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May 11, 2008
Week in Review #19 (2008-05-11)
Apologies to the many that write but have to go without answers. When you are taking a break, as I am, there are only so many hours to blog.
As dinner waits, I’ll have to cut short the usual opening remarks. Otherwise the Week In Review is pretty much as usual.
There is a serious commodity bubble building in the market here. The economy cannot take much more of the rising prices. Less fortunate people than ourselves are struggling to survive.
They too have mothers and are mothers with children to feed, clothe, educate and protect. Yes, we who are well-to-do can celebrate ours, but who is looking after the rest?
Global Economics Review
The key links between macro-economic data and the equity market showed up again in the first part of this month as the deteriorating state of US manufacturing (fewer orders, worker lay-offs, plant closings, etc) hit the shares of Fedex (FDX -6.7%) and UPS (UPS -4.1%). Now, we’ll have to see if the incredible run-up this year in the Trucking index is sustainable.
Here are the key US economic reports and the Econoday analysis from last week.
US ISM non-manufacturing survey for April. The business activity index, equivalent to a production index, slipped -1.3 points to 50.9. New orders slipped 0.1 to 50.1. Just remember that 1-800-HELP doesn’t last forever.US Productivity and Costs report for Q1 unadjusted. Before the report was released I wrote: “I say this report will be nonsense. Wait til next month and the month after to see the adjustments.” The report stated that productivity for the 1Q08 gained an annualized +2.2%, up from 4Q07’s annualized gain of +1.8%. I say if you lay off enough people, these stats will look really impressive. Like me—doing the job of 10 people. (LOL)
US Existing Home Sales Index for March. Before the report was released, I wrote: “Watch for the spin here. Banks are in trouble if this report looks bad...” After the report, Econoday opined: “New home sales showed a staggering 37 percent year-on-year decline in March.” Ergo, the Financials were smashed -6.1% this week. Mortgage providers Countrywide (CFC -20.4%), Fannie (FNM -5.7%), and Freddie (FRE -7.2%) all plunged. Bankers like UBS (UBS -10.8%), Citi (C -10.5%), Morgan Stanley (MS -8.7%), Merrill Lynch (MER -8.1%) and Lehman Bros (LEH -7.4%) had miserable weeks.
So, you tell me when the housing industry troubles are over and I’ll tell you when the Financials and Consumer Cyclicals (XLY -2.98% W/W) will take charge of this market and lead it to a new long-term Bull phase.
Interesting story came to me from an associate in San Diego. In the lobby of his bank (Bank of America BAC) there had been a 60-foot sign that promoted $500,000 mortgages to people who had no federal tax i.d. Bedroom communities were built. Now those bedrooms and kitchen sinks and everything else that can be stripped from a house have been rolling down the Interstate in a convoy on their way to Mexico. Did nobody see this coming? Is everybody that dumb?
Did you want to know why those financially-engineered asset-backed securitized investment vehicles are worthless? This was a scam from the beginning. Now, there is even a scam on top of a scam as bankers are doing write-downs of worthless holdings instead of write-offs, which would destroy their capital, putting them below their reserve requirements. To make it even sicker, they even pay toady Talking Heads to tell the audiences on Financial Entertainment Television that in a year or two these assets will be revalued higher, providing instant profits to the banks. This stuff is truly sick. America is in deep trouble unless the legislators and regulators wake up and take action.
US International Trade Deficit for March. The March number was an unexpected drop. Then again, Americans can no longer afford imported cars and energy.
The Bank of England and the European Central Bank both decided to keep monetary policy unchanged in their meetings on Thursday. That weakened the trade-weighted $USD and sent oil and gold soaring, again.
The heat is now on Bernanke. The Professor, being a smart cookie (or so I’m told), may soon have to raise rates. A lot of capital flowed out of T-Bills this week and into 2- and 5-year Treasuries, so that helps. But the T-Bill rate is still 1.60% vs the Fed Rate at 2.00%, which needs to be closer before the Fed can raise.
Clearly, they’d like to. Nobody, including the Professor’s family, wants to pay $4 for a gallon of gas—unless, of course, their employment income doubles (helping chase inflation higher).
So much for last week, this was another bad one. Let’s look ahead. Here is next week’s economic calendar:
US Treasury Budget for April. Right before 1-800-HELP. Anyway, this should be interesting.I’m sure the Treasury Secretary’s expenses-paid vacation to the Far East in April—the Great Congressional Hearing Avoidance Tour, I called it—is hidden in the billion dollar line items that can’t be managed off-balance sheet.
US Import and Export Prices for April. Did you note how right after the Treasury Secretary took office the import prices collapsed and stayed down for a year? What chicanery. Now the data is beginning to reflect the facts of life in America.
Conversation from a couple months ago: “$4 gas, Mr. President”. “Really, I hadn’t heard that”. Hollywood doesn’t need comedy writers.
US Retail Sales for April. A growing concern… then bankruptcy. Retail stores are counting on 1-800-HELP to stay alive.
US Business Inventories for March. If a company wants to show a profit, they build their inventories. The problem is, they have to sell it.
When you see rising inventories in an unhealthy economy, and you hold the stock, consider selling it.
US Consumer Price Index for March. I suppose if we didn’t need to eat or fuel our homes or drive to work, we could be satisfied with the so-called core rate. Alas, there is a part of life in America that is real. Unlike reality TV, the average American knows what’s like to be a Survivor.
Isn’t it funny that Survivor’s first winner is currently in prison for tax evasion? Tough living in the real world! No games there when it comes to money.
Did you notice that all this reality TV stuff began the year George Bush first took office? Eight years later, and people are looking for change. Hahaha. Coming soon: Reality TV 2.New York Fed survey for May of manufacturing in NY. Can we really trust the New York Fed? Did manufacturing really stabilize in April?
Philadelphia Fed survey for May of manufacturing in the region.
US Industrial Production Index (mines, factories, utilities) for April. If production is down and construction is down, there is a reason the whole economy is weak.
US Housing Starts for April. It’s been a tough two years (look at that chart), and there is enough inventory of empty houses that have been boarded up to last for several years.
It was not long after I boldly challenged CNBC to save the tapes of their “Crossing America Hyping Real Estate at the Cycle Top Tour” that the real estate market crashed. I guess if they didn’t have Cartoon Cramer, the advertising budget might not be enough to carry the network. People are looking for real TV, not reality TV…
Bill Cara: Miami real-estate boom or bubble? Mon., May 16, 2005 ... Please, Bill, save the tape. It was a classic study in bubbleconomics. Let's play that tape a year from now. Yes, I love Florida's Gold Coast. ...Bill Cara: Hey Bill Griffeth, did you save that tape?, Mon., May 15, 2006...
15 May 2006 ... Tomorrow is the anniversary of your interview of realtors on Florida's Gold Coast, and I asked you to please save that tape. ...
The Reuter's/University of Michigan's Consumer sentiment index for May. This is the new American dance, “The Paulson-Bernanke Limbo”. How low can they go with US rates before the people of the world rebel at the high cost of commodities?
The economic issues that Americans are struggling with are global in scope.
Weekly International Economic Report .
(From last week’s WIR)
It’s amazing to me that central bankers can say they are putting the screws to inflation as Job #1, but in fact are doing just the opposite. These people need to be strapped to lie detector apparatus when they speak.
Check the international stock exchanges’ Week and Y/Y losses. If their local and regional economies were as strong and vibrant as you have been led to believe, those minuses would be pluses.
But, who’s counting anyway? It’s only monopoly money. :-)
US Equity Markets Review
DJIA stockcharts.com chart
A week ago there were 23 of the Dow 30 stocks up, 7 down. I wrote: “Party hard my friends; Dow Theory may say otherwise, but this is still a Bear market.”
This week: 24 down and 6 up.
The DJIA, S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite dropped -2.4%, -1.8% and -1.3% respectively.
NASDAQ Composite ino.com chart
NASDAQ Composite stockcharts.com chart
Microsoft! (MSFT) said they no longer want to deal with those yahoos at Yahoo! (YHOO). Good on them, but they will be back—with a lower bid.
MSFT was one of the six winning Dow stocks this week, along with Hewlett-Packard and IBM. So the tech-heavy NASDAQ dropped a little less than the other indexes.
Here is the list of the ten highest-weighted non-financial stocks in the Nasdaq Composite. Put them in a watchlist (see Google Finance Portfolio) and watch them like a hawk. If you want, add a couple like SNDK and ADBE:
AAPL MSFT GOOG QCOM RIMM CSCO INTC ORCL GILD EBAY
Daily RSI-7 for the Nasdaq 100 Big-10
The US equity market Sector ETF Summary
This week, there were 2 sectors up and 8 down. A week ago, it was 8 up and 2 down, and I wrote: “Turnaround from a week earlier and everybody seems to be saying the next Bull market has started. Let’s wait a couple weeks.”
Anyway, let’s agree that it’s a Bear market. We could even agree that it will be that until (i) Industrial Production and Real Estate Construction turn around, and (ii) Humungous Bank & Broker (HB&B) starts writing off assets and accordingly restocks their capital base, if they can.
Here’s the SPY Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
SPY Monthly data:

