credibility at stake, Yellen and her crew will probably wait to see if the skies are sunnier in October or December. They will leave the launch window open for liftoff later this year, but developments in China could further retard the trajectory of any subsequent rate hikes.


CALENDAR (based on ET)
SEPTEMBER
(US Treasury Currency Report, no set date)
1: Euro Zone Unemployment; US ISM Manufacturing PMI
2: US Factory Orders
3: UK Services PMI; ECB Policy Decision and Press Conf; US Trade Balance; US ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI; China markets closed for holiday Sept 3-4
4: German Factory Orders; US Payrolls and Unemployment; G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Officials meet in Ankara, Turkey (2-day meeting)

7: Japan Final Q2 GDP
8: China Trade Balance (tentative)
9: UK Manufacturing Production; US JOLTS Jobs Openings; China CPI & PPI
10: BOE Policy Decision
11: US PPI; US Preliminary University of Michigan Confidence

13: China Industrial Production
14: BOJ Policy Statement (tentative)
15: German ZEW Economic Sentiment; UK Inflation Hearings; US Retail Sales; US Industrial Production
16: UK CPI & PPI; Euro Zone Final CPI; US CPI
17: US Housing Starts & Building Permits; US Philly Fed Manufacturing Index; FOMC Policy Decision, Updated Forecast & Press Conference; BOJ Minutes
18: UK Retail Sales

20: Greece snap election
21: US Existing Home Sales; China Caixin Flash Manufacturing PMI
22: Various EU Flash PMI readings
23: German Ifo Business Climate
24: US Durable Goods Orders; US New Home Sales; Tokyo Core CPI
25: US Final Q2 GDP

28: US Personal Income & Spending; US Core PCE; Japan Household Spending
29: US Consumer Confidence
30: UK Final Q2 GDP; Euro Zone Flash CPI; Euro Zone Unemployment; US Chicago PMI; China Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing PMIs

Jul 01 2015

 Session Time: Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 2015
[09:20] {dino} gm
01[09:20] {@Threei}  dino :)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  dino, see dcc please
01[09:32] {@Threei} Short Setup: FB  87 break
01[09:32] {@Threei}  If holds  .10
01[09:33] {@Threei}  1:1
01[09:33] {@Threei}  good luck getting in though
01[09:33] {@Threei}  Upside:
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -CB +33% (being acquired by ACE for $28.3B)
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -TLOG +29% (positive update on MDS clinical program)
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -BIOC +17% (launch of FGFR1 amplification testing utilizing a patient's blood sample)
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -FREE +13% (Cambria Capital discloses 6.6% passive stake)
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -TBIO +11% (announced private placement of 1.2M shares for $3M)
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -ACE +9% (acquiring CB for $28.3B)
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -AVAV +4.5% (earnings)
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -KITE +3.7% (collaboration with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to enhance the development of KTE-C19)
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -STX +3% (no news seen)
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -WYNN +2.6% (Macau June casino revenues)
01[09:33] {@Threei}  -MGM +2.4% (Macau June casino revenues)
01[09:34] {@Threei}  Downside:
01[09:34] {@Threei}  -XENE -31% (discloses Phase 2b study of TV-45070)
01[09:34] {@Threei}  -BLDP -19% (priced 8.125M share offering at $1.60/shr)
01[09:34] {@Threei}  -EXEL -6% (filed mixed security shelf of indeterminate amount)
01[09:34] {@Threei}  -MCHX -4% (negative broker commentary)
01[09:35] {@Threei}  LOL:
01[09:35] {@Threei}  - Eurogroup convenes on Greece most recent proposal and reignites hopes for a compromise; Greece PM Tsipras said to be prepared to accept all bailout conditions
01[09:35] {@Threei}  blackmail failed?
[09:37] {dino} in long run, better off defaulting imo
01[09:38] {@Threei}  yeah but they are watching polls, as all politians do... and Tsirpas populasrity fell a lot over last week or two
01[09:38] {@Threei}  so he is backing down
01[09:39] {@Threei} Long Setup:  TWTR  .70 break
01[09:39] {@Threei}  If holds  .60
01[09:42] {@Threei}  valid still
[09:50] {dino} thin volumes
01[09:50] {@Threei}  and narrow range
[09:51] {nemo} gap and nap until meetings over
[09:51] {dino} cmcm sm l .50
[09:53] {dino} dbvt
01[09:53] {@Threei}  1:1
[09:53] {dino} bwxt drop
[09:54] {dino} bad chart
[09:55] {dino} dbvt sm s ave .68
[09:56] {dino} hooker trader
01[09:57] {@Threei}  1:2
[09:57] {dino} gj
01[09:57] {@Threei}  ty
01[09:58] {@Threei}  1:3
01[09:58] {@Threei}  out
[09:58] {dino} even better job
01[09:58] {@Threei}  :)
01[10:00] {@Threei}  *(US) MAY CONSTRUCTION SPENDING M/M: 0.8% V 0.4%E
[10:07] {dino} out cmcm .85, +.35
01[10:08] {@Threei}  wtg
02[10:09] * Disconnected
Session Close: Wed Jul 01 10:09:58 2015

Session Start: Wed Jul 01 10:09:58 2015
Session Ident: #discussions
02[10:11] * Attempting to rejoin channel #discussions
03[10:11] * Rejoined channel #discussions
01[10:13] {Threei}  internet hiccup
[10:18] {dino} lot of un-true spikes
01[10:18] {Threei} Short Setup: FB  .50 break
01[10:18] {Threei}  If holds  .60
01[10:20] {Threei}  no go
01[10:30] {Threei}  (GR) Greece PM Tsipras: Referendum is not about whether to stay in the Euro; Greece Govt still in negotiations - National address - Notes received a better offer from creditors after called for referendum, if see better outcome from Eurogroup today will respond immediately
01[10:31] {Threei}  FB rinse
[10:33] {dino} cov dbvt .97, +.71
[10:41] {dino} tough crowd
01[10:42] {Threei}  lol
01[10:42] {Threei}  but it's less than $1
[10:42] {dino} i know, i've let you down
01[10:43] {Threei}  we will expect better of you still
[10:43] {dino} added fcx calls w/time
[10:46] {dino} not sure 3i, markets seem to be slowing down
01[10:47] {Threei}  yeah
[10:47] {dino} scanners slow
[11:02] {dino} hrzn drop
[11:09] {dino} hum dee dum
[11:10] {dino} this pace keeps up and i will be golfing early today
01[11:10] {Threei}  well... not a bad thing I guess
01[11:10] {Threei}  Raven, you here?
[11:11] {dino} golfing, never a bad thing
[11:11] {dino} cuba spike
01[11:11] {Threei}  Obama speaks about it
[11:11] {Raven} here now
01[11:11] {Threei}  ok,
01[11:11] {Threei}  we are closing the shop till Sept 1
[11:12] {Raven} good idea
01[11:12] {Threei}  so, Aug 25th is the date when we exchange e-mails and coordinate the reopening
[11:12] {dino} slackers
01[11:12] {Threei}  we are, aren't we
[11:12] {dino} :)
01[11:13] {Threei}  and btw, you qwith your golf is the biggest slacker of all :)
[11:13] {dino} perhaps
[11:13] {Raven} lol
01[11:14] {Threei}  now I need to wait for cosmo and nemo to reconnect, to inform them
01[11:44] {Threei}  Traders dumped European stocks yesterday after word came that the Greeks made a last-ditch plea for a new bailout and skipped repayment of an IMF payment, but today there were reports that PM Tsipras wrote separately to Greece's main creditors and accepted many of their conditions to extend the now-expired bailout.
01[11:45] {Threei}  , Tsipras said that contrary to rumors, the referendum will move forward and reiterated his support for a "no" vote in order to get a "better agreement with lenders."
01[11:45] {Threei}  WTI crude has fallen about $1.50 to one-month lows below $58. Note that both sides in the Iran negotiations continue to make very upbeat comments a day after the deadline was extended by a week, to July 7th.
[11:45] {dino} he speaks out of both sides of his mouth
01[11:46] {Threei}  if he had third, he would use that too
[11:47] {dino} indeed
01[12:41] {Threei} Short Setup: FB  .90 break
01[12:41] {Threei}  If holds  87
01[12:44] {Threei}  1:1
[12:59] {dino} gj
01[12:59] {Threei} Long Setup:  VXX  .73 break
01[12:59] {Threei}  If holds  .65
01[13:04] {Threei}  meh
[13:20] {dino} some buddies called to golf. calling it a day (good one 2 for 2). i guess we'll alk around august 25th. keep me in the loop vad.
01[13:20] {Threei}  sounds good
[13:20] {dino} alk=talk
[13:20] {dino} good trading all
01[13:20] {Threei}  have fun, and talk to you in two months :)
01[13:21] {Threei}  take care guys, have a great summer as they said in school
[13:21] {dino} same to you
02[16:26] * Disconnected
Session Close: Wed Jul 01 16:26:18 2015

