Intraday Commentary ~ 7/15/08

3:49pm
Remember, INTC reports after the close today. Usually, they report between 4:10 and 4:15pm.

3:44pm
ES has moved lower into its 50 moving average at 1219.

3:30pm
Double top formation on the ES.

3:26pm
Financials seeing some selling pressure here as the XLF goes back into negative territory again.

3:23pm
ES hanging in there above the 200 moving average. The S&P is positive by about a point. A positive close will be a bullish sign and something to build on tomorrow.

3:04pm
Market internals still ugly, with decliners leading advancers 2:1.

2:59pm
Seeing some buyers step up here. Volume picking up some.

2:50pm
Just wanted to point out the NASDAQ’s outperformance today. The S&P is flat, while the NASDAQ is up 26 points, or 1.2%.

2:45pm
The ES is consolidating under its 200 moving average and the table is set for a rally. But the longer buyers hesitate, the more likely it is that the bears take us down again.

2:31pm
Financials seeing some buying here, with the XLF trading higher by more than 1%. The ES is testing the 200 moving average once again.

2:08pm
The XLF is moving back and forth between positive and negative territory. If financials cannot hold onto their gains, this rally is unlikely to have any legs.

1:59pm
The volume is drying up here as we approach the 2:00 hour. 30 minutes left in crude trading, which is currently trading lower by more than $7.

1:32pm
The XLF volume is already greater than its previous highest volume day ever, and its only 1:35. This is another factor supporting the case that a bottom is being put in.

1:23pm
ES pulling back here upon the 1st hit of the 200 moving average. This is to be expected. The volume on the pullback is light so far.

1:03pm
ES now rallying above the 200 moving average.

12:44pm
The ES just made a virtual hit (within 60 cents) of the 200 moving average.

12:32pm
Oil remains weak and financials are holding gains so far. The ES is rallying slowly towards its 200 moving average which sits at 1230.40. The first hit of the 200 should serve as resistance. The Dow and NASDAQ are now positive on the day.

12:02pm
Buying in XLF on decent volume.

12:00pm
The market is rallying toward session highs, being led by a rebound in financials. The XLF is up .8% on the day. WB just moved into positive territory.

11:47am
ES fighting to hold its 20 moving average. Volume light on this pullback. Dead cat bounce in oil, now trading above 139. It’s low today was 136.23.

11:33am
Oil bouncing off the lows, near 139. The ES is pulling back into its 20 moving average at 1214.

11:27am
This selling in oil is significant in its movement and volume. It is trading under 136.50 and cannot seem to bounce. The M top we highlighted in our video is coming to fruition. Big money is rotating out of oil and energy related stocks. Could oil’s top coincide with a stock market bottom? Maybe, but we want to wait for confirmation before taking this market long.

11:06am
Market staging a nice rally here as oil falls apart. Oil trading under 137 with the selling picking up here.

11:03am
Crude now under 141.

10:55am
Crude still falling, now under 143. ES bouncing higher into its 20 moving average at 1213. Volume not particularly strong on ths bounce.

10:45am
Oil selling off hard now below 144. Market attempting to rally off the lows. LEH looks to be setting up for a rally.

10:10am
The SPX bounced off 1200 (1200.44 to be exact).

10:08am
Oil selling off below 145 after Bernanke’s downgrade of the US economy. VIX got as high as 30.79.

10:03am
Bernanke’s comments show that the Fed’s priority is financial stability. The chances of a rate hike in the next 2 meetings is now zero, according to the futures. I think a rate cut may be on the table.

10:00am
Bernanke’s comments released. Market making new lows. VIX now above 30 to 30.14.

9:55am
ES testing the lows 1210.25.

9:53am
XLF just made a fresh session low at 17.09. The VIX has moved up to 29.75.

9:47am
The ES is finding resistance at its 50 moving average at 1218.

9:45am
We are seeing some financials stocks doing ok: WM up 11%, LEH up 5%, STT up 3% after earnings, and GS is near the flat line.

9:41am
Financials struggling near the lows: FRE down 27%, FNM down 20%, NCC down 16%, WB down 12%.

9:36pm
The VIX is at a new high, but still under 30 at 29.46.

9:33am
Financials still getting crushed. XLF just made at new low at 17.28, down more than 2%.

9:07am
The S&P futures (ES) are trading considerably lower to 1217, though off its morning low at 1210.25. Oil is higher by 80 cents, to 146.58, but off its high at 146.73.

9:00am
June PP! came in hot at 1.8% v 1.4% expectation, but stripping out food and energy, it came in at .2% v .3% expectation. This data is tame and may allow the Fed to keep rates low throughout the rest of the year as inflation is not spreading into other areas. USB earnings missed but the revenues beat. STT earnings beat. JNJ earnings beat. GM announced restructuiring plans to boost capital.  Bernanke is speaking at 10am, President Bush will speak on housing at 10:20, Paulson speaks 2:15, and INTC reports after the bell.

About Craig

Stubborn Bear from Boston