SPY Weekly data:

SPY Daily data:

The tables I now show are for eleven GICS Sector Index Funds (ETF’s), including two for Technology (XLK and SMH), for a total of ten GICS sectors. They cover the full spectrum of the US equity market.
Table 1: Cara ETF List is sorted by price performance Week over Week (W/W), i.e. 1W%N.
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
You can do this table yourself by entering the following string into the Summary window at Billcara2.com and then clicking on the link for Performance. SPY XLE XLB XLI XLY XLP IYH XLF XLK SMH IYZ XLU . You can also add more ETF’s – up to 30 in total.
For a list of components to many ETFs, go to the AMEX.com web site, and click on ETF’s.
10 (energy: XLE)

15 (basic materials: XLB)

20 (industrial: XLI)

25 (consumer discretionary: XLY)

30 (consumer staples: XLP)

35 (healthcare: IYH)

40 (financial: XLF)

45 (technology, semiconductor: SMH)

50 (telecom: IYZ)

55 (utilities: XLU)

Individual Sector ETF Review
I now use XLK for the Tech sector and revert to a total of ten (10) sectors, but also include Semiconductors (SMH) because it is my bellwether on the economy.
Sector 10 (energy: XLE, IYE, VDE, OIH, PBW and IXC)
Here’s the XLE Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
XLE Monthly data:

XLE Weekly data:

XLE Daily data:

Table 2: Senior oil & gas equities
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
Energy (XLE +4.5% W/W with a small loss on Friday) plus a week ago Friday’s gain of +1.89% means that XLE jumped +6.4% in five trading sessions.
Crude Oil ($WTIC +8.29% W/W) went ballistic. With the prior Friday’s move of +3.38%, that is a gain of +11.7% in just six trading sessions, which is simply ridiculous. The $USD has not fallen much at all over those six sessions, and the economic fundamentals have not improved, and probably worsened. This is what happens when certain people corner markets and then speculators jump aboard.
A week ago, I wrote: “Big gain on Friday; bigger loss the rest of the week. Commodity prices are sinking, and I expect that to continue.” What we discovered is that the Fed was printing money massively. That sent oil, platinum and palladium soaring the previous Friday. Then this week, the European Central Bank and Bank of England as well as the central bank of Australia all held the line on rate cuts, and that sunk the $USD a bit, but flooded capital into Energy and also Basic Materials, chasing inflation.
The Cdns (ECA +11.9%, IMO +4.3% and SU +11.9%) were hot. But PetroChina was not (PTR -10.5%). The data for PetroBrazil is incorrect. There was a 2:1 stock split, which halved the price. Google Finance picked that up immediately, but Yahoo Finance did not. Kudo’s to Google Finance.
How high can the oil price go is anybody’s guess! As long as the Bernanke-Paulson team have things under control, I’m sure they’ll put it where certain people want it.
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production -Canada
Sector 15 (basic materials: IYM, XLB, IGE and VAW)
Here’s the XLB Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
XLB Monthly data:

