Morning Commentary
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed in bear market territory, which means it’s down 20% from the recent peak. It also happens to be the all-time high.
The other major indices will join the bear market club this morning.
For the S&P 500, yesterday’s closing level was potentially a good support point, even if for a session or two. But now, the next big support point could be 2,416. We are now in a period of panic, which means stocks will get extremely oversold. Over the next month, many of these stocks will hit bottoms, which will seem obvious later.
Hand Holding
I remember in March 2009 when so many names were trading as if they were going out of business, and people were still selling. I can’t express my frustration for not buying Avis (CARS) at $0.40 – yes, forty cents, and then watching it rally to $69.00 by August 2014. It always feels so simple after the fact instead of in the midst of these swift selloffs clouded by the unknown.
We do know other nations have curbed the spread of coronavirus and we do know mortality rates are very low for working age folks. There is a chance warmer weather, coupled with decisive actions to mitigate the spread will also be effective. But that brings us to the economic consequences, which are dire in the short term.
From the very beginning, attempts to slow the virus have hit the stock market more than the virus itself.
Another part of stock market reaction is confidence in elected officials and institutions designed to come together to intervene during periods like this. There hasn’t been the coordinated effort many thought would happen last week, and nations have differing views on what works and what doesn’t.
In Germany, Angela Merkel said over time, 60 to 70 percent of the population will get the virus, and there is no need to erect borders or stop the flow of folks from places like Italy. In America, President Trump has decided to ban most passenger traffic from Europe, mirroring a decision to limit passenger traffic from China early on – a move most acknowledge was prescient.
There is no doubt Wall Street wanted to hear more details on bailouts and writing checks.
Still, there is huge worries Congress will go on break without getting anything through that provides immediate relief for those most vulnerable to the deliberate stalling of the economy. That would be a shame. That would be criminal. Meanwhile, the ECB did not cut rates this morning as everyone expected. Instead, the European Central Bank is pumping money into banks in hopes those banks will lend.
The ECB is also buying €120 billion in additional assets.
European markets moved lower on the news, which is far less dovish than anticipated. But these actions might be better medicine for the ECB and European banks, which are not nearly as well-capitalized as American banks.
American Banks
Yesterday, the heads of the largest US banks underscored their fiscal strength and ability to be effective during an economic downturn. There was unanimity about helping small businesses through loans, extended payment plans and waving fees. The most important comment was “this is not a financial crisis.”
In addition, Brian Moynihan of Bank of America said activity was “still strong,” especially in mortgage areas. Another banker said millennial spending is holding up very well. JP Morgan says it’s made $26.0 billion in loans to consumers and small businesses over the last 40 days, even in Seattle.
Watching Bond Yields
Lost in yesterday’s equity sell off was the serious rally in the ten-year bond yield. Plunging yields have set the tone for the plunging stock market. So it’s really intriguing that major stock indices were hammered, as the ten year yield rallied 10% ,and the spread with the two year yield widened significantly.
Valuations are cheaper and will get cheaper.
Stock Equity Valuations |
(trailing) PE |
Year ago |
(forward) PE |
S&P 500 |
23.86 |
20.56 |
17.42 |
Dow Jones Industrial Average |
18.31 |
17.89 |
16.69 |
NASDAQ 100 |
26.31 |
21.95 |
22.15 |
Dow Jones Transportation |
14.11 |
16.01 |
12.60 |
Dow Jones Utilities |
22.09 |
25.53 |
21.50 |
Comments |
Charles, Who are the buyers if all the equites being sold ? Everyone always speaks of the sellers but no mention of the buyers , eh ? Robert Evans on 3/12/2020 10:33:54 AM |
Govt's are exacerbating the economic debacle that is occurring and for what? They cannot stop the virus and in the end maybe according some HC experts 70 million americans will contract the virus and the majority will recover just fine. If we only had the courage to say take precautions but carry on the chances of dying from the Coronavirus are very very remote for healthy folks. For those who do contract the virus and have a high risk we will provide maximum care and support. Garro on 3/12/2020 10:41:24 AM |
Need to remember: for every seller, there is a buyer. Who are these buyers?? Timothy J Ward on 3/12/2020 10:47:37 AM |
They are not individual investors - as Wall Street works feverishly to press the notion individuals still aren;t afraid enough billionaire hedge fund guys that were way under water are no positioned to cover (buy stocks) and set for a huge year. CP Charles Payne on 3/13/2020 5:46:24 AM |
Thanks for being rational! Ronald Palastro on 3/12/2020 11:16:52 AM |
Thank you. CP Charles Payne on 3/13/2020 5:47:06 AM |
Tweet |
3/28/2024 1:39 PM | Fruitful Quarter |
3/28/2024 9:50 AM | LISTEN TO THE MARKET |
3/27/2024 1:40 PM | Mostly Higher |
3/27/2024 9:32 AM | U-TURN? |
3/26/2024 1:08 PM | Everything Is Up |
3/26/2024 9:42 AM | TAPPED OUT (I HOPE YOU AT LEAST GOT A T-SHIRT) |
3/25/2024 1:33 PM | Not A Mutiny |
3/25/2024 9:35 AM | STAYING THE COURSE…BEYOND TECH |
3/22/2024 12:56 PM | Toll on Americans |
3/22/2024 9:38 AM | A TAD TIRED |
3/21/2024 1:55 PM | Building on Gains |
3/21/2024 9:30 AM | A COMFORTING FED |
3/20/2024 1:33 PM | Pivotal Moment |
3/20/2024 10:00 AM | HERE COMES THE FED |
3/19/2024 1:33 PM | Picking Up Steam |
3/19/2024 9:35 AM | RUMBLINGS IN THE BOND MARKET |
3/18/2024 1:48 PM | Mag 7 is Back |
3/18/2024 9:39 AM | THE PARTY IN SAN JOSE WILL BE LIT |
3/15/2024 1:38 PM | Realtors Settle |
3/15/2024 9:33 AM | AN UNEASY PAUSE |
3/14/2024 1:43 PM | Sticky Inflation |
3/14/2024 9:48 AM | GOING TO A GO-GO |
3/13/2024 2:16 PM | Taking a Breather |
3/13/2024 9:51 AM | ALL SO EPIC |
3/12/2024 1:42 PM | Marching Higher |
More commentary archives |
Home |
Products & Services |
Education |
In The Media |
Help |
About Us |
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | All Rights Reserved.
|