Session Start: Wed Jul 01 16:26:18 2015
Session Ident: #discussions
02[16:26] * Attempting to rejoin channel #discussions
03[16:26] * Rejoined channel #discussions
Session Time: Thu Jul 02 00:00:00 2015
01[08:58] {@Threei}  cosmo, http://tradinglog.realitytrader.com/2015/07/jul-01-2015.html
[09:09] {cosmo} feeling like an April Fool here
01[09:10] {@Threei}  we decided on that yesterday after you left
01[09:10] {@Threei}  I actually kept the room open just to let you know
[09:11] {cosmo} k...I'll try to get over it
[09:11] {cosmo} :)
01[09:11] {@Threei}  so, look for e-mail around aug 25
[09:12] {dino} gm
01[09:12] {@Threei}  dino... creature of habit? :)
[09:12] {dino} just bought house # 30. another foreclosure. this one is sweet
01[09:12] {@Threei}  nice
[09:13] {dino} the game never ends
[09:13] {dino} this one should cover son's first year at nc state university
[09:14] {cosmo} wolf pack
[09:15] {dino} indeed
[09:16] {cosmo} beating Duke in BB should be easy next year
[09:17] {dino} lets hope so
[09:17] {cosmo} the good ones went pro this year
[09:18] {dino} yes, they are in a re-building year
[09:20] {cosmo} Maybe Vad still has friends in SD to visit?
01[09:22] {@Threei}  I do, but this year they visit me
01[09:23] {@Threei}  ok dino, last time and just for you:
01[09:23] {@Threei}  Upside:
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -XOOM +21% (PayPal to Acquire Xoom for $25/shr cash or $890M enterprise value)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -AGTC +16% (Enters Collaboration Deal with Biogen to Develop Gene Therapies In Ophthalmology)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -HNT +15% (To merge with Centene in transaction valued at $78.57/shr in cash and stock)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -CFMS +8.1% (momentum following IPO)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -PRGS +8.1% (earnings)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -ACRX +7.0% (Journal Publishes review of Phase 3 Trial of Zalviso in post-operative pain)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -RIGL +6.4% (momentum from recent strength attributed to circulation of medical blog report on experimental ovarian cancer treatment)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -BP +4.5% (Confirms settlement value at $18.7B to resolve oil spill claims)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -TSLA +4.0% (Reports quarterly record in Q2 deliveries
01[09:23] {@Threei}  Downside:
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -FRO -5.0% (Announces all-stock merger agreement with Frontline 2012 Ltd.)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -MNTA -2.1% (UBS downgrade)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  -ISCA -2.0% (earnings)
01[09:23] {@Threei}  :)
[09:24] {dino} ty
[09:35] {dino} lbtyk and a
01[09:40] {@Threei}  folks, if you want, I can keep the room open so you can communicate
[09:40] {dino} ty
[09:41] {cosmo} ...for those of us still in denial :)
01[09:41] {@Threei}  I won't be here except for the nick, and occasionally in my electronic flesh... but the room might stay open for you
[09:41] {Raven} addicts need to be here
01[09:41] {@Threei}  OK, deal :)
03[09:41] * Retrieving #discussions modes...
[09:41] {dino} lol raven, but can't be helped
[09:41] {Raven} apparently not
01[09:42] {@Threei}  I'll let nemo know in case he wants to see you lot
[09:43] {Raven} that will add instability ... excellent
[09:45] {dino} lbtyk sm l .19
[09:47] {dino} stop is .08
[09:50] {dino} stopped
[10:01] {dino} pinc sm l .30 gappy
01[10:01] {@Threei}  https://www.facebook.com/VadymGraiferPhotography/posts/864893323590184
[10:03] {dino} gts drop
[10:03] {dino} downgrade
[10:04] {cosmo} how long are those exposures?
01[10:04] {@Threei}  various... up to 8 seconds
[10:04] {cosmo} ah
[11:01] {dino} hum bouncing around
[11:27] {dino} vrtx spike
[11:30] {dino} egrx drop, gappy