XLB Weekly data:

XLB Daily data:

Table 3: Senior metals and steel equities:
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
Basic Materials (XLB +2.42%) was the other winning sector this week in what resulted in a totally bifurcated market. Traders were buying the inflation beneficiaries and selling everything else. Interesting that they took capital out of T-Bills and jumped into 2- and 5-year notes that pay less than inflation.
The strong stocks were TCK +10.1%, AA +8.1% and MT +6.1%.
Sector 20 (industrial: IYJ, XLI, VIS, and IYT)
Here’s the XLI Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
XLI Monthly data:

XLI Weekly data:

XLI Daily data:

Table 4: Senior capital goods makers and transportation:
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
Except for FLR (+7.3%), most of the rest on my Industrials watchlist (XLI -1.67% W/W) were losers.
Sector 25 (consumer discretionary: XLY, IYC and VCR)
Here’s the XLY Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
XLY Monthly data:

XLY Weekly data:

XLY Daily data:

Table 5: Senior consumer discretionary equities
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
You have to know that when fuel costs soar, the Consumer Cyclicals (XLY -2.98% W/W) will sink. So a week ago, with Crude Oil ($WTIC) off -1.86/bbl, the Carnival Cruiselines (CCL +6.3%) was strong. This week CCL dropped -5.3%.
Sector 30 (consumer staples: XLP, VDC, RTH and IYK)
Here's the XLP Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
XLP Monthly data:

XLP Weekly data:

XLP Daily data:

Table 6: Senior consumer staples equities
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
Consumer Staples (XLP -1.10% W/W). BUD was still foamy, but the rest got nailed down.
Sector 35 (healthcare: IYH, XLV, VHT, IXJ, and IBB)
Here’s the IYH Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
IYH Monthly data:

IYH Weekly data:

IYH Daily data:

Table 7: Senior healthcare equities
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
Not much happening this week, again as IYH dropped -1.90%. WPT and DNA had small gains.
Sector 40 (financial: IYG, IYF, XLF, VFH, IXG, VNQ, RWR, IYR, and ICF)
Here’s the XLF Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
XLF Monthly data:

XLF Weekly data:

XLF Daily data:

Table 8: Senior financial company equities
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
The big loser this week were the Financials (XLF -6.07% W/W).
Bankers like UBS (UBS -10.8%), Citi (C -10.5%), Morgan Stanley (MS -8.7%), Merrill Lynch (MER -8.1%) and Lehman Bros (LEH -7.4%) had miserable weeks.
If it were not for Financials, the rest of the market would have had small gains. Then again, it’s all about money. The banks have none, and when the Fed prints more, the Energy and Basic Materials rock and roll.
Sector 45 (technology: IGM, IGV, IGW, XLK, VGT, IYW, IGN, IXN, MTK and SMH)
Here’s the SMH Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
SMH Monthly data:

SMH Weekly data:

SMH Daily data:

Here’s the XLK Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
XLK Monthly data:

XLK Weekly data:

XLK Daily data:

Table 9: Senior technology equities
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
Sector 50 (telecom: IYZ, VOX and IXP)
Tech (XLK -1.17%) was a loser, but the Semi-conductors (SMH -0.16%) were less of a loser.
AAPL (+1.4%) was a winner. SanDisk (SNDK) was ok—didn’t pull back after the prior week’s big gains in spite of broad market weakness.
Here’s the IYZ Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
IYZ Monthly data:

IYZ Weekly data:

IYZ Daily data:

Telecom (IYZ -1.00% W/W) dipped after being up +4.8% the previous week and where the IYZ was #1 for two weeks in a row.
VZ -4.2% W/W followed a week of +6.9%. T -3.8% followed +4.0% the week earlier. So, what you make one week, you lose the next.
Sector 55 (utilities: IDU, XLU, and VPU)
Here’s the XLU Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:
XLU Monthly data:

XLU Weekly data:

XLU Daily data:

