In addition to adding more value to your portfolio, investors can also keep chasing breakouts, but understand it means more vigilance.

Case in point: market breadth has become decidedly bullish again.

On the NYSE, there were 132 new 52-week highs, against only 14 new lows.

On the NASDAQ, there were 157 new highs against 33 new lows.

Of course, the market remains range-bound, so I would wait for the Dow to close above 25,322 before becoming extra aggressive.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

 

 

The Search for Value

On Monday, stocks popped big time as the message of the market was intriguing. Defense sectors, utilities and real estate took it on the chin as money rotated back into other parts of the equity market.  What stood out to me is money flowed into areas other than technology, which still finished higher even after Morgan Stanley lowered its rating on Technology (XLK).

Financials enjoyed the best session as the easier play now is to own them ahead of Friday when four big banks post financial results; however, each had great sessions led by JPMorgan Chase (JPM), +3.1%. 

The Search for Value continues in addition to those underperforming Financials. Investors (I think the so-called smart money crowd) are even buying oversold stocks, even those that recently disappointed on earnings enjoyed a solid session.

Industrials led the way with Caterpillar (CAT), United Rentals (URI), and Deere (DE) posting strong sessions.

Consumer Discretionary saw Helen of Troy crush its earnings report, inspiring investors to buy Royal Caribbean (RCL), Chipotle (CMG), and Advanced Auto Parts (AAP).

S&P 500 Index	+0.88%
Communication Services (XLC)	+0.57%
Consumer Discretionary (XLY)	+1.20%
Consumer Staples (XLP)	-0.38%
Energy (XLE)	+1.49%
Financials (XLF)	+2.32%
Health Care (XLV)	+0.73%
Industrials (XLI)	+1.86%
Materials (XLB)	+0.89%
Real Estate (XLRE)	-0.93%
Technology (XLK)	+0.76%
Utilities (XLU)	-3.08%

 

Winning the Trade Battle

Investors are looking beyond the headlines that are predicting a defeat in Trump’s tariff battle to the facts.

If all $34 billion in China’s retaliatory tariffs hit only red states, it would be less than 7% of exports of approximately $500 billion from those states. The $8.5 billion would be a hit of 1.7% to Chinese consumers and largely absorbed. The fact is less than 1% of red state exports are impacted.

Red State Economic Exposure to China Trade	Workers	Goods	Services	Total
Texas	74,700	$15.6	$4.3	$19.9
South Carolina	34,800	$6.3	$.53	$6.8
Florida	31,000	$1.9	$3.4	$5.3
Ohio	30,900	$4.0	$1.2	$5.2
Michigan	29,200	$4.0	$1.1	$5.1
Pennsylvania	26,500	$2.7	$1.7	$4.4
Georgia	23,400	$3.0	$1.3	$4.3
Indiana	26,300	$3.1	$.856	$4.0
Alabama	17,400	$3.6	$.383	$4.0
North Carolina	24,700	$2.6	$1.3	$3.9
Kentucky	15,300	$3.2	$.453	$3.7
Tennessee	20,400	$2.7	$.819	$3.5
Louisiana	23,600	$2.5	$.772	$3.3
Missouri	19,900	$1.7	$.829	$2.5
Iowa	23,600	$2.1	$.332	$2.4
Wisconsin	14,100	$1.9	$.491	$2.4
Arizona	13,400	$1.2	$1.0	$2.2
Nebraska	15,100	$1.4	$.182	$1.6
Kansas	13,300	$1.2	$.278	$1.5
Alaska	6,100	$1.3	$.136	$1.4
Mississippi	9,300	$1.0	$.208	$1.2
Arkansas	8,600	$.910	$.175	$1.1
Utah	6,000	$.704	$.395	$1.1
South Dakota	9,600	$.800	$0.095	$.900
North Dakota	9,000	$.765	$.076	$.830
West Virginia	3,800	$.538	$.171	$700
Idaho	5,200	$.468	$.128	$600
Oklahoma	4,700	$.287	$.381	$.670
Montana	2.600	$.245	$.095	$.340

Corporate PC (Political Correctness) Scale

Yesterday morning, we learned of PC-driven news from two of Americans largest corporations. 

Starbucks announced its goal to eliminate plastic straws from all its stores by 2020, while Costco said it would ditch the Polish hotdog in favor of a fruit bowl and a plant-based protein salad.

More and more corporate decisions are being driven by political correctness and perceived public opinion rather than the bottom line.  Many say doing the right thing will always bolster the bottom line, but what is the “right thing?”

On the PC scale, from reasonable to seriously crazy (cray cray), I’m cool with ditching the plastic straws but not those sausages that I need to chow down on while waiting for my wife to tell me the damage after all our items are rung up.

Earnings

This morning, the International House of Pancakes returned to its IHOP name as management says “just kidding” about the burger thing.  That move might have been a marketing ploy or might have been intentional and didn’t work.   Companies make moves all the time to move the needle, but I worry when decisions are too embedded in political correctness.

PepsiCo reported mixed results, but the street is impressed with organic growth.

• Frito Lay +4.0%
• Europe & Sub Sahara Africa +11%
• North American beverages -1%

 

Comments

Yes. Their role is to sell services/provide goods. Not to lecture me about my choices/opinions. Kenna on 7/10/2018 9:56:35 AM

Dude seriously, if Costco gets rid of the hotdog I will revolt! At least they will still have the pizza, but the hotdog rocks! They will be tar and feathered if they do that!!! Unbelievable..... Chris DeGhelder on 7/10/2018 8:37:00 PM

Yes, we are tired of PC environment and the libs trying to tell the TAX payors how they know what's best for me ! Do not back down to ALL or 90% of the government controlled media, you are WINNING for us the TAX payors. $7 trillion in market appreciation split between all TAX payors, 401k, pension and so on ! In reference to trade, ask the next opposition to it when was the last time they purchased 10 tons of steel to build a skyscraper in NY ! O'Yea, tell all Trump haters to donate the 30% appreciation in the investment account to illegal immigration to show there commitment to the cause. Ol Texas saying, money talks bullshit walks !! The Trumpocrats will March on !!! Great work Charles, its easy put yourself in the TAX PAYORS position !! Tax payors have no RACE !!!!!! Kyle Canant on 7/10/2018 11:07:47 PM

Unfortunately it is not for others. For me I am very upset at Banks and others such as Bank of America re-adjusting our constitution and subverting our rights. I for one shop and buy stocks etc. based on their "common sense". That may not help my bottom line but I am not about to help companies or other institutions bring the country down. I wish more people thought and bought like me and used 2nd Vote and other common sense but it doesn't look like people care - how unfortunate. Apple, FaceBook, Twitter, Netflix etc. are going to really "curtail" free speech this election - they will use the "seek forgiveness rather than permission" excuse once again - "oh I'm sorry". Val M on 7/16/2018 1:07:19 PM

Definitely. Ed on 7/16/2018 2:59:19 PM

Political correctness does not care about integrity of a process, only getting their desired outcome. Therefore it is not an reliable indicator at all unless it is in a negative direction. Steven F Rushton on 7/23/2018 11:13:46 AM

Yes. PC kills freedoms, SPEECH, dating rituals, & overall education as censorship kills history by taking out facts, replacing with opinion based on agendas. Learn from history the good, the bad, the ugly, & grow to appreciate it. J on 7/30/2018 11:57:09 AM

yes any political correctness is a communist tyrannical witch hunt. It is dangerous. philip hardinger on 7/31/2018 10:24:14 AM

only the ignorant use "Dude" phardinger@msn.com on 7/31/2018 10:29:40 AM

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