WELCOME

Welcome and thank you for visiting!

The charts, graphs and comments in my Trading Blog represent my technical analysis and observations of a variety of world markets...
* Major World Market Indices * Futures Markets * U.S. Sectors and ETFs * Commodities * U.S. Bonds * Forex

N.B.
* The content in my articles is time-sensitive. Each one shows the date and time (New York ET) that I publish them. By the time you read them, market conditions may be quite different than that which is described in my posts, and upon which my analyses are based at that time.
* My posts are also re-published by several other websites and I have no control as to when their editors do so, or for the accuracy in their editing and reproduction of my content.
* In answer to this often-asked question, please be advised that I do not post articles from other writers on my site.
* From time to time, I will add updated market information and charts to some of my articles, so it's worth checking back here occasionally for the latest analyses.

DISCLAIMER: All the information contained within my posts are my opinions only and none of it may be construed as financial or trading advice...please read my full Disclaimer at this link.

Dots

* If the dots don't connect, gather more dots until they do...or, just follow the $$$...

Loyalty

Loyalty

ECONOMIC EVENTS

 UPCOMING (MAJOR) U.S. ECONOMIC EVENTS...

***2024***
* Thurs. Nov. 7 @ 2:00 pm ET - FOMC Rate Announcement + Forecasts and @ 2:30 pm ET - Fed Chair Press Conference
* Wed. Dec. 18 @ 2:00 pm ET - FOMC Rate Announcement + Forecasts and @ 2:30 pm ET - Fed Chair Press Conference

*** CLICK HERE for link to Economic Calendars for all upcoming events.

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Markets Becoming More Defensive?

Below are a series of percentage comparison graphs of a number of markets. They compare money flow between the first week in February and so far this week.

The first graph depicts gains made for the Major Sectors during the first week in February. The Financials sector made the biggest gains that week, with no losses for any sector.


The second graph depicts gains/losses made for these Major Sectors so far this week. Note the drop in the Financials, Industrials and Materials sectors, and the increase in the Utilities and Health Care sectors...indicating a preference for more defensive stocks so far this week.


The third graph depicts gains/losses made for the Major Indices, DVY, EEM, Gold, Oil, Copper, and JNK during the first week in February. There was notable buying in EEM, DVY, and the Russell 2000, moderate buying in the Dow 30, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Copper, and tepid buying in JNK. There was selling in Gold and Oil.


The fourth graph depicts gains/losses made for these same markets so far this week. There was a marked increase in buying in Gold and Oil, while the Russell 2000 and Copper sold off into negative territory. Buying in the other markets continued this week, but to a greatly reduced extent. This indicates a reduced appetite in risk for equities and a greater desire for Gold and Oil (perhaps as a hedge against a potential downturn in the equities markets as they battle against some major resistance levels).


The fifth graph depicts gains/losses made in a variety of currency markets during the first week in February. The biggest gainer was the Aussie Dollar, with the U.S. Dollar declining. There was moderate buying in the Canadian Dollar and the British Pound, and mild buying in the Euro.


The sixth graph depicts gains/losses made in the same currency markets so far this week. The Euro garnered the most interest, with continued buying in the Aussie Dollar and the British Pound, and a much-reduced interest in the Canadian Dollar. The U.S. Dollar continued its decline...however, I would note that in both Week 1 and so far in Week 2, the U.S. Dollar hasn't declined percentage-wise to the same extent that all the others have gained...it appears to be holding up, so far, in February...will see if this continues to the end of this week, or not. 


I'll look at these graphs again this weekend to see how these markets performed in February's Week 2 as compared with Week 1 and where the money flow ended up this week, and how the U.S. Dollar fared in comparison with other currencies.