Utilities (XLU -2.41% W/W) had a tough week.
Bonds & Yields Review
Table 10: US Treasury Yields
| Maturity | Yield | Yesterday | Last Week | Last Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Month | 1.60 | 1.58 | 1.44 | 1.22 |
| 6 Month | 1.68 | 1.66 | 1.63 | 1.46 |
| 2 Year | 2.24 | 2.21 | 2.45 | 1.76 |
| 3 Year | 2.18 | 2.15 | 2.37 | 1.69 |
| 5 Year | 2.96 | 2.97 | 3.17 | 2.60 |
| 10 Year | 3.77 | 3.78 | 3.86 | 3.48 |
| 30 Year | 4.52 | 4.54 | 4.58 | 4.32 |
| Maturity | Yield | Yesterday | Last Week | Last Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2yr AA | 2.45 | 2.45 | 2.39 | 2.48 |
| 2yr AAA | 2.45 | 2.49 | 2.28 | 2.34 |
| 2yr A | 2.64 | 2.72 | 2.74 | 2.98 |
| 5yr AAA | 3.07 | 3.05 | 2.92 | 3.11 |
| 5yr AA | 3.11 | 3.13 | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| 5yr A | 3.45 | 3.48 | 3.49 | 3.41 |
| 10yr AAA | 3.72 | 3.69 | 3.70 | 3.70 |
| 10yr AA | 4.06 | 3.77 | 3.79 | 3.60 |
| 10yr A | 4.13 | 3.87 | 3.79 | 4.04 |
| 20yr AAA | 4.82 | 4.63 | 4.64 | 4.47 |
| 20yr AA | 4.59 | 4.39 | 4.34 | 4.66 |
| 20yr A | 4.73 | 4.53 | 4.50 | 4.56 |
| Maturity | Yield | Yesterday | Last Week | Last Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2yr AA | 3.97 | 3.99 | 4.09 | 3.75 |
| 2yr A | 3.72 | 3.64 | 3.75 | 3.62 |
| 5yr AAA | 4.21 | 4.11 | 4.46 | 3.94 |
| 5yr AA | 4.60 | 4.65 | 4.82 | 4.44 |
| 5yr A | 4.81 | 4.86 | 4.88 | 5.10 |
| 10yr AAA | 5.53 | 5.29 | 5.69 | 5.06 |
| 10yr AA | 5.83 | 5.81 | 5.81 | 5.68 |
| 10yr A | 5.50 | 5.48 | 5.46 | 5.33 |
| 20yr AAA | 6.04 | 6.06 | 6.03 | 6.44 |
| 20yr AA | 5.74 | 5.69 | 5.97 | 6.08 |
| 20yr A | 6.30 | 6.32 | 6.28 | 6.31 |
The T-Bill yields have lifted from 1.29% to 1.44% to 1.60% in two weeks. Is the economy gaining strength or is capital making a move before Professor Fed Head starts to raise rates?
Of course, rates need to be headed higher if inflation soars like this.
Here is the $USB 30-year Treasury Bond chart.
Interest rates and bond yields.


Interactive Daily data charts:


Interactive Chart of Interest rates and bond yields.
The TLT gained +0.97% W/W, but the inflation-proof (cough!) TIPS gained more (+1.42%.
For the past 12 months, the TIP is up +7.34% and the TLT up +4.77%.
US Bond Funds -- Interactive Monthly Data Charts
SHY Monthly data series chart:
IEF Monthly data series chart:
TLT Monthly data series chart:
AGG Monthly data series chart:
LQD Monthly data series chart:
TIP Monthly data series chart:
US Bond Funds -- Interactive Weekly Data Charts
SHY Weekly data series chart:
IEF Weekly data series chart:
TLT Weekly data series chart:
AGG Weekly data series chart:
LQD Weekly data series chart:
TIP Weekly data series chart:
US Bond Funds -- Interactive Daily Data Charts
SHY Daily data series chart:
IEF Daily data series chart:
TLT Daily data series chart:
AGG Daily data series chart:
LQD Daily data series chart:
TIP Daily data series chart:
Table 11: Interest-sensitive securities
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
The big three of the mortgage suppliers, CFC, FNM and FRE, are down -88.5%, -55.7% and -62.7% respectively over the past year. Producing performance like that should not entitle their CEO’s to earn mega millions in bonuses. They should be strung up instead.
Consumer Finance -USA -- Interactive Weekly Data Charts
Consumer Finance -USA -- Interactive Daily Data Charts
Countrywide (CFC) had some jump a week earlier (+2.40%). This week, it was a loss of -20.40%.
Commodities Review
The $CRB gained +4.74% W/W to close at 427.48.
A week ago, I wrote: “Every time CRB looks ready to plunge down through the 50d MA, Crude Oil picks up. The stories come mostly from pipeline issues, rebel action, warship maneuvers, etc. This should be a Hollywood script.”
The game by smart insiders may be to crank the commodity group first and then sell it off slowly to switch into the other stocks in trying to kick-start the market.
Interactive Chart of Weekly CRB Commodities Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily CRB Commodities Index:

Oil Review
$WTIC (US Light Sweet Crude called West Texas Intermediate) screamed to a gain of +$9.64/bbl this week, closing at 125.96.
“How many remember $51/bbl in January 2007?”
The 50d MA for $WTIC is now at 110.28 (amazing!), and the 200d MA is 92.67.
Here is the e-miNY Dec-07 Crude Oil chart.
Interactive Chart of Weekly Crude Oil:

Interactive Chart of Daily Crude Oil:

Gold & Precious Metals Review
$GOLD gained +$27.80/oz this week (+3.24%), closing at 885.80, but two weeks earlier lost -25.50/oz (-2.79% W/W) and one week earlier the loss was -31.70/oz (-3.56%).
The 50-day MA for $GOLD is now 929.32, and the 200d MA is 828.75. So the current price is well below the 50-day MA, and above the 200d MA.
Interactive Chart of Weekly Gold EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily Gold EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive chart of recent trading for the Gold Bullion index.
Spot silver chart for the week
This week, $SILVER gained +$0.44 (+2.70%) to close at 16.91.
$SILVER also had a gain of +1.60% on the previous Friday.
“Let me remind you that $SILVER was $21.44 just a few weeks ago.”
For $SILVER, the 50d MA is now 18.14, and the 200d MA is 15.43. The current price is below the 50-day MA, and above the 200d MA.
Interactive Chart of Weekly Silver EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily Silver EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive chart of the Silver Bullion index.
This week $PLAT gained +188.10/oz (+9.84%) to close at 2099.80.
The problem is that a week earlier, $PLATINUM lost -56.30/oz (-2.86%) and the week before that the loss was -103.30 (-4.99%) to $1968.00. At that point, the metal had suffered nine weeks of losses from a peak of $2299.00 in March, and the goldbugs were not happy.
The 50-day MA is 2027.04 and the 200-day MA is 1627.37. Note that the current price is now above the 50-day MA.
Spot platinum chart for the week
Interactive Chart of Weekly Platinum EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily Platinum EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive chart of the Platinum metal index.
$PALLADIUM gained +$23.40/oz (+5.52%) to close at 447.25. The prior week’s losses were -28.95 (-6.39%) and -24.35/oz.
The 50-day MA is now 470.78 and the 200-day MA is 401.28. Note that the current price (447.25) is now well above the 200-day MA, and there was a low of just 403.00 a week earlier.
Spot palladium chart for the week
Interactive Chart of Weekly Palladium EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily Palladium EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive chart of the Palladium metal index.
This week, $COPPER lost -10.40 (-2.72%) to close at 371.65. A week earlier the loss was -9.05 (-2.31%). On the prior Friday, $COPPER had a loss of -2.34%.
The 50-day MA for $COPPER is now 384.77 (the current price is now lower) and the 200-day MA is 347.41.
I think the 50d MA is a battleground for traders.
Interactive Chart of Weekly Copper EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily Copper EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive chart of the Copper metal index.
Table 12: Senior gold equities
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
The $XAU Goldminers index lifted +6.26% to 179.63.
The better performers included AU +17.5%, AUY +14.7%, EGO +12.7% and GG +10.0%.
Kinda hard to day trade when you’re in the pool all day.
The 50d MA for $XAU is 184.63, and the 200d MA is 173.04.
To watch the moves in precious metal miners, you will have to monitor the individual stock charts, preferably in real-time, as follows:
NEM ABX AU GFI GG HMY AUY KGC BVN
Interactive Daily data
Interactive Weekly data
MDG LIHRY AEM BGO IAG EGO RGLD GOLD CDE GRS
Interactive Daily data
Interactive Weekly data
SSRI SIL NG KRY UXG GRZ TSE_HRG TSE_GUY TSE_AGI
Interactive Daily data
Interactive Weekly data
NXG GSS MNG DROOY MFN RNO RANGY MRB CLG
Interactive Daily data
Interactive Weekly data
Here are the key Silver miners and the SLV ETF:
SLV SIL CDE HL PAAS SSRI SLW MGN
Interactive Daily data
Interactive Weekly data
Here are the Weekly and Daily Data charts of the indexes:
Interactive Chart of Weekly U.S. Goldminers Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily U.S. Goldminers Index:

The U.S. goldminer share trust ETF trades under the ticker symbol GDX.
Here are the U.S. Goldminer ETF (GDX) index Weekly and Daily data charts:
GDX Weekly data:

GDX Daily data:

The Toronto Exchange-listed goldminer iUnits S&P/TSX Capped Gold Index ETF trades under the ticker symbol TSE:XGD. Yes, just like GDX on the AMEX, you can trade XGD on Toronto.
Here are the Weekly and Daily data charts for the TSX Goldshares (XGD) index:
Interactive Chart of XGD Weekly data:

Interactive Chart of XGD Daily data:

Forex Review
The $USD lost -0.65% to 73.05 this week.
(From last week’s blog after the $USD had a big gain) “I have been saying that for weeks now. Don’t stand in front of the US Dollar train. If Prof Bernanke needs it there, he’ll put it there. But next week, we have to wait til Thursday morning to see what his European colleagues think.”
What happened was simple mathematics: ECB, BoE and Australia’s Reserve Bank all stayed pat, so the $USD weakened.
Interactive Chart of Weekly U.S. Dollar Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily U.S. U.S. Dollar Index:

The Euro ($XEU) gained +0.31% W/W to close at 1.5480, but the gain on Friday was +0.56%, so this was clearly a reaction to the ECB.
I still think it will go down. “Falling, falling, falling.”
Interactive Chart of Weekly Euro Dollar Index, priced in USD:

Interactive Chart of Daily Euro Dollar Index, priced in USD:

The Pound was soft again (-0.96% W/W), closing at 1.9532.
The 50-day MA and 200-day MA are at 198.74 and 200.85 respectively.
Weekly British Pound Index:

Daily British Pound Index:

Weekly Japanese Yen Index:
The Japanese Yen ($XJY) gained +2.40% W/W to 97.19.
The Yen’s 50-day MA is 97.89 and the 200-day MA is 91.15.

Daily Japanese Yen Index:

The Loonie (Cdn Dollar) gained +1.34% this week to close Friday at 99.42.
The 50-day MA and 200-day MA is at 99.23 and 99.35 respectively, which means the current price (98.42) is now above both whereas a week ago it was below both.
Oh, the balancing act that Canada’s Mr. Moral Hazard plays.
Weekly Canadian Dollar Index:

Daily Canadian Dollar Index:

I ought to be tracking the China Yuan here (CNY). Maybe one day I’ll get a chance to set it up.
http://stockcharts.com/charts/gallery.html?cny
International Equity Markets Review
International equities were not rocking and rolling this week.
UK FTSE down -2.02% to 6204.7 (and -11.6% over 52-weeks).
German DAX down -0.6% to 7003.17 (and -13.2% over 52-weeks).
French CAC down -0.2% to 5614.1 (and -3.9% over 52-weeks).
Aussie All-Ords up +1.5% to 5844.4 (but -9.0% over 52-weeks).
Shanghai Composite down -2.2% to 3613.5 (and -31.3% over 52-weeks).
HK Heng Seng down -4.5% to 25063.2 (and -9.9% over 52-weeks).
India’s BSE 30 down -4.9% (and -17.5% over 52-weeks).
Japan’s Nikkei 225 down -2.8% (and -10.8% over 52-weeks).
I added 16 country index charts from StockCharts.com (with their formal approval btw as long as I don’t publish too many) because I think it is important to be watching these markets move through a trend juncture together, and in relation to currency and commodity strength or weakness.
I also made some additions to the country-based ETF tables as I intend to focus more on ETF’s in 2008. In time, I will also set up tables and track the domestic market prices.
The world is now a very small one in capital markets and international business. No longer are corporations just American, British, French, German, Italian, Canadian or Japanese. Most do business internationally. We need to observe their businesses and capital market prices on a global basis.
Here is the latest session data for the exchanges of the Americas.
Here is the latest chart for the Brazilian Bovespa stock exchange in Sao Paulo.
Brazilian Bovespa stockcharts.com chart
Here is the latest session data for the Toronto Stock Exchange composite index.
Toronto 300 stockcharts.com chart
Toronto CDNX stockcharts.com chart
Europe
Here is the latest session data for the bourses of Europe.
Here is the latest session data for the London stock exchange FTSE.
FTSE 100 stockcharts.com chart
Here is the latest session data for the German DAX.
Here is the latest session data for the French CAC 40.
Here is the latest session data for the Milan Italy stock exchange MIBTEL.
Italian Milan Index stockcharts.com chart
Here is the latest session data for the Swiss market index.
Swiss Market Index stockcharts.com chart
Asia-Pacific
Here is the latest session data for the Asia-Pacific stock exchanges.
Here is the latest chart for the Japanese Nikkei 225 index.
Tokyo Nikkei 225 Index stockcharts.com chart
Here is the latest chart for the Singapore index .
Singapore Straits Times Index stockcharts.com chart
Here is the latest chart for the Shanghai Composite index .
Shanghai Composite Index stockcharts.com chart
Here is the latest chart for the Hong Kong Hang Seng index .
Hong Kong Hang Seng stockcharts.com chart
Here is the latest chart for the India BSE 30 index .
Mumbai BSE 30 Sensex Index stockcharts.com chart
Here is the latest chart for the Australian All Ordinaries index .
Sydney All Ordinaries Index stockcharts.com chart
Russia (RTS) stockcharts.com chart
Table 13: International equities via an ETF perspective (in $USD)
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
Japanese equity market ETF: EWJ
Here is the Japanese (EWJ) equity market ETF Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:


U.K. equity market ETF
Here is the United Kingdom (EWU) equity market ETF Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:

EWU Daily data:

Canada’s equity market
Here is the Canadian (EWC) equity market ETF Monthly, Weekly and Daily data charts:


US Equity Markets Review
The usual game was played. First Bernanke cranks up the Banks and then the market takes them down.
The Banks sank badly this week. Otherwise it was a rather quiet affair.
A dozen NASDAQ stocks to watch.
Here is the Monthly data chart of the Interactive Chart of Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, Dow30, and Russell 2000 (small cap) indexes.
Here is the Weekly data chart of the Interactive Chart of Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, Dow30, and Russell 2000 (small cap) indexes.
Here is the Daily data chart of the Interactive Chart of Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, Dow30, and Russell 2000 (small cap) indexes.
Table 14: Dow 30 List
| Symbol | Close | 1Day Change |
1Day %Change |
1W %Change |
2W %Change |
4W %Change |
YTD %Change |
3M %Change |
6M %Change |
12M %Change |
You can do this table yourself by entering the following string into the Summaries window at www.billcara2.com and then clicking on the link for Performance.
AA AIG AXP BA C CAT DD DIS GE GM HD HON HPQ IBM INTC JNJ JPM KO MCD MMM MO MRK MSFT PFE PG T UTX VZ WMT XOM
Here are the links to interactive Dow charts from Billcara2.com that I broke into groups of ten, which you can add technical indicators for as well. (list one) (list two) (list three)
Value Line Report(s) this past Friday
This week, Value Line reported on one Dow 30 company: Wal-Mart [GICS 30, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(WMT: Value Line Report May 9: next one is due Aug. 8)
This week, Value Line gave a three thumbs-up (the seldom seen all 1’s) for this Cara 100 company, and I do agree. Regrettably, there is a difference between a company and its stock. If you check the record, my simple little system gave a Sell Alert for WMT ($57.18) on April 30 at $57.98. Eighty cents here, eighty cents here; it all adds up. Actually, while I don’t want to trash the stock, it’s clearly a Sell.
WMT 57.98 RSI-7M: 85.44 RSI-7W: 84.52 RSI-7D: 67.78 Sell alert (trig. 1 days ago [on 2008-04-30 at $57.98, +0.00% chg], after a 6 day DZ)
The Dow 30 Company links in chronological order of next reports
Disney [GICS 25, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(DIS: Yahoo Finance file)
(DIS: StockChart chart)
(DIS: Billcara2 chart)
(DIS: ADVFN Financial Data)
(DIS: Value Line Report Feb. 15: next one is due May 16)
3M Company [GICS 20, Dow 30, Cara US 100 June 25-06]
(MMM: Yahoo Finance file)
(MMM: StockChart chart)
(MMM: Billcara2 chart)
(MMM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MMM: Value Line Report Feb. 15: next one is due May 16)
American International Group [GICS 40, Dow 30]
(AIG: Yahoo Finance file)
(AIG: StockChart chart)
(AIG: Billcara2 chart)
(AIG: ADVFN Financial Data)
(AIG: Value Line Report Feb 22: next one is due May 23)
American Express [GICS 40, Dow 30]
(AXP: Yahoo Finance file)
(AXP: StockChart chart)
(AXP: Billcara2 chart)
(AXP: ADVFN Financial Data)
(AXP: Value Line Report Feb 22: next one is due May 23)
Bank of America [GICS 40, Dow 30]
(BAC: Yahoo Finance file)
(BAC: StockChart chart)
(BAC: Billcara2 chart)
(BAC: ADVFN Financial Data)
(BAC: Value Line Report Feb. 22: next one is due May 23)
Citigroup [GICS 40, Dow 30]
(C: Yahoo Finance file)
(C: StockChart chart)
(C: Billcara2 chart)
(C: ADVFN Financial Data)
(C: Value Line Report Feb 22: next one is due May 23)
JP Morgan [GICS 40, Dow 30]
(JPM: Yahoo Finance file)
(JPM: StockChart chart)
(JPM: Billcara2 chart)
(JPM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(JPM: Value Line Report Feb 22: next one is due May 23)
Microsoft [GICS 45, Dow 30]
(MSFT: Yahoo Finance file)
(MSFT: StockChart chart)
(MSFT: Billcara2 chart)
(MSFT: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MSFT: Value Line Report Feb 22: next one is due May 23)
General Motors [GICS 25, Dow 30]
(GM: Yahoo Finance file)
(GM: StockChart chart)
(GM: Billcara2 chart)
(GM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(GM: Value Line Report Feb. 29: next one is due May 30)
Johnson & Johnson [GICS 35, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(JNJ: Yahoo Finance file)
(JNJ: StockChart chart)
(JNJ: Billcara2 chart)
(JNJ: ADVFN Financial Data)
(JNJ: Value Line Report Feb. 29: next one is due May 30)
McDonalds [GICS 30, Dow 30]
(MCD: Yahoo Finance file)
(MCD: StockChart chart)
(MCD: Billcara2 chart)
(MCD: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MCD: Value Line Report Mar. 7: next one is due Jun. 6)
Chevron Corp [GICS 10, Dow 30]
(CVX: Yahoo Finance file)
(CVX: StockChart chart)
(CVX: Billcara2 chart)
(CVX: ADVFN Financial Data)
(CVX: Value Line Report Mar. 14: next one is due Jun. 13)
ExxonMobil [GICS 10, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(XOM: Yahoo Finance file)
(XOM: StockChart chart)
(XOM: Billcara2 chart)
(XOM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(XOM: Value Line Report Mar. 14: next one is due Jun. 13)
Boeing Co [GICS 20, Dow 30. Cara 100]
(BA: Yahoo Finance file)
(BA: StockChart chart)
(BA: Billcara2 chart)
(BA: ADVFN Financial Data)
(BA: Value Line Report Mar. 21: next one is due Jun. 20)
AT&T [GICS 50, Dow 30]
(T: Yahoo Finance file)
(T: StockChart chart)
(T: Billcara2 chart)
(T: ADVFN Financial Data)
(T: Value Line Report Mar. 28: next one is due Jun. 27)
Verizon [GICS 50, Dow 30]
(VZ: Yahoo Finance file)
(VZ: StockChart chart)
(VZ: Billcara2 chart)
(VZ: ADVFN Financial Data)
(VZ: Value Line Report Mar. 28: next one is due Jun. 27)
Procter & Gamble Co. [GICS 30, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(PG: Yahoo Finance file)
(PG: StockChart chart)
(PG: Billcara2 chart)
(PG: ADVFN Financial Data)
(PG: Value Line Report Jan. 4: next one is due Apr. 4)
Home Depot [GICS 25, Dow 30]
(HD: Yahoo Finance file)
(HD: StockChart chart)
(HD: Billcara2 chart)
(HD: ADVFN Financial Data)
(HD: Value Line Report Jan. 4: next one is due Apr. 4)
General Electric [GICS 20, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(GE: Yahoo Finance file)
(GE: StockChart chart)
(GE: Billcara2 chart)
(GE: ADVFN Financial Data)
(GE: Value Line Report Apr. 11: next one is due Jul. 11)
Hewlett-Packard [GICS 45, Dow 30]
(HPQ: Yahoo Finance file)
(HPQ: StockChart chart)
(HPQ: Billcara2 chart)
(HPQ: ADVFN Financial Data)
(HPQ: Value Line Report Apr. 11: next one is due Jul. 11)
IBM [GICS 45, Dow 30]
(IBM: Yahoo Finance file)
(IBM: StockChart chart)
(IBM: Billcara2 chart)
(IBM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(IBM: Value Line Report Apr. 11: next one is due Jul. 11)
Intel [GICS 45, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(INTC: Yahoo Finance file)
(INTC: StockChart chart)
(INTC: Billcara2 chart)
(INTC: ADVFN Financial Data)
(INTC: Value Line Report Apr. 11: next one is due Jul. 11)
Alcoa [GICS 15, Dow 30]
(AA: Yahoo Finance file)
(AA: StockChart chart)
(AA: Billcara2 chart)
(AA: ADVFN Financial Data)
(AA: Value Line Report Apr. 18: next one is due Jul. 18)
Dupont [GICS 15, Dow 30]
(DD: Yahoo Finance file)
(DD: StockChart chart)
(DD: Billcara2 chart)
(DD: ADVFN Financial Data)
(DD: Value Line Report Apr. 18: next one is due Jul. 18)
Merck [GICS 35, Dow 30]
(MRK: Yahoo Finance file)
(MRK: StockChart chart)
(MRK: Billcara2 chart)
(MRK: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MRK: Value Line Report Apr. 18: next one is due Jul. 18)
Pfizer [GICS 35, Dow 30]
(PFE: Yahoo Finance file)
(PFE: StockChart chart)
(PFE: Billcara2 chart)
(PFE: ADVFN Financial Data)
(PFE: Value Line Report Apr. 18: next one is due Jul. 18)
United Technologies [GICS 20, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(UTX: Yahoo Finance file)
(UTX: StockChart chart)
(UTX: Billcara2 chart)
(UTX: ADVFN Financial Data)
(UTX: Value Line Report Apr. 25: next one is due Jul. 25)
Caterpillar [GICS 20, Dow 30]
(CAT: Yahoo Finance file)
(CAT: StockChart chart)
(CAT: Billcara2 chart)
(CAT: ADVFN Financial Data)
(CAT: Value Line Report Apr. 25: next one is due Jul. 25)
Coca Cola [GICS 30, Dow 30]
(KO: Yahoo Finance file)
(KO: StockChart chart)
(KO: Billcara2 chart)
(KO: ADVFN Financial Data)
(KO: Value Line Report May 2: next one is due Aug. 1)
Wal-Mart [GICS 30, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(WMT: Yahoo Finance file)
(WMT: StockChart chart)
(WMT: Billcara2 chart)
(WMT: ADVFN Financial Data)
(WMT: Value Line Report May 9: next one is due Aug. 8)
Wrap up:
Last week in this space, I stated:
My company is getting much closer now to being able to offer advisory services to retail persons (ie, any owner of capital, large or small) who own accounts with a locally registered broker or bank that has entered into a tri partite (three-party) agreement with Cara Trading Advisors.We’ll announce it when we can. It may be of interest to people in many countries. The bottom line is that (i) you own the account (ii) your broker is the administrator (iii) I help you avoid risk and make profits.
For many reasons, not the least of which is my regard for the regulatory system of the many countries where members of the Cara Community reside – well over 100 countries -- I will keep the new Cara Trading Advisory website separate from the Cara Community website/free blog. As we convert our systems to new servers, there may be a small overlap, but this will be remedied in May.
Soon, the right sidebar will have a link to a Confidential Client Profile and Risk Tolerance Questionnaire. Any of you who wish to use it as a basis of personal and confidential discussions with me; I’ll read it and call you anywhere in the world, without obligation, on my dime as they say.
Since then, the compliance department at Interactive Brokers has overridden the sales department, and management is in the process of changing their website to say essentially that Americans can only deal with Americans in financial matters unless they do it through an International Business Company or Offshore Trust. That’s fine, but these legal maneuvers are costly for the average person. And, I suppose that Accredited Investors in capital market securities and Qualified Eligible Participants in futures can deal with non-Americans.
It appears that Professor Fed Head and Mr. Moral Hazard Treasury Secretary have drawn a ring fence around America. The same thing is happening in Europe.
“Iron Curtain Redux”--this is an interesting situation in that as governments of the leading economies are going bankrupt owing to their own incompetence, they now wish to drag their people under too.
On a more positive note, I received a nice letter from someone who brought my attention to the work of Dr. Pamela Reid.
Dear Bill:
I very much enjoy reading your blog each day - however I am writing to you about a different matter on the assumption that you, or some of your colleagues in the Bahamas, are interested in Islands' the fabulous marine environment.
In that regard, I pass along the name and websites of Dr. Pamela Reid who is an eminent marine scientist at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (which I attended, long ago). Much of her work is conducted in the Bahamas where she operates a research station on one of the out islands. She is also currently overseeing the production of a gorgeous "coffee table" book on Bahamian marine life which may be of interest to you.
As you no doubt appreciate these types of research and artistic ventures can always use the support and advice of successful people in the private sector and, for that reason, I thought I would notify you of the important and beautiful work she and her team are doing. I suspect she would be very pleased to discuss with you what she is doing and what she hopes to accomplish, and I think knowledge and support of her projects might make your commitment to the Bahamas even more satisfying to you.
I have no connection to these projects or Dr. Reid other than that of a duly impressed spectator, but I have traveled the Bahamas myself and can appreciate the emotional response to its natural beauty that, I believe, underlies your comments in your blog.
http://tropicbirds.org/http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/divs/mgg/People/Faculty/Reid/
Best regards,
(anon protected)
I replied:
Thank you. I'll definitely look into it and keep in touch.
Regarding the emotional commitment, I think whenever anybody who so intensely focuses on a challenging subject like capital markets as I do, an equal balance is required in order to maintain an even keel.
For a couple years when my parents were dieing, I used the blog to delve into the affairs at Stelco. After my parents passed, I started to focus on more positive matters, like a book and now Bahamas. So, whether or not anybody else really cares about what I do (I think they do), the Bahamas is that required balance in my life today-- the yin and yang.
I have been thinking for some time that Bahamas needs a school for teaching Taoist traditions and concepts, which if I participated would take me one step closer to a happy life. Action, as Tao Master Casey Kochmer, reminded me the day (Jan. 28) he became a Caraista:
Bill your discussion today was spot on right.I have been quietly reading your discussions for a year now and your insights are very keen.
As Taoist Master I watch the market like a fractal pattern in which humanity reveals its fears and expectations within. It also reveals quite a bit about the power structure of the world.
You are right that instead of smart financial choices we are now seeing fundamental power shifts occurring. The Bank of America decision was such an event. In that I suspect this current administration will cut them a deal for helping to "save" the market from a short term panic... Gads it makes one ill and it all comes at a social cost to each of us.
The bigger question is always how we make a difference for our lives to be better. I only teach people how to be themselves. In this I have no wisdom how to handle the financial market as money is about power and not really about how to be yourself. In Taoism we detach from money due to the attachment issues it creates. And detaching from money is not an acceptable path from a modern American perspective. So another way has to exist also.
Which leads to my question to you:
How would you propose making a difference socially while working as an intelligent day trader?That is a very difficult question and one I have yet to see a good answer for.
I always imagine creating smart investment communities or socially active corporations which focuses its investments towards social gains. But the existing socially aware groups almost always get trapped by the power of money and then absorbed into the general power structure. Or they don't have enough of understanding of the market inter dynamics to truly make a difference.
So I applaud your statement today. But you need to follow it with more than just the words, what would the action be to support your words?
I hope this makes sense? I would love to see your answer.
Thanks and excellent blog!
Casey, maybe we’ll build the school or write a book together.
Enjoy your day. It is a holiday weekend (Whit Monday) here. The Mothers are also happy.
Posted by Posted by Bill Cara on May 11, 2008 05:04:21 PM | Category: Cara Week in